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: Orange peel or texture of a painted surface is measured by scanning a light beam across the surface and receiving the reflected beam on an area detector generating a signal having a first component varying with surface slope variations in the painted surface and a second component due to scan rate. Apparatus is provided for orienting the light beam relative to the painted surface so as to be reflected therefrom to the detector area without re-reflection from the painted surface; and a converging lens converges the light beam on the area detector. A portable, surface contacting embodiment uses a plurality of projecting feet for orientation to the painted surface and relies on the converging lens for convergence. In a non-contact embodiment, variations in orientation and curvature of the surface are detected by the second component of the signal and compensated for in closed loop control of a mirror and the converging lens to dynamically converge the beam on the area detector.

Abstract: A single meter measures the gloss and the distinctness of image (DOI) of a painted surface for quality evaluation of the finish. A DOI signal is obtained by a prior method of focusing the reflected image of a moving shutter onto a slit and measuring the light passing through the slit. The rate of increase of the resulting signal is used as a measure of DOI. The same signal is integrated over a preset time period covering the upper part of the signal rise to yield a value proportional to gloss.

Abstract: In order to obtain an objective measurement of paint gloss on a flat or slightly curved surface, a distinctness of image instrument is provided having a light source for projecting a light beam onto the test surface, a detector responsive to reflected light from the surface, an aperture at the detector, a chopper near the light source and a lens for imaging the chopper blade on the plane of the aperture so that the sharpness of the image depends upon the reflective quality of the test surface. The rate of change of the detector output signal is large for a high glass surface while the rate of change is low for a low gloss surface. For use of the instrument on curved as well as flat surfaces the chopper is provided with a plurality of blades spaced at different distances from the light source.

Abstract: A pair of mandrels crossing at a right angle are moved into the center of an O-ring and then spread apart to stretch the O-ring around the mandrels to secure it and to form it into a twisted path. The mandrels are rotated to drive the O-ring through the twisted path so that the angular orientation of any given cross section of the O-ring changes as it advances around the path. An optical measurement apparatus senses cross section diameter of the O-ring at several locations and frequently repeats the measurement during the O-ring movement. The diameters are electrically compared to determine dimensional anomalies in the O-ring.