Photoelectric switch
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsWilliam C. Sanford, Henry V. Fletcher, Trevor M. Laib
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A photoelectric switch is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the photoelectric switch includes at least one light source, a reflective surface provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to the at least one light source, a release button engaging the reflective surface and positional between first and second positions, a photocell provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to the reflective surface when the release button is disposed in the first position, a latch control circuit connected to the photocell and a latch connected to the latch control circuit. The light path incorporates a collimator to restrict operation of the system to the relationship of the light source and the retroreflector.
Claims20
A photoelectric switch, comprising:
- at least one light source;
- a reflective surface provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to said at least one light source;
- a release button engaging said reflective surface and positional between first and second positions;
- a photocell provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to said reflective surface when said release button is disposed in said first position;
- a latch control circuit connected to said photocell;
- and
- a latch connected to said latch control circuit.
A photoelectric switch, comprising:
- a stow bin having a stow bin housing defining a stow bin interior;
- a stow bin door pivotal with respect to said stow bin housing;
- a first receiver/transmitter and a second receiver/transmitter provided on said stow bin housing;
- a reflective surface provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to said first receiver/transmitter and
- a release button pivotally carried by said stow bin door and engaging said reflective surface and positional between first and second positions;
- wherein said first receiver/transmitter is provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to said reflective surface when said release button is disposed in said first position;
- wherein said second receiver/transmitter is provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to said reflective surface when said release button is disposed in said second position;
- a latch control circuit connected to said first receiver/transmitter and said second receiver/transmitter;
- and
- a latch connected to said latch control circuit.
A photoelectric switch, comprising:
- a stow bin having a stow bin housing defining a stow bin interior;
- a stow bin door pivotal with respect to said stow bin housing;
- at least one light source;
- a reflective surface provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to said at least one light source;
- a release button pivotally carried by said stow bin door and engaging said reflective surface and positional between first and second positions;
- a photocell provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to said reflective surface when said release button is disposed in said first position;
- a latch control circuit connected to said photocell;
- a latch connected to said latch control circuit;
- and
- wherein said at least one light source is adapted to illuminate said stow bin interior when said release button is disposed in said second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.