Optics: measuring and testing – Angle measuring or angular axial alignment – Plural scales or different portions of same scale...
Reexamination Certificate
2009-11-30
2011-12-13
Stafira, Michael P (Department: 2886)
Optics: measuring and testing
Angle measuring or angular axial alignment
Plural scales or different portions of same scale...
Reexamination Certificate
active
08077303
ABSTRACT:
A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member up to a maximum displacement angle. The sensor may include a first and a second disk, each of which have an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. The first disk may be coupled to the first rotatable member; and the second disk may be coupled to the second rotatable member. A lighting system may direct light toward the first and the second disks with an orientation that causes an annular illumination pattern to be cast upon an optical sensing array which corresponds to a composite of a portion of the first and the second annular patterns and which spans an angle that is less than or equal to the maximum displacement angle. An optical sensing array may provide signals indicative of the annular illumination pattern. The optical sensing array may have a length which is not substantially greater than the width of the annular illumination pattern cast upon the optical sensing array.
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PCT Application No. PCT/US2010/055140 (corresponds to WO 2011/066066 A2), filed Nov. 2, 2010, entitled “Rotation and Differential Angle Optical Sensors,” International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, dated Jun. 16, 2011.
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BI Technologies Corporation
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
Stafira Michael P
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