초록 ▼

Linear variable reflector sensors can be used to measure the displacement of objects. These sensors are useful in that they can be very small, do not conduct electricity, and are resistant to electrical interference from EMI/EMP and lightning strikes. The present linear variable reflector system com

Linear variable reflector sensors can be used to measure the displacement of objects. These sensors are useful in that they can be very small, do not conduct electricity, and are resistant to electrical interference from EMI/EMP and lightning strikes. The present linear variable reflector system comprises a light source, a light transmitting member in optical communication with the light source, a sensor in optical communication with the light transmitting member. The sensor comprises a moveable transparent body, a reflective material deposited on the transparent body, and at least one film deposited over said reflective material, wherein said reflective material reflects light. Further, the linear variable reflector system comprises a detector coupled to the sensor to detect displacement of the moveable transparent body.

대표청구항 ▼

Having thus described the invention, we claim: 1. A linear variable reflector system comprising: a first light source; a light transmitting member in optical communication with said first light source; a sensor in optical communication with said light transmitting member, said sensor comprising: a

Having thus described the invention, we claim: 1. A linear variable reflector system comprising: a first light source; a light transmitting member in optical communication with said first light source; a sensor in optical communication with said light transmitting member, said sensor comprising: a moveable transparent body; a reflective material deposited on said transparent body; said reflective material having variable thickness across said transparent body; and at least one film deposited over said reflective material, wherein said reflective material reflects light; and a detector coupled to said sensor to detect displacement of said moveable transparent body. 2. The linear variable reflector system of claim 1, further comprising a signal processor coupled to said detector. 3. The linear variable reflector system of claim 2, wherein said film comprises a plurality of dielectric stacks of films. 4. The linear variable reflector system of claim 3, wherein said signal processor compensates for light level changes due to temperature variations. 5. The linear variable reflector system of claim 4, wherein said signal processor compensates for age variations of output from said light source. 6. The linear variable reflector system of claim 5, wherein said signal processor compensates for changes of said detector due to temperature variations and from emission wavelength shifts of said first light source with temperature. 7. The linear variable reflector system of claim 1, further comprising a second light source having a wavelength different from said first light source. 8. The linear variable reflector system of claim 7, wherein a ratio of light reflected by said sensor from said first light source and said second light source is used to generate signals to said signal processor indicative of displacement of said moveable transparent body. 9. The linear variable reflector system of claim 8, wherein said first light source is a light emitting diode and said second light source is a second light emitting diode. 10. The linear variable reflector system of claim 1, wherein said light transmitting member is an optical fiber. 11. The linear variable reflector system of claim 1, wherein said reflector material is of variable thicknesses across said transparent body. 12. The linear variable reflector system of claim 11, wherein said reflector material is of different thicknesses at every point across said transparent body. 13. A linear variable reflector system comprising: a first light source; a light transmitting member in optical communication with said first light source; a sensor in optical communication with said light transmitting member, said sensor comprising: a moveable transparent body; a reflective material deposited on said transparent body, said reflective material having variable thickness across said transparent body; and a plurality of films deposited over said reflective material, wherein said reflective material reflects light; a detector coupled to said sensor to detect displacement of said moveable transparent body; and a signal processor coupled to said detector. 14. The linear variable reflector system of claim 13, further comprising a second detector that measures output from said first light source. 15. The linear variable reflector system of claim 14, wherein voltage measured across said first light source is used to compensate for aging and temperature of said first light source. 16. The linear variable reflector system of claim 15, wherein said second detector provides a signal to compensate for changes in light coupling and fiber transmission losses. 17. The linear variable reflector system of claim 13, further comprising a second light source having a wavelength different from said first light source. 18. The linear variable reflector system of claim 17, wherein a ratio of light reflected by said sensor from said first light source and said second light source is used to generate signals to said signal processor indicative of displacement of said moveable transparent body. 19. The linear variable reflector system of claim 13, wherein said variable thickness of said reflective material is of a different thickness at every point along said transparent body. 20. The linear variable reflector system of claim 13, wherein said variable thickness of said reflective material is substantially a wedge shape across said transparent body. 21. A method of measuring displacement comprising: emitting a light from a first light source; transmitting said light through a light transmitting member; providing a sensor having a moveable transparent body with a reflective material deposited thereon, the reflective material being of variable thickness across said transparent body, and a plurality of films deposited over said reflective material; reflecting said light using said sensor; detecting said reflected light with a detector; and sending a signal to a signal processor indicative of displacement of said moveable transparent body. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising emitting a light from a second light source having a wavelength different from said first light source, and taking a ratio of light reflected by said sensor from said first light source and said second light source to generate said signal indicative of displacement of said moveable transparent body.