Patent ID: 6399940
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
An optical encoder having an in situ laser beam generator, comprising:a) a laser source for generating a laser beam of light; b) diffracting means disposed on a first side of said laser source for diffracting said incident laser beam into first and second diffracted beams of first order having a predetermined angle of separation between them; c) first and second reflecting means disposed on second and third sides of said laser source respectfully for reflecting each of said first and second diffracted beams around said laser source to a common point of incidence at a fourth side of said laser source opposite said first side to provide an optical encoder having an in situ laser beam generator; d) combining means disposed at said point of incidence at said fourth side for recombining said first and second diffracted beams to provide two interfering overlapped beams (of first order) having a predetermined interference fringe separation; e) a base frame of heat conducting material for mounting and supporting some optical encoder elements in the same plane on a first side of said base frame; and f) a heat sink of heat conducting material disposed in spaced relationship with a second opposite side of said base frame for acting as a heat repository.