Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Patent
1984-10-24
1986-02-18
Nelms, David C.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
250221, G01N 2186
Patent
active
045714983
ABSTRACT:
An article sensor which defines an opening through which articles to be measured are propelled in a non-supported condition. Bounding the opening are at least two mutually perpendicular arrays of light sources and of photodetectors. The photodetectors constitute the inputs to a microprocessor controlled circuit so that the number and identity of photodetectors that are obscured by a passing article can be determined rapidly thereby enabling plural measurements of articles dimensions to be made during traversal of a single article. The microprocessor can be programmed to compute the volume of an article, the weight of an article or virtually any other characteristic of an article. A circuit for controlling and interrogating the photodetectors which permits interrogation of the photodetectors at a rate corresponding to that at which the microprocessor operates. The circuit in a first phase of operation senses the voltage drop across the phototransistor without significantly discharging current carriers from the base of the transistor and in a second phase totally discharges the base in preparation for a succeeding measurement so that determination of the condition of the photodetectors is achieved rapidly and accurately.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3764813 (1973-10-01), Clement et al.
patent: 4160599 (1979-07-01), Sperrazza
patent: 4267443 (1981-05-01), Carroll et al.
Hagan James C.
Hagan Owen C.
Hagan Engineering, Inc.
Nelms David C.
Olson Thomas H.
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