Mechanical Technology Incorporated

Leo Hoogenboom

Curtis D Kissinger

Richard A Dorman

Gregory Hull-Allen

Robert L Jackson, Jr

Russell P Kraft

Alan M Offt

Samuel Fallek

A proximity sensor includes a bifurcated optic fiber bundle with a face and a projection lens for projecting an image on a target and a feedback control loop for maintaining said face at a preselected distance from the target for tracking. An oscillating device is provided which is disposed in the light path with fixed excursion between the face and the target and which generates an AC component in said sensor signal that is proportional to the deviation of the actual distance from the preselected distance, whereby the error signal is kept near zero.

Fiber optic displacement sensor with oscillating optical path length

In the present system, the thickness of an object with two surfaces is determined by forming two geometric images on the surfaces in a superimposed relationship. The images are viewed by two video cameras and their relative positions with respect to two corresponding references are determined. These relative positions are used to measure the thickness of the object.

Machine vision differential measurement system

An optical proximity detector including a set of transmitter fibers for directing light to a target and two sets of receiver fibers. One set of receiver fibers is combined with the transmitter fibers to from a central portion which is flanked by the second set of receiver fibers. Two light sensors and a signal processing circuit are also included to generate one output signal which is linear with respect to the distance to the target and is independent of the target reflectance. The detector is especially suited for monitoring targets having widths less than the diameter of the bundle, such as a turbine blade.

Fiber optic proximity sensors for narrow targets with reflectivity

A proximity sensor is disclosed having two bifurcate fiber optical bundles arranged in series. Light is directed at a target by the bundles and the reflected light from the target is transmitted to two different sensors. The output of the sensors is used to derive a differential control signal for tracking a target. One of the sensors picks up reflected light from the fibers which also transmit light to the target while the second sensor detects light from receiver fibers disposed around said transmitter fibers.

Fiber optic extender apparatus in a position servo loop

A proximity sensor is disclosed having two bifurcate fiber optical bundles arranged in parallel. Light is directed at a target by the bundles and the reflected light from the target is transmitted to two separate sensors. The output difference of the sensors is used to derive a control signal for tracking a target. The control signal has a null point and is used in a servo loop to keep the bundles at a constant distance from the target.

Fiber optic proximity sensor with feedback servo imaging means

A displacement measuring instrument for measuring the displacement of a target including in combination a fiber optic lens assembly including means for maintaining said assembly in space relation with said target, dither means for vibrating said assembly toward and away from said target about the lens null along the axis of said assembly, first electronic means for providing a first output voltage proportional to displacement of said assembly from said target, second electronic means cancelling that portion of said first output voltage resulting from displacement due to said dither means and providing a second voltage resulting from displacement due to means other than said dither means, servo means receiving said second output voltage and moving said assembly with respect to said target to null said second output voltage and measurement means measuring the movement of said servo means.

Precision optical displacement measuring instrument using servo

A fluid pressure regulator valve comprising a base member designed to be secured in a fluid conduit in a position to stop all fluid flow through the conduit with the regulator valve in a fully closed position. The base member has an orifice formed through it which is sized to determine the maximum fluid flow rate through the regulator valve with the valve in a fully open position. An elongated helically coiled spring member is secured to the base member and is designed so that its coils are compressed into engagement with each other so as to enclose the sides of the spring member in a fluid tight manner. The helically coiled spring member has a central open passageway with one end closed in a fluid-tight manner and the other open end secured over the orifice through the base member. A magnetically permeable armature is secured to the closed end of the helically coiled spring. An electromagnet is positioned adjacent the armature for producing lines of magnetic flux which thread the armature and cause it to flex the helically coiled spring so as to open spaces between the compressed coils comprising the enclosed sides of the spring and allow fluid flow through the regulator valve upon excitation current being supplied to the electromagnet. Pressure regulation is obtained by sensing the voltage required to open the valve. Comparison of the valve opening voltage to a reference voltage results in a change of the on-time versus off-time of the valve, if the two voltages are not within a specified interval of each other. The valve is intended for a wide flow control range and for digital operation.

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Ballston Lake, NY, United States of America

Leo Hoogenboom