Other

Ams Ag

Tom Dunn

Yu Albert Wang

David Mehrl

Kerry Glover

Greg Stoltz

Phil A Parker

Philip A Parker

Jon Harms

Martin Epstein

Richard McMasters

Yu Wang

An optical sensor arrangement comprises an optical barrier which is placed between a light-emitting device and a photodetector. Herein the light-emitting device and the photodetector are arranged on a first plane and are covered by a cover. The photodetector exhibits an active zone. The optical barrier exhibits an extent along a first principal axis, which is pointing parallel to the line connecting the centers of the light-emitting device and the photodetector. Herein the extent is greater than a dimension of the active zone. The optical barrier is designed to block light emitted by the light-emitting device that otherwise would be reflected by the cover by means of specular reflection and would reach the photodetector. The optical barrier is designed to pass light emitted by the light-emitting device and scattered on or above an outer surface of the cover.

Optical sensor arrangement with optical barrier for passing light emitted by light emitting device and scattered on or above an outer surface of cover

An optical proximity sensor often emits light, and detects the photons in the returned light signal. Because light can be reflected and scattered by cover glass and ink layer printed on the cover glass, optical crosstalk is a concern for the optical proximity sensors. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an optical proximity sensor including a linear polarizer to cover the photo detector, or a polarizer to cover the light emitting device, or two polarizers to cover both the photo detector and the light emitting device. The polarizer blocks the s-polarized light and only allows the p-polarized light to pass through. Because the scattered light is predominated by the s-polarization, the optical crosstalk may be reduced.

System and method for using a linear polarizer to reduce optical crosstalk for optical proximity sensors

A Halbach array is radially disposed in an environment optimized for efficiency and controlled for efficient generation and use of power in order to generate, establish, and maintain a desired level of rotational energy with enhanced efficiency.

Electro-motive machine using Halbach array

A combination utility controller and service panel having an outer overall enclosure with a lockable door for limiting access thereto to authorized persons. Within the overall enclosure are two sub-regions that are separated from each other by gas-tight paneling. One of these sub-regions (i.e., a service region) contains at least one electrically-operated (e.g., solenoid-operated) valve that is serially connected within service utilities (e.g., water or gas) piping so as to control flow therethrough. The other sub-region (i.e., a utility controller region) contains electrical controls for controlling the valve(s) and communicating with other services such as an auxiliary monitoring system (e.g., a fire alarm system). Digital electronics capability is employed and facilitates provision of numerous features including: emergency shut down by anyone while permitting reset only by authorized personnel; modular construction so as to facilitate initial installation of the overall enclosure including the aforementioned service region followed subsequently (if desired) by addition of the utility controller module. Paneling and gasketing provide separate integrity of the subregions so that they may be included within the same overall enclosure while providing for safety from leakage

Service panel with utility controller

A utility controller and a service panel combination for limiting access to authorized persons. A sub-region of the service panel contains at least one electrically-operated (e.g., solenoid-operated) valve that is connected to service utilities (e.g., water or gas) piping so as to control flow there-through. Another sub-region (i.e., a utility controller region) contains electrical controls for controlling the valve(s) and communicating with other services such as a remote transmitter, or an auxiliary monitoring system (e.g., a fire alarm system). The controller facilitates provision of numerous features including: emergency shutdown by anyone while permitting reset only by authorized personnel; modular construction so as to facilitate installation of the system. Various jumper terminals and connecting wires provide for programming of the system to accommodate a variety of applications.

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Tom Dunn