Abstract: An optical static and dynamic torque sensor provides a measurement of torque, torque angle, shaft speed or shaft direction by optically detecting the overlapped position of spatially arranged apertures on discs attached to input and output ends of a flexure as torque is applied to the flexure.

Abstract: An optical static and dynamic torque sensor provides a measurement of torque, torque angle, shaft speed or shaft direction by optically detecting the overlapped position of spatially arranged apertures on discs attached to input and output ends of a flexure as torque is applied to the flexure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for noncontact, optical measuring of any of torque, torque angle, shaft speed, and shaft direction by at least one of a rotatable or non-rotatable flexure with input and output ends, a light source for generating a light signal, a field mask carrying a pattern of opaque and transparent lines adapted to form an image of overlaid lines on the field mask and reflected from lines on the input and output ends of the flexure, and a detector for receiving a light signal from the overlaid lines in the image, the detector generating an output light signal waveform proportional to the torque, and comparing amplitude variations between input and output end waveforms to provide a measurement of torque.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for noncontact, optical measuring of any of torque, torque angle, shaft speed, and shaft direction by at least one of a rotatable and compressible flexure with input and output ends plus input and output couplers, a light source for generating a light signal, a field mask formed of a pattern of opaque and transparent lines adapted to receive the light signal and generate a phase shifted light signal, and detector means for receiving a light signal from overlaid lines on the flexure and the field mask. Alternatively, the detector means may receive the light signal from overlaid lines on the input and output couplers of the flexure and the field mask and generate an output signal indicative of the combined pattern of the lines.

Abstract: A system for characterizing and monitoring a coated surface includes a sensor head which measures a plurality of characteristics of the surface and a signal processor which compares the measured characteristics with stored data so as to assess the quality of the coated surface. The system provides an alarm or other indication if the surface is not up to acceptable standards. The system has great utility in the inspection of painted surfaces particularly in a high volume mass production process such as the fabrication of automobiles.

Abstract: In a surface reflectance meter for directing light to a surface, receiving light reflected from the surface and measuring the rate of change of light flux upon withdrawal of a light chopper from the optical path, a fault detection means which detects and indicates a fault in the flux rate of change measurement is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment the rate of change of flux is detected by measuring the time for the light intensity to increase from a first to a second predetermined intensity and the fault detector means detects and indicates a fault when the light intensity does not reach the second predetermined intensity within a predetermined period of time. The surface reflectance meter is reset for repetition of the measurement upon indication of a fault. This invention is useful in portable surface reflectance meters which must be hand held to the surface to be measured, because instability in holding the meter to the surface can cause the fault.