Opcon Incorporated

Robert J Jackson

Scott M Juds

A photoelectric alignment indicator that includes two indicators (10) and (11) and a photoelectric receiver (2) is disclosed. A housing (3) houses the indicators (10) and (11) and the photoelectric receiver (2). One indicator (10), formed by a collimating lens (10b) and LED (10a), is mounted adjacent to the photodetector (9) of the photoelectric receiver (2) and transmits visible energy (12) into substantially the same field as the field of view of the photodetector collimating lens (9b). The second indicator (11) is mounted on the rear surface (8) of the photoelectric receiver housing (3), opposite the receiver photodetector (9) and emits visible energy (12) viewable from the end of the photoelectric receiver (2) remote from the transmitter (1). Alignment of the photoelectric transmitter (1) with the photoelectric receiver (2) allows the light (13) from the light source (15) of the photoelectric transmitter (1) to illuminate the receiver photodetector (9), energizing the indicators (10) and (11). The end result are alignment indicting signals that are viewable from both the photoelectric transmitter (1) and the photoelectric receiver (2).

Long range, thru-beam photoelectric alignment indicator

A compressed analog signal strength indicator that produces a light signal proportional in intensity to the relative alignment of an associated photoelectric transmitter and photoelectric receiver pair is disclosed. A sensor (10) detects a light signal (18) received from the associated photoelectric transmitter and produces an electrical signal. A nonlinear circuit (12) compresses the electrical signal and supplies an output to a peak hold circuit (13), which controls the current flow to an indicator (14). A threshold detection loop, which includes: a demodulator (15); an integrator (16); and, a comparator (17), senses the amplified signal of sensor (10) and produces a noticeable step increase in the brightness of the indicator (14) when the light signal (18) is first detected by the sensor (10).

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Bothell, WA, United States of America

Robert J Jackson