Geometrical instruments – Indicator of direction of force traversing natural media – Level or plumb – terrestrial gravitation responsive
Patent
1984-06-13
1986-05-27
Smith, Robert I.
Geometrical instruments
Indicator of direction of force traversing natural media
Level or plumb, terrestrial gravitation responsive
G01C 910
Patent
active
045906807
ABSTRACT:
A device is disclosed for sensing information relating to the orientation of a selected direction or plane with respect to the horizontal. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a housing (40), a vial (70) mounting in the housing, a source of electromagnetic radiation (62, 64), sensors (66, 68) and associated electronic circuitry, and a rail (12) for positioning the housing. The vial is elongated along a central longitudinal axis and is partially filled with liquid (72) to form a bubble (74) in the vial. The source of radiation is positioned in a housing plane to one side of the vial such that radiation passes through the vial and forms a shadow of the bubble on the other side of the vial. The shadow is detected by the sensors, and the associated electronic circuitry produces an output signal having a characteristic related to the bubble position along the longitudinal axis. The rail is adapted to position the housing with respect to a selected direction such that the housing is vertical and the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the vial with respect to the selected direction is known. The electronic circuitry is preferably adapted to produce an output signal corresponding to the difference between the signals provided by the sensors. A further embodiment is disclosed that is capable of sensing information relating to the orientation of a selected plane. In such further embodiment, the bubble (230) is contained in a chamber (226) beneath an inwardly concave upper wall (228), and the shadow (240) of the bubble is projected onto a two-dimensional sensor array (234).
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Bujack Kurt W.
Hanchett Michael T.
Stone Patrick B.
Strand Monte S.
Smith Robert I.
Technical Designs Incorporated
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