초록 ▼

An angular position sensor for sensing the relative angular position of a helmet worn by a passenger in an aircraft with respect to the aircraft is disclosed. The sensor includes three spaced linear photodetector arrays fixed to the aircraft, and a light source mounted on the helmet and arranged to

An angular position sensor for sensing the relative angular position of a helmet worn by a passenger in an aircraft with respect to the aircraft is disclosed. The sensor includes three spaced linear photodetector arrays fixed to the aircraft, and a light source mounted on the helmet and arranged to produce a light beam which rotates cyclically about an axis in the helmet so as to successively irradiate a photodetector within each array within each cycle. A sensor attached to the helmet produces a time datum signal during each cycle. A computer uses the location within the arrays of the irradiated photodetectors, and the relative timing of the irradiations with respect to the time datum to provide the required azimuth, elevation and roll angles of the helmet.

대표청구항 ▼

An angular position sensor for sensing the relative angular position of first and second bodies comprising: three spaced photodetectors arrays each comprising a multiplicity of photodetectors in a linear configuration fixed with respect to said first body; means fixed with respect to said second bod

An angular position sensor for sensing the relative angular position of first and second bodies comprising: three spaced photodetectors arrays each comprising a multiplicity of photodetectors in a linear configuration fixed with respect to said first body; means fixed with respect to said second body for producing a single light beam which executes a cyclic sweeping motion about an axis defined within said second body, such that said light beam successively irradiates a selection of one or more photodetectors within each array during each cycle of its sweeping motion, the selection being dependent on said angular position; means attached to said second body for producing a time datum signal within each cycle of motion of said light beam; means for determining the locations within the arrays of the selected photodetectors, means for determining the timing of said irradiations with respect to said time datum signals; and means responsive to said locations and said timing to develop an output representative of the relative angular position of said first and second bodies.