Instrument for non-contact infrared temperature measurement combined with tachometer functions

A handheld instrument that accomplishes non-contact infrared (IR) temperature measurement and the measurement of movement of an object, comprising:

• a case;
• a light source carried by the case and adapted to shine light along a light axis from the case onto the object being measured;
• a photo detector carried by the case and adapted to capture light shone on and reflected from the object being measured and generating an output signal in response;
• a direct movement-sensing device coupled to the case and operable to be placed against an object being measured, the direct movement sensing device comprising a shaft having a distal end, the shaft adapted to be rotated by the object being measured, and further comprising a friction structure coupled to the distal end of the shaft, for placement on the object being measured, the direct movement sensing device generating an output signal based on the sensed movement;
• an IR detector carried by the case, for sensing IR energy emitted from a surface being measured along an IR-sensing axis that extends from the case, and generating an output signal;
• pulse shaping circuitry for shaping the output of the photo detector and the output of the direct movement sensing device;
• means for converting sensed IR energy to a temperature value, and for converting the output signal from the movement-sensing device and the output signal from the photo detector to at least a measured movement value;
• and
• a display device in the case, for displaying instrument measurements to the user.