Altimeter-encoder

A digital encoder adapted to be mounted in an altimeter having frame structure with a pneumatic aneroid bellows mounted thereon responsive to altitude, an indicator mounted on said frame structure for visually indicating altitude and a gear train mounted on said frame structure operatively interconnecting said bellows and indicator, said encoder including the combination of

• a first portion and a second portion, said portions being adapted to be mounted on the frame structure in said altimeter,
• a drive gear on said first portion, said drive gear being adapted to mesh with the gear train and be driven thereby when said first portion is mounted upon said frame structure,
• an encoder disc on said first portion, said encoder disc being operatively interconnected with said drive gear and rotatably driven thereby,
• data codings on said disc, said codings being calibrated to correspond to altitude,
• a sensor on said first portion positioned adjacent said disc for scanning the data codings thereon, said sensor being effective to produce electrical signals corresponding to the codings on said disc, and
• data processing means on said second portion operatively interconnecting said sensor, said data processing means being effective to produce digital altitude signals.

An encoder adapted to be mounted in an altimeter having an altitude responsive device, an altitude indicator and a drive train operatively interconnecting said device with said indicator, said encoder including the combination of

• a frame,
• a pair of jewel housings on said frame forming a pair of aligned bushings for being rotatably mounted on said altimeter, said housing being axially aligned and including axially aligned jewels,
• a shaft rotatably mounted on said jewels,
• a drive gear mounted on said shaft, said drive gear being adapted to mesh with said drive train and driven thereby,
• an encoder disc mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, said encoder disc being calibrated to correspond to altitude, and
• a sensor mounted on said frame and positioned to scan the calibrations on said disc, and produce signals representing altitude.

A digital encoder adapted to be mounted in an altimeter having a support assembly with a pneumatic aneroid bellows mounted thereon responsive to altitude, an indicator mounted on said support assembly for visually indicating altitude and a drive mounted on said support assembly operatively interconnecting said bellows and indicators, said encoder including the combination of

• a first portion adapted to be mounted on said support assembly at a first location,
• a second portion adapted to be mounted on the altimeter at a second location,
• a frame in said first portion adapted to be rotatably mounted on said support assembly at said first location,
• a take-off gear rotatably mounted on said frame and adapted to mesh with the drive train and be driven thereby when said frame in said first portion is mounted upon said support assembly,
• an encoder disc coupled to said take-off gear and rotatably driven thereby,
• data codings on said disc calibrated to correspond to altitude,
• means scanning the data codings and producing electrical signals corresponding to the codings on said disc, and
• data processing means on said second portion operatively interconnecting said means and effective to produce digital altitude signals.

An altimeter adapted to receive an altitude encoder having a housing, a photo-optical data disc in said housing, a drive gear in said housing for driving said data disc, a photo-optical sensor for scanning said disc and data processing means coupled to said sensor for producing digitally coded altitude signals, said altimeter including the combination of

• an outer case,
• a frame assembly rotatably disposed inside of said case,
• an aneroid bellows responsive to altitude mounted on said frame assembly,
• a spacer mounted on one end of said frame assembly, said spacer being adapted to receive said housing,
• a plate assembly mounted on said spacer, said plate assembly forming a barometric gear,
• an altitude dial calibrated to represent altitude,
• a visual indicator positioned adjacent said dial, said indicator being arranged to register with the calibrations thereon to thereby indicate altitude,
• a drive train mounted on said frame assembly, said drive train being operatively interconnected with said aneroid bellows and with said visual indicator,
• means in said drive train positioned in said spacer adjacent said visual indicator and adapted to drive the data disc.

An altimeter encoder including the combination of

• a frame assembly,
• an aneroid bellows responsive to altitude mounted on said frame assembly,
• a spacer member mounted on said frame assembly,
• a barometric gear mounted on said spacer member,
• an altitude scale,
• a visual indicator arranged to register with said scale and indicate altitude,
• a gear train mounted on said frame assembly said gear train being operatively interconnected with said aneroid bellows and with said visual indicator,
• a drive gear in said gear train adjacent said indicator,
• an encoder housing mounted on said frame assembly,
• a photo-optical data disc rotatably mounted on a shaft in said housing,
• a gear on said shaft for driving said data disc,
• said last mentioned gear being operably connected to said gear train,
• and a sensor in said housing for scanning said disc and producing digitally coded altitude signals.

An altimeter encoder including the combination

• an outer case,
• an altimeter mechanism in said case,
• an encoder mechanism in said case,
• a support structure in said altimeter mechanism rotatably disposed inside of said case,
• an aneroid bellows responsive to altitude mounted on said support structure,
• an altitude dial calibrated to represent altitude,
• a visual indicator positioned adjacent said dial, said indicator being arranged to register with the calibrations thereon to thereby indicate altitude,
• a drive train mounted on said support structure, said drive train being operatively interconnected with said aneroid bellows and with said visual indicator,
• a frame in said encoder mechanism, said frame being rotatably mounted upon said support structure,
• a shaft on said frame,
• an encoder drive gear on said shaft engaging said drive train, a photo-optical data disc on said shaft to rotate therewith,
• a photo-optical sensor on said frame for scanning said disc, and
• data processing means coupled to said sensor for producing digitally coded altitude signals.

An altimeter encoder including the combination of

• a support structure,
• an aneroid bellows responsive to altitude mounted on said first section,
• visual indicator means mounted on said support, said indicator being calibrated and arranged to visually indicate altitude,
• a gear train operatively interconnected with said aneroid bellows and said visual indicator whereby said indicator is responsive to altitude,
• a drive gear in said gear train disposed adjacent said indicator,
• an encoder means including
• a photo-optical data disc,
• an encoder gear for driving said data disc,
• a sensor for scanning said disc and producing digitally coded altitude signals, and
• mounting means in said section for retaining said encoder means therein, said encoder gear meshing with said drive gear.

In an altimeter encoder means, the combination of:

• a frame assembly;
• an altimeter means mounted on said frame assembly and including
• an aneroid bellows responsive to altitude,
• an indicator means spaced from said aneroid bellows,
• and gear train means interconnecting said aneroid bellows and said indicator means,
• said gear train means including a shaft having an encoder pinion gear thereon,
• and a hollow spacer member between said aneroid bellows and said indicator means;
• and an encoder means rotatably mounted about an encoder axis within said hollow spacer member and including
• an encoder frame,
• an encoder driven gear on said encoder axis normally in meshed engagement with said encoder pinion gear,
• said shaft carrying said encoder pinion gear carrying a drive gear engaged with a pinion gear for driving said indicator means.