Abstract: An optical transducer comprises a light source for emitting radiant energy, a base member, and an elongate light collector positioned for receiving radiant energy from the light source. The elongate light collector comprises a tunnel formed in the base member and a collector window that extends along a length of the tunnel. Radiant energy projected by the light source is received in the tunnel through the window and is transmitted along a length of the tunnel. A portion of the transmitted radiant energy exits the tunnel to thereby vary the intensity of light along the tunnel length. At least one photosensor is positioned for detecting the amount of radiant energy at a location in the tunnel. In this manner, the intensity of radiant energy at the tunnel location is indicative of at least relative position between the incident radiant energy and the at least one photosensor.

Abstract: An optical transducer includes a light source, a fluorescent-doped fiber optic spaced from the light source for receiving radiant energy from the light source, and a light blocking member interposed between the fiber optic and the light collector. A photosensor is positioned adjacent each end of the fiber optic. The light blocking member extends between the light source and at least a portion of the fiber optic for blocking at least a portion of the radiant energy from the fiber optic. The light blocking member is movable with respect to the fiber optic in response to an applied force on the light blocking member for varying the position of the radiant energy incident on the fiber optic to thereby vary the amount of radiant energy transmitted to the fiber optic ends. With this arrangement, the amount of radiant energy received by the fluorescent-doped fiber optic and detected by the photosensor is indicative of the applied force.

Abstract: A variable resistance device comprises an inner elongate, flexible electrode having a longitudinal central axis, at least one outer electrode spaced from the inner electrode and at least partially or completely surrounding the inner elongate electrode to form a gap therebetween. The outer electrode has a longitudinal axis that is at least substantially coaxial with the central axis of the inner elongate electrode. An electroviscous fluid is positioned in the gap between the inner and outer electrodes. An electric field applied to the electroviscous fluid between the inner and outer electrodes causes an increase in the stiffness of the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the outer electrode is also flexible to form a flexible resistance device, the stiffness of which can be controlled by the application of the electric field. In a further embodiment, an enclosed chamber is filled with an electroactive fluid and a piston assembly is mounted for reciprocal movement in the chamber.

Abstract: An optical detector for determining the degree of translucency of a medium includes an elongate collector that gathers radiant energy along its length and transmits the gathered energy to its ends. A sensor is positioned in proximity to at least one of the collector ends to detect the amount of radiant energy received by the collector. The amount of radiant energy received by the collector and transmitted to the sensor is proportional to the degree of average translucency of the medium. In one embodiment, the medium is a filter and the degree of detected translucency is directly proportional to the degree of filter contamination. In another embodiment, the medium is a liquid and the degree of detected translucency is directly proportional to liquid level. The collector is preferably formed from one or more fluorescent-doped fiber optics.