The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 21, 1989
Filed:
Jul. 06, 1987
Robert A Falk, Renton, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
An angular reflectance sensor having no moving parts and capable of the essentially simultaneous measurement of the reflectivity of a surface at a plurality of angles. The sensor comprises a quarter pitch graded index lens (78) having first end face (82) and second end face (84) and an optical axis (86). Light is coupled from an optical source (72) to an input position (88) on the first end face. A plurality of detectors are provided, each detector having associated therewith an output position (97-99) on the first end face. Each detector comprises a photodetector (74-76) and a fiber optic cable (94-96) for coupling light from the associated output position to the photodetector. The second end face of the lens is positioned adjacent a surface. Light reflected from the surface at a particular angle is focused by the lens to a particular output position, and thus to a particular photodetector.