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US 4,936,681 AGranted
Optical sensor
OwnerWolfgang Ruhrmanninventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerWolfgang Ruhrmanninventor
Estimating the term…
An optical sensor for converting a physical value into an electric output signal comprises a light source from which a beam of light rays is coupled into a first surface of a photoconductive body. The light rays are totally reflected by one boundary surface of, or coupled out from said body in response to a given physical value. The totally reflected light rays impinge upon a second face. A plurality of light-sensitive elements is provided for detecting the angular range .beta. covered by the beam after it has been totally reflected or coupled out, respectively. In order to enable the sensor to be adapted to a plurality of applications and in order to obtain reproducible, digitized output values, independently of any local disturbing factors or long-term phenomena, the body is designed as an elongated waveguide in which light rays are subjected to multiple total reflection. The light-sensitive elements are arranged at an axial distance h from a waveguide face. They form a surface of impingement for the beam of light rays emanating from the face. The elements are connected to an evaluation circuit comprising a counter which emits a digital output signal representative of the number of elements illuminated by the beam.
An optical sensor for converting a physical value into an electric output signal, comprising a light source from which a beam of light rays is coupled into a first surface of a photoconductive body, said light rays being totally reflected by one boundary surface of, or coupled out from said body in response to a given physical value and said totally reflected light rays being directed to a second face provided opposite said first face, and comprising further a plurality of light-sensitive elements for detecting an angular range .beta. covered by said beam after it has been fully reflected or coupled out, respectively, wherein said body takes the form of an elongated optical waveguide in which said light rays are subjected to multiple total reflection, said light-sensitive elements being arranged at an axial spacing h from an end face and forming a surface of impingement for a beam of light rays emanating from said end face, said elements being connected to an evaluation circuit comprising a counter emitting a digital output signal representative of the number of elements illuminated, or not illuminated by said light beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.