Scientific Technology, Inc.

Anthony Ross Lazzara

Paul Franklyn Key

Housing for photoelectric sensor and control circuit responsive thereto

A relay for electromagnetic radiation occurring in the optical portion of the electromagnetic spectrum has a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver senses a propagated beam of electromagnetic radiation providing a signal corresponding thereto which is shaped in an electrical circuit and provided as an excitation signal to the transmitter. An audio alignment feature is included providing audio indications for alignment of the receiver with the beam of electromagnetic radiation which is to be relayed. The transmitter is directionally adjustable to provide a relayed beam of electromagnetic radiation in a direction different from the received beam. The method includes aligning the receiver with the beam of electromagnetic radiation and converting the received electromagnetic radiation beam to a corresponding electrical signal in the receiver. The method further includes exciting the electromagnetic radiation transmitter with the corresponding electrical signal so that the range of the received electromagnetic radiation beam is extended to include the sum of the ranges of the received and transmitted beams.

Optical relay

A detector for marks having a color which contrasts with the mark background employs a solid state light source projecting a light beam having a plurality of wave length components corresponding to a plurality of colored light wave lengths. The light beam may approach the appearance of white light. A pulse modulated detector or sensor is used for receiving light reflected from colored surfaces having contrasting colored marks thereon, wherein high ambient light level rejection is obtained and high signal to noise ratio is provided in a sensor output. The sensor output is gated to eliminate between pulse noise, and the gated output is integrated to obtain a reference signal to which the gated pulse is continuously compared. An increase or decrease in signal is used to provide a light or dark mark indication respectively as a result of the comparison. Feedback from the output suppresses signal instability which may exist at the edges of the detection threshold. Since the comparator reference is self-adjusting to the background condition on the surface carrying the marks, the detection capability is dependent upon detector sweep speed relative to the surface.

Color mark detector

Color mark detector with pulsed source and synchronous demodulation

A direct replacement for mechanical relays without requirement for modification of associated circuitry and circuit connections. A standard relay base having a standard relay pin configuration is utilized for mating with a standard relay socket connected to the associated circuit. A control circuit is mounted on the base and connected to the relay pins and the base. A cover is provided which fits over the base and contains the control circuit. The cover has externally accessible cover terminals mounted therein connected to the control circuit. A remote heat sink is provided for mounting remotely from the relay base and socket for carrying a solid state triac device having a gate and first and second main terminals connected by electrical conductors to the cover terminals. The control circuit is configured to receive a command input signal and a power input signal. The command input signal enables the control circuit, so that the power input signal provides a trigger output coupled to the triac gate. In this fashion, the command input signal controls current between the first and second main terminals of the triac when a load voltage is impressed thereacross.

Solid state replacement for a mechanical relay

A photoelectric sensor includes a photodetector, a lens, and a light source all mounted within a framework for holding the lens with the photodetector and light source located on the central axis of the lens. The photodetector is positioned on the rear side of the lens within the framework at approximately the lens focal point. The light source is positioned to emit light away from the front side of the lens. Structure in the form of an opaque collar is provided for mounting the light source relative to the lens to prevent impingement of spurious light from the light source upon the lens. An object positioned in front of the lens intercepts the emitted light from the light source and reflects it back toward the lens, whereupon it is directed to the photodetector. A signal indicative of the presence of the object is provided by the photodetector responsive to the reflected light.

Growing community of inventors

Portola Valley, CA, United States of America

Anthony Ross Lazzara