Vishay Semiconductor Gmbh

Vishay Infrared Components, Inc.

Robert Figueria

Manuel Schmidt

Thomas Pinto

A sensor arrangement, in particular as part of a reflection light barrier, includes a carrier as well as a photodiode, a first light emitting diode for emitting a measuring light beam, and a second light emitting diode for emitting a reference light beam, in particular a reference light beam pulsed offset in time with respect to the measuring light beam, arranged on the carrier, and further includes a light permeable housing enclosing the photodiode and the two light emitting diodes. The second light emitting diode is arranged on the carrier and in the housing such that the reference light emitted by it is essentially not incident on the side of the photodiode but rather is reflected internally in the housing to be incident onto an upper surface of the photodiode.

Sensor arrangement to prevent reference light incident on side of photodiode

An apparatus and method of making the same for sensing inclination. The apparatus includes a member moveably positioned in a body, the member moves in response to gravity between two positions if the body is rotated relative to an axis exceeding a certain amount. A detector can be used to detect when the member moves and can automatically report rotation. A method of making an inclinometer includes creating the body by laminating layers, where a layer is prefabricated to include an appropriate cut-out to guide the member between the two positions. Another layer or layers can include the detector. An aspect of the invention comprises having each layer include prefabricated features for multiple inclinometers, and then superposing the prefabricated layers, activating adhesive between them to form a lamination defining a plurality of inclinometers, and then separating the lamination into individual inclinometers.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Robert Figueria