Abstract: An improved optical sensor includes a light source from which light is projected onto an object. A photodetector detects the light reflected from the object. A refraction element is movable relative to the photodetector to vary the range of the optical sensor. The position of the light source relative to the photodetector can be varied.

Abstract: At least one pair of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is disposed to direct a beam of common discrete chromaticity each to a separate target area located at different distances from a centrally disposed photodetector. Upon pulsing of the diodes at a common time, the photodetector receives the sum of the diffused light reflected from a target disposed at a location between the separate target areas to substantially reduce the affects of variation in distance of a target from the photodetector. The photodetector output is corrected for the effects on the LEDs of variations in ambient temperature.

Abstract: A shutter is manually rotated across a circular aperture and into a light beam projecting through said aperture to selectively block a predetermined proportion of the light beam, thereby reducing intensity of light emitted to shorten the target sensing region distance for a photoelectric proximity sensor. First and second edges of the shutter intersect at a corner common to both edges and greater than ninety degrees. The shutter pivot is located so the corner traverses the aperture and thus the light beam substantially diametrically to cause the first edge to progressively reduce the light beam, the second edge sequentially progressively reducing the remaining half-circle of light beam upon continued rotation of the shutter.

Abstract: An optoelectronic position-sensitive detector (PSD) is disposed within a protective housing. An operator is movably mounted to the housing to be mechanically displaced by an object whose position is being sensed. A light projector within the housing is moved in response to operator movement to move a narrow light beam along a surface of the PSD corresponding to the position of the operator. A control system receives signals from the two output terminals of the PSD, compares and processes the same and produces a single analog signal indicative of the position of the object. The operator may be axially reciprocally movable or rotatable, and may have direct or indirect coupling with the light projector.

Abstract: An optoelectronic position-sensitive detector (PSD) is used with a light emitting diode (LED) in a through-beam photoelectric sensor application to detect the lateral position of an edge of an article or the lateral position or size variation of a thin object such as a small diameter fiber. The LED is offset toward one end of the PSD to establish a higher output signal at one end of the PSD than at an opposite end, thereby maintaining a positive output signal for the sensor. The LED and the PSD are potted with clear epoxy within holes in aluminum housing plates to provide RFI and EMI shielding.

Abstract: A device for photoelectrically sensing the color of a target object includes two more light sources having different characteristic ranges of chromaticity and at least one photosensitive element which receives light from the light sources after it has reflected off of the target object. A logic circuit serves to serially energize the light sources and receive resultant sample signals from the photosensitive elements. The logic circuit then generates a resultant signal as a function of the various sample signals and compares the resultant signal with a predetermined reference standard. If the difference therebetween exceeds a tolerance limit, the control circuit will output a reject signal.

Abstract: An optoelectronic triangulation sensor mounted adjacent a path of travel of a material web or individual paper sheets has a pivotable lever biased toward a fixed reference platen to bias the article(s) against the platen. The sensor light source is focused on a target carried on the back of the lever and reflected to a position-sensitive detector (e.g. lateral-effect photo-diode), the output of which varies in an analog signal in direct proportion to displacement of the lever. A relatively wide included angle between light source and PSD receiver shortens the range of the sensor and eliminates a need for pulse modulated light. The current driving the light source is monitored to emit a signal when the light source current exceeds a threshold, signaling the need for maintenance on the sensor such as cleaning the lens.

Abstract: A displacement gauge or gauge for detecting misalignment (3) employs four magnetic coils (24N, etc.) 90.degree. apart, (each) energized by an oscillator (36N, etc.), to sense the dislocation of a machine part, such as a post (12), near their center. A nominal position of the part (9 or 12) relative to a reference component (6) of the machine is first established. Subsequent displacements are detected and are indicated if they exceed a predetermined threshold magnitude.Signals from the four coils are combined in such a way that the magnitude of the radius of a displacement of the part (9 or 12) from the nominal position is ascertained approximately, irrespective of the direction of displacement from the reference part (6). The combination signal (at 64) is the greatest of (a) the absolute value of a north/south displacement signal, (b) the absolute value of an east/west displacement signal, and (c) 0.

Abstract: A controller for an electric clamp closes the clamp rapidly at first, then runs at a slower speed while contacting the workpiece, and speeds up again after contacting it, to close with full clamping force. Arrival of the clamp at the position for slowing down is directly detected by means of a proximity sensor, as are arrivals at other positions. The speed of operation is relatively insensitive to the voltage of its AC electrical power source because an open-loop compensating signal controls the pulse duration of rectified DC pulses that drive the motor. The controller has dynamic braking that is applied between individual pulses of pulse trains of motor current; this results in sigfificant increase in swings of current values for a given motor speed, that reduces harmful effects of mechanical friction. Two jogging speeds are selectable.

Abstract: A liquid removing attachment (22,24) for a fiber optic photoelectric sensor (14) that is used in a wet environment such as near a workpiece or tool (20) that is being sprayed or flowed with a liquid coolant. Such coolant produces an ambient mist or splash of liquid at the adjacent end of the fiber optic cable (16,18) which condenses or accumulates as a liquid mass or drops (6) on the exposed end of the optical fiber bundle (7) tending to interfere with light transmission therethrough. The attachment (22,24) provides radial channels (8b-e) adjacent the exposed ends of the optical fibers (7) that through adhesion of the liquid thereto together with the force of gravity cause such liquid mass or drops (6) to flow away thereby to reduce the liquid accumulation in the light transmission path.

Abstract: A protective shroud (22) for a flexible electrical cable (20) at the location where it emerges coaxially from the rear end (14) of an electrical device, such as an inductive proximity or photoelectric sensor (2), serving as a strain relief and protection from being bumped as well as retaining such electrical cable (20) at a gradual right-angle bend from a horizontally-mounted sensor (2) to keep it out of the way, such as from the aisle adjacent a conveyer on which the sensor is mounted. Snap-in means including an annular groove (18) on the rear end of the sensor (2) and a constricted-opening (22f) slot (22e) in the inner side wall (22d) of the shroud (22) afford snap-in mounting of the latter onto the rear end (14) of the sensor (2) with the shroud (22) being rotatable thereon to allow the electrical cable (20) to be oriented in any desired direction. Another version of protective shroud (24) adapted for a vertically-mounted sensor ( 2) in FIG.

Abstract: Disclosed is an embodiment (50) of an optical sensor device adapted to detect presence of an object by reflected radiation such as visible or invisible light within viewing field (8) of an optical sensor (4) over a broader distance ("X")range without having to make physical position adjustments of a single radiation source heretofore required. Device (50) is provided with a pair of spaced-apart radiation sources (14, 16) that are positioned such that their respective radiation beams (18, 20) angularly intersect optical axis ("O") of viewing field (8) at respective angles (.theta..sub.1, .theta..sub.2) to provide three respective zones comprising a first zone (1), second zone (2) and an intermediate third zone (3) therebetween containing at least a portion of the first and second zones (1, 2) within viewing field (8) from any one or more of which reflected radiation from an object is able to be detected by sensor (4).

Abstract: A diffuse reflective photoelectric detector head (2) for a solid state limit switch (4) having a photoreceiver with a fixed field of view (FV) and a light source (20) pivotally adjustable to cause its light beam (LB) to intersect the field of view (FV) at varying distances from the detector head, the adjustment being indicated by a mechanical indicator (26f). The head is mountable on a limit switch enclosure (8) in any of four major axis positions, with electrical connections (22a-50a, b, c) for the head being made at the junction of head (2) and enclosure (8).

Abstract: A preassembled self-contained fiber optic module is disclosed which may be inserted in standard switch enclosures to enable a remote electrical switching function to be performed by means of optical switching within the switch enclosure. A single module mounts facing ends of two fiber optic cables in spaced substantially colinear alignment and also forms a narrow elongated guiding channel perpendicular to the colinear axis of the cables and intersecting the gap therebetween for guiding an operator-driven opaque shutter which is movable into the gap to block the optical path between the facing ends of the cables. Transducer means are provided at the remote ends of the fiber optic cables to supply an electrical signal in response to optical transmission. A fiber optic limit switch and a fiber optic pushbutton switch are specifically disclosed.

Abstract: An improved limit switch operator head assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a rotatable operating shaft which is rotatable in reverse switch commutating directions, and a helically coiled torsion spring for effecting return of the operating shaft to a center or non switch commutating position. It further includes a U-shaped member formed of thin spring steel which is held in friction producing abutting relation against the coils of the torsion spring to damp the snap-back action of the latter and thereby prevent reverse rotations of the operating shaft beyond its center position.