Abstract: An optical position sensor system is disclosed for determining the angular position of a rotary member having a longitudinal rotation axis that extends in an axial direction. The system includes a single light source aligned along the rotation axis. A collimating element is adjacent the light source a predetermined distance, the collimating element aligned along the rotation axis to collimate light from the light source along the rotation axis. A detection element is adjacent the collimating element a predetermined distance to receive collimated light from the collimating element and to provide a linear output. A light blocker is inserted between the collimating element and the detection element, the light blocker coupled to the rotary member to rotate therewith about the rotation axis to block portions of the collimated light from the light source and the collimating element from reaching the detection element in direct relationship to the rotary position of the light blocker.

Abstract: An optical input beam is split into first and second beams lying in first and second non-parallel planes. A polygon mirror scanner receives the first and second beams on a single facet and generates first and second angularly displaced, non-parallel synchronized scans. Redirecting means is positioned in the optical path between the scanner and a scanned plane for redirecting a portion of the first and second synchronized scans onto a timing plane to generate third and fourth non-coincident, synchronized scans. A beam position signal consisting of equally spaced, sequential pulses is generated in response to the travel of either the third or fourth synchronized scan along a second scanned line lying within a timing plane. The beam position signal is representative of the position of both the first and second synchronized scans along the first scanned line. The second section of the laser inspection apparatus reads information from a surface having an area illuminated by the dual beams of the optical scanner.