Linear variable reflector sensor and signal processor

• Main Authors: JEFFERS LARRY A, BERTHOLD JOHN W
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.10.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVEREDIN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; MEASURING; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS; MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEARDIMENSIONS; MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PHYSICS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; TESTING

Linear variable reflector sensors can be used to measure the displacement of objects. These sensors are useful in that they can be very small, do not conduct electricity, and are resistant to electrical interference from EMI/EMP and lightning strikes. The present linear variable reflector system comprises a light source, a light transmitting member in optical communication with the light source, a sensor in optical communication with the light transmitting member. The sensor comprises a moveable transparent body, a reflective material deposited on the transparent body, and at least one film deposited over said reflective material, wherein said reflective material reflects light. Further, the linear variable reflector system comprises a detector coupled to the sensor to detect displacement of the moveable transparent body.