Control Devices, Incorporated

Jonathan W Hill

Mark Cote

Jurgen Dorschky

Damon F Gentile

Richard Cook

Thomas E Harmon

Gregory A Morehead

Colin Robertson

Golf club head

An improved ambient light sensor is provided. Light passes to at least two photosensors with different peak response frequencies. A controller accepts output signals from the photosensors and operates vehicle systems (e.g., headlights or environmental controls ) accordingly. The controller may distinguish between natural and artificial light, so that headlights are illuminated while a vehicle passes through a well lit tunnel, or is exposed to lights from another vehicle.

Ambient light sensor

A sensor (,) for determining the magnitude and intensity of solar radiation. The apparatus includes a diffuser (,) which provides radiation through channels (,) within an elongated channeled member (,) onto photodiodes (,). Each photodiode (,) is optically isolated from other photodiodes. The diffuser (,) is arranged and constructed so as to receive radiation within 360 degrees of the surrounding environment.

Solar radiation sensor

A sensor (,) for detecting the approach and exit of a vehicle (,) to a tunnel (,). In one embodiment there is a sensor (,) with a photodiode (,) that receives light through an inclined channel (,) or aperture (,). The channel provides a field of view (,) ahead and above the vehicle. The photosensor (,) is thus sensitive to the change in light from this field of view (,) as a vehicle enters (,) and exits (,) a tunnel (,). Some embodiments of the present invention include a second photosensor (,) with a wider field of view (,) for detecting ambient light.

Tunnel sensor

The present invention relates to a dual zone solar sensor incorporating a calibratable diffuser overlying a vertically oriented circuit board having at least one photodetector affixed to either side of the circuit board in a vertical plane. Each detector preferably has a mutually exclusive hemispherical view. By mounting the photodetectors in the vertical plane, the dual zone solar sensor device is capable of providing information about the intensity of a source of incident solar radiation and the relative position of that source of radiation. While the angular responses of the photodetectors in their vertical orientation are very close to those desired by skilled artisans for a dual zone sensor, the addition of a diffuser that is slidable, and therefore calibratable, provides a method by which the angular response of each photodetector may be permanently calibrated to achieve a precise desired angular response. The present inventive combination of features eliminates the need for complex and bulky electronic signal processing circuitry and decreases the number of parts necessary to achieve functions previously achieved only by larger sensors having a far greater number of component parts.

Dual zone solar sensor

A twin beam displacement transducer. The transducer utilizes two thin, flexible beams. The two beams either lay intimately on top of one another or both lay intimately on opposite sides of a common spacer. One of the beams, the neutral beam, is rigidly attached to the housing on one end and to the moving object on the other end. The other beam, the sliding beam, is rigidly attached only to the moving object. The other end of the sliding beam is free to move. As the object moves, both the neutral beam and the sliding beam bend. Such bending causes longitudinal displacement of the free end of the sliding beam within the housing. This motion is measured and correlated to the motion of the object, and an electrical output signal is created which is proportional to such motion.

Twin beam displacement transducer

A photosensor which is capable of detecting the direction of incidence as well as the intensity of optical radiation. The detector comprises an array of photodetector cells arranged under a diffuser dome. The direction of incidence of the optical radiation can be determined by a comparison of the voltage outputs of each of the photodetectors in the array, these outputs being directly proportional to the amount of optical radiation falling upon each photodetector in the array. The intensity of the optical radiation can be determined by an analysis of the average output of the photodetector array.

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Scarborough, ME, United States of America

Jonathan W Hill