Optical data collection apparatus and method used with moving members

An apparatus for acquiring selected velocity information from a moving member and collecting that information at a fixed location for subsequent processing comprising:

• a source of radiant energy;
• first means for transmitting, at least a portion of the radient energy, to a location adjacent the moving member and for directing a portion thereof against a selected region of the moving member;
• means affixed to the selected region, for selectively reflecting the incident portion of the radiant energy;
• and
• means for detecting at least a part of the reflected radiant energy and for generating an electrical signal related to the velocity of the member;
• second means for transmitting the reflected radiant energy to the fixed location;
• and
• wherein said first and second means comprise a selected prism.

An apparatus for acquring selected information from a moving member and collecting that information at a fixed location for subsequent processing comprising:

• a source of radiant energy;
• first means for transmitting at least a portion of the radient energy to a location adjacent moving member and for directing a portion thereof against a selected region of the moving member;
• means affixed to the selected region for selectively reflecting the incident portion of the radiant energy;
• and
• second means for transmitting reflected radiant energy to the fixed location wherein said first and second means include a bidirectional, radiant energy transmitting member;
• means for detecting at least a part of the reflected radiant energy and for generating an electrical signal related to the velocity of the member;
• wherein the moving member to rotates with respect to the fixed location and wherein said reflecting means includes a circular, selectively reflecting ring affixed thereto with an end of said bidirectional member positioned adjacent said circular ring such that radiation energy transmitted through said member to said end impinges on at least a selected region of said ring with at least part of the incident radiant energy reflected back to said end and into said member
• with said detecting means including means for generating an electrical signal in response to the radiant energy reflected back into said member
• including means for comparing the generated electrical signal to a set-point signal and for generating an error signal in response thereto proportional to the rotational velocity of the moving member, said set-point signal corresponds to a desired rotational velocity
• wherein the moving member is rotated by an electrical motor and including first motor control means for causing the motor and the moving member to rotate at a first velocity in accordance with said set-point signal;
• including means for sensing an interface between two fluids being rotated within the member and wherein said interface sensing means includes an optically transparent region positioned in said ring.

An apparatus for acquiring selected information from a moving member and collecting that information at a fixed location for subsequent processing comprising:

• a source of radiant energy;
• first means for transmitting at least a portion of the radiant energy to a location adjacent moving member and for directing a portion thereof against a selected region of the moving member;
• means affixed to the selected region for selectively reflecting the incident portion of the radiant energy;
• and
• second means for transmitting reflected radiant energy to the fixed location wherein said first and second means include a bidirectional, radiant energy transmitting member;
• means for detecting at least a part of the reflected radiant energy and for generating an electrical signal related to the velocity of the member;
• wherein the moving member rotates with respect to the fixed location and wherein said reflecting means includes a circular, selectively reflecting ring affixed thereto with an end of said bidirectional member positioned adjacent said circular ring such that radiant energy transmitted through said member to said end impinges on at least a selected region of said ring with at least part of the incident radiant energy reflected back to said end and into said member
• with said detecting means including means for generating an electrical signal in response to the radiant energy reflected back into said member
• including means for comparing the generated electrical signal to a set-point signal and for generating an error signal in response thereto proportional to the rotational velocity of the moving member, said set-point signal corresponds to a desired rotational velocity
• wherein the moving member is rotated by an electrical motor and including first motor control means for causing the motor and the moving member to rotate at a first velocity in accordance with said set-point signal;
• said bidirectional member is mounted on a second rotating member, wherein the second rotating member is rotated by a second electric motor and including second motor control means for causing the second motor and second rotating member to rotate at a second velocity, different from said first velocity, wherein said first rotational velocity substantially corresponds to twice that of said second rotational velocity and said bidirectional member comprises a selected prism affixed to the second rotating member with and optical axis aligned with an axis of rotation thereof.

A method of acquiring selected information from a moving member adapted to carry and to separate a selected fluid into at least two components, the method comprising:

• moving the member;
• separating the fluid into at least two components with an interface therebetween;
• generating a beam of radiant energy;
• directing the beam of radiant energy at a selected region of themoving member adjacent the interface;
• selectively reflecting a portion of the beam to a fixed location;
• sensing the reflected beam;
• and
• generating an electrical signal related to the position of the interface in the region.

A stoboscope usable to sense relative movement between first and second rotating members comprising:

• a source of radiant energy;
• bidirectional means for transmitting radiant energy in a first direction and for rotating an image transmitted through said means, opposite said first direction, said means affixed to the first member and rotatable about an axis of rotation of the first member for transmitting the radiant energy in said first direction to a region of the second member and for transmitting a reflected image back through said means, opposite said first direction, while simultaneously rotating the image;
• and
• means for detecting the rotated image.

An apparatus for controlling the speed of rotation of an inner housing rotatably supported by an outer housing with the outer housing rotated by an outer electric motor and the inner housing rotated by an inner electric motor carried by the outer housing, the inner housing carrying a fluid to be separated into at least two components by the rotation, the apparatus comprising:

• a source of radiant energy;
• reflective means, affixed to the inner housing;
• means for transmitting at least a portion of the radiant energy to a region of the inner housing so as to be incident on said reflective means;
• means for sensing radiant energy reflected from said reflective means and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto;
• means for controlling the rotational velocity of the inner housing, with respect to the outer housing in response to the generated electrical signal and;
• means for sensing the presence of an interface between the two separated components.

An apparatus for controlling the speed of rotation of an inner housing rotatably supported by an outer housing with the outer housing rotated by an outer electrical motor and the inner housing rotated by an inner electric motor carried by the outer housing, the apparatus comprising:

• a source of of radiant energy;
• reflective means, affixed to the inner housing;
• means for transmitting at least a portion of the radiant energy to a region of the inner housing so as to be incident on said reflecting means;
• means for sensing radiant energy reflected from said reflective means and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto;
• means for controlling the rotational velocity of the inner housing, with respect to the outer housing in response to the generated electrical signal
• wherein said reflected means includes a first plurality of spaced apart reflective members forming a ring about an axis of rotation of the inner housing with said ring oriented with respect to said incident radiant energy such that said reflective members, one after the other, receive incident radiant energy as the inner housing is rotated
• including second means, affixed to said outer housing, for transmitting reflected radiant energy to said sensing means
• wherein said first and said second transmitting means comprise bidirectional means for transmitting radiant energy and
• wherein said bidirectional means includes a selected prism affixed to said outer housing and extending at least in part along an access of rotation of said outer housing.

An apparatus for controlling the speed of rotation of an inner housing rotatably supported by an outer housing with the outer housing rotated by an outer electrical motor and the inner housing rotated by an inner electric motor carried by the outer housing, the apparatus comprising:

• a source of of radiant energy;
• reflective means, affixed to the inner housing;
• means for transmitting at least a portion of the radiant energy to a region of the inner housing so as to be incident on said reflecting means;
• means for sensing radiant energy reflected from said reflective means and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto;
• means for controlling the rotational velocity of the inner housing, with respect to the outer housing in response to the generated electrical signal
• wherein said reflected means includes a first plurality of spaced apart reflective members forming a ring about an axis of rotation of the inner housing with said ring oriented with respect to said incident radiant energy such that said reflective members, one after the other, receive incident radiant energy as the inner housing is rotated
• including second means, affixed to said outer housing, for transmitting reflected radiant energy to said sensing means
• wherein said first and said second transmitting means comprise bidirectional means for transmitting radiant energy and
• wherein said bidirectional means includes a selected prism affixed to said outer housing and extending at least in part along an access of rotation of said outer housing.