Abstract: Methods and systems for the absolute high-resolution measurement of angle of rotation of a shaft, which allow for concurrent measuring of axial displacement and/or encoded identification information, are disclosed. Included is a method for measuring characteristics of a rotating shaft comprising obtaining optical signals by optically probing one or more patterns having a leading edge and a series of symbols disposed at one or more circumferences of the shaft; oversampling the optical signals; measuring time of arrival for the leading edges and determining therefrom an amount of time between arrival of two or more of the leading edges; interpolating and extrapolating the amount of time between arrival of the leading edges; and determining therefrom one or more of shaft twist, angle of rotation and/or axial loading, translation, or displacement. The methods include optically probing a pattern disposed around the circumference of a shaft that comprises a series of wedge-shaped symbols.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to characterization of torque and torsional vibration in rotating bodies. More specifically, this invention enables high-fidelity, high-speed characterization of the rotary motion of a body without the requirement for surface modification. This invention relies on the inherent optical properties of the surface of the rotating body to determine the degree to which a rotating body vibrates, twists, or is otherwise translated. The system makes use of interference between propagation modes in a multi-mode optical fiber. A portion of the light reflected from the rotating body is captured by one or more multi-mode optical fiber(s) and guided to an optical detector. Rays entering the receiver fiber at different angles form different propagation modes in the fiber, and as such travel different distances. As the body rotates, the fraction of the reflected light that enters any given mode changes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the absolute high-resolution measurement of angle of rotation of a shaft, which allow for concurrent measuring of axial displacement and/or encoded identification information, are disclosed. Included is a method for measuring characteristics of a rotating shaft comprising obtaining optical signals by optically probing one or more patterns having a leading edge and a series of symbols disposed at one or more circumferences of the shaft; oversampling the optical signals; measuring time of arrival for the leading edges and determining therefrom an amount of time between arrival of two or more of the leading edges; interpolating and extrapolating the amount of time between arrival of the leading edges; and determining therefrom one or more of shaft twist, angle of rotation and/or axial loading, translation, or displacement. The methods include optically probing a pattern disposed around the circumference of a shaft that comprises a series of wedge-shaped symbols.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for characterization of torque and torsional vibration in rotating bodies. More specifically, the present disclosure describes high-fidelity, high-speed characterization of the rotary motion of a body without the requirement for surface modification. The method and system rely on the inherent properties of the surface of the rotating body to determine the degree to which the rotating body vibrates, twists, or is otherwise translated.

Abstract: A printed circuit device used in conjunction with inductive power and data transmission applications is formed substantially of ferrite material, with an inductive coil conductor formed around the substrate to increase the electromagnetic properties of the coil for both power and data transmission functions, thereby eliminating the need for a discrete ferrite core wire-wound coil to be connected to the circuit device.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for attenuating the effect of ambient light on optical sensors and for measuring and compensating quantitatively for the ambient light.

Abstract: An optical inclination sensor is provided having at least one reflective surface and at least two separate optical fibers having ends spaced from a reflective surface. As the reflective surface tilts with respect to a pre-determined reference position the gap lengths between the fiber ends and the reflective surface change and the differences in these gap lengths is used to calculate an angle of inclination with respect to a reference position. The optical inclination sensor can include at least one mass attached to a housing and moveable with respect to the housing as the mass and housing are rotated about one or more axes. Optical strain sensors are disposed a various locations between the mass and housing so that as the mass moves with respect to the housing, each one of the optical strain sensors are placed in compression or tension. The housing can be a generally u-shaped housing having two arms and a base section with the mass disposed within the housing.

Abstract: An optical inclination sensor is provided having at least one reflective surface and at least two separate optical fibers having ends spaced from a reflective surface. As the reflective surface tilts with respect to a pre-determined reference position the gap lengths between the fiber ends and the reflective surface change and the differences in these gap lengths is used to calculate an angle of inclination with respect to a reference position. The optical inclination sensor can include at least one mass attached to a housing and moveable with respect to the housing as the mass and housing are rotated about one or more axes. Optical strain sensors are disposed a various locations between the mass and housing so that as the mass moves with respect to the housing, each one of the optical strain sensors are placed in compression or tension. The housing can be a generally u-shaped housing having two arms and a base section with the mass disposed within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for attenuating the effect of ambient light on optical sensors and for measuring and compensating quantitatively for the ambient light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor housing having a flexible sensor tube containing a transmission fluid and having sealed ends, and an optical sensor connected to an optical fiber. The optical sensor is adapted to measure a pressure of a fluid and this pressure is communicated to the flexible sensor tube, so that the pressure is transferred by the transmission fluid to the optical sensor. The sensor can measure temperature and/or pressure, and the sensor can be located remote from the sensor housing or within the sensor housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for attenuating the effect of ambient light on optical sensors and for measuring and compensating quantitatively for the ambient light.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for attenuating the effect of ambient light on optical sensors and for measuring and compensating quantitatively for the ambient light.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for attenuating the effect of ambient light on optical sensors and for measuring and compensating quantitatively for the ambient light.

Abstract: An optical-based sensor for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte using both indicator and reference channels. The sensor has a sensor body with a source of radiation embedded therein. Radiation emitted by the source interacts with indicator membrane indicator molecules proximate the surface of the body. At least one optical characteristic of these indicator molecules varies with analyte concentration. For example, the level of fluorescence of fluorescent indicator molecules or the amount of light absorbed by light-absorbing indicator molecules can vary as a function of analyte concentration. In addition, radiation emitted by the source also interacts with reference membrane indicator molecules proximate the surface of the body. Radiation (e.g., light) emitted or reflected by these indicator molecules enters and is internally reflected in the sensor body.

Abstract: Bakery pans (10) are moved in edge-to-edge abutment along a dough processing line. The bakery pan indexer (36) (FIG. 5) includes a surface conveyor having an array of magnets mounted thereon. The magnets firmly attach themselves to the lower surfaces of the bakery pans (10) and positively control the movement of the pans through the dough ball delivery station (37), where the dough balls (25) are delivered to the dough receiving cavities (35) of the pans. The pans are maintained in constant motion, and the pans are accelerated and decelerated in order to compensate for the varying distances between the rows of dough receiving cavities of the pans.