Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system used in conjunction with a rotary member such as a shaft to sense the angular position of the rotary member and produce an output signal which is a function thereof. The signal is received by operator means for producing a programmed response to the signal. The system comprises a light reflective program carried by the rotary member, its length extending in a circumferential direction with respect to the rotary member and its width varying along its length as a function of lengthwise distance from one end of the program area. The system further comprises means for projecting light onto at least a part of the program area over an extent transverse to the program area at least as broad as the maximum width of the program area and primary detector means operative to detect the amount of light being reflected from the entire width of a limited lengthwise portion of the program area aligned with the primary detector means.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention may comprise a housing or other stationary member which may have a chamber therein. A drive member is disposed in the chamber for movement therein. An elongate torque transmission member is rotatably mounted in the housing so as to extend into the chamber toward the drive member. Means are provided to prevent the torque transmission member from moving longitudinally with respect to the housing. An annular connector is disposed between the torque transmission member and the drive member. The connector is connected to the torque transmission member for longitudinal but non-rotating relative movement and threadedly connected to the drive member. Thus the connector can be moved longitudinally along the torque transmission member during normal or automatic operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A low profile fluid powered actuator particularly for valves of the type in which the valve element is rotated to open and close the flow passageway through the valve body, the actuator having a novel internal porting system, means for direct attachment of the valve stem to the shaft of the actuator, and a novel manual override for manually operating the valve.