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:
Apr. 18, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 15, 2004
Kenneth A. Langland, Seattle, WA (US);
Kenneth A. Langland, Seattle, WA (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A system for sensing the presence of nearby objects includes an emitter-detector assembly and retroreflector. The emitter-detector assembly has a light emission area from which light is transmitted toward the retroreflector. The retroreflector returns that light to a light detection area of the emitter-detector assembly which produces a signal indicating an unbroken light path. Objects passing near the assembly interrupt the light path thereby providing an indication of their presence. The light emission area and the light detection area are concentric to each other which enables the light detection area to have close proximity to the light emission area. That parameter optimizes response to light from the retroreflector, while minimizing response to light reflected by other objects.