Sperry Corporation

Michael S Briney

Harold L Swartz

Jeffrey C Heidel

An apparatus for sensing and measuring changes in inclination and providing a digital readout. By sensing pulse width changes rather than amplitude, the apparatus provides improved immunity to instability and environmental changes. A variable frequency scale factor oscillator allows choice of readout units. Any preset angle may be selected as a zero reference. The capability is provided to hold any reading displayed for any desired period of time. An overrange indicator is actuated when the linear range of the sensor has been exceeded. Digital output signals derived from the sensor are applied to gate an angle generator which is responsive to correction factor signals to adjust the digital count in accordance with stored offset data. The digital signal count is incremented or decremented in accordance with a signal representing the sign of inclination, derived from the sensor pulse widths and applied to gate the angle generator accordingly. The resulting digital count signal and sign signal are used to energize a display driver for actuating a liquid crystal display.

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Mesa, AZ, United States of America

Michael S Briney