Photo tachometer for a digital multimeter

• US 6,622,109 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2001
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GSLE Subco, LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Ermer, Corey, Tusa, David, Kochie, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, HIEN XUAN
• Application Number:
  US09/933,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20030040883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 702/145, 702/184, 702/187, 701/33, 701/99, 701/102, 324/174, 324/175, 324/207.25, 324/244.1
• US Class Current: 702/145
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/486 delivered by photo-electric detectors

Abstract

A apparatus for determining the rotational speed of an object or an assembly. The apparatus includes a device that emits a light as well as detect the light reflected from the measured object. A reflective surface is attached to the object to enable it to reflect the light from the device. The device is connected to an analyzer that reads the detected signal and display the results.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining a rotational speed of an object, comprising:

an analyzer comprising a display device and a plurality of receptacles for inserting a plurality of devices for measuring data;

a device for emitting and detecting light, wherein said device is linked to said analyzer through said plurality of receptacles, said device emits light in a direction of a rotating assembly, said light is reflected from said rotating assembly and detected by said device whereupon said light is converted to a signal, said signal is transmitted to said analyzer to determine the rotational speed; and

a reflective surface attached to said rotational assembly, said surface reflects said light towards said device whereupon it is detected and converted to a signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analyzer is a digital multimeter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said analyzer is an automotive tester.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said device is an optical transducer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reflective surface is reflective tape.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacles are female prong receptors.

7. A system for determining the rotational speed of an object comprising:

means for analyzing comprising a display means and means for connecting data measuring devices;

means for emitting and detecting a light, said means for emitting directs said light in a direction of a rotating assembly, said light is reflected from said rotating assembly and detected by said means for detecting; and

means for reflecting attached to said rotating assembly, said means for reflecting reflects said light in a direction of said means for detecting.

8. The system as in claim 7 wherein the means for analyzing is a digital mulitmeter.

9. The system as in claim 7 wherein the means for analyzing is a digital automotive tester.

10. The system as in claim 7 wherein the means for detecting and the means for emitting is an optical transducer.

11. The system as in claim 7 wherein the means for reflecting is reflective tape.

12. The system as in claim 7 wherein the means for connecting are female receptacles.

13. A method for determining the rotational speed of an object comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising a display device and a plurality of receptacles;

connecting a light emitting and detecting device to said plurality of receptacles;

attaching a reflective surface to a rotational assembly;

emitting a light towards said rotational assembly by said light emitting and detecting device;

reflecting said light by the reflective surface; and

directing said light towards said light emitting and detecting device.

14. The method as in claims 13 wherein said light emitting and detecting device is an optical transducer.

15. The method as in claim 13 wherein said apparatus is a digital multimeter.

16. The method as in claim 13 wherein said apparatus is a digital automotive tester.

17. The method as in claim 13 wherein said reflective surface is reflective tape.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein said plurality of receptacles are female receptacles.

19. A plug-in apparatus for a digital tester to determine rotational speed comprising:

a device emitting and detecting light in and from a direction of a rotational assembly wherein said device is linked to said digital tester; and

a reflective surface attached to said rotational assembly, wherein said light is reflected from said reflective surface of said rotational assembly towards said device, and wherein said reflected light is detected by said device and transmitted to said digital tester.

20. The plug-in apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said device is an optical transducer.

21. The plug-in apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said reflective surface is reflective tape.