Patent ID: 6426497
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
A system for measuring an absolute optical distance and planar angle relative to a plurality of optical sensor assembly means for a shaft assembly, the shaft assembly including a movable shaft coupled to a rotatable torque coupler, the system comprising:a mounting structure affixed adjacent to the shaft assembly; the plurality of optic sensor assembly means disposed upon the mounting structure; at least one target marker means comprising a plurality of faceted faces coupled to a surface portion of the shaft assembly; control electronics, each optic sensor assembly means in communication with the control electronics by a communications bus; and signal processing software means loaded and stored in the control electronics; each optic sensor assembly means transmitting optical signals to the surface portion, receiving a reflected optical signal from each target marker means as each target marker means passes each optic sensor assembly and transmitting information corresponding to characteristics of the shaft to the control electronics for processing by the signal processing software means.