Patent ID: 6429936
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A multichannel system for synchronizing independently driven filter wheels, comprising:a means for controlling operation of the system by providing instructions; a clock that provides timing signals; a device with a programmable memory having the ability to receive and transmit signals, the device in communications with the clock and with the means for controlling operation of the system, the device receiving an instruction from the means for controlling operation of the system to execute a first preselected program and to transmit a signal in response to the instruction received from the means for controlling operation of the system; at least two programmable motor controllers in communication with the clock to receive the timing signals, each being capable of being programmed to receive instructions from the device to run a second preselected program at a preselected time, the time determined by the timing signals from the clock; at least two motor drivers, each motor driver connected to one of the at least two programmable motor controllers, each motor driver operating in response to an electrical signal from the controller; a power source to provide power to the motor drivers; a motor connected to each motor driver, each motor having a shaft; an encoder rotatably mounted on each motor shaft, each encoder producing a plurality of pulses, and a means for indexing the position of the encoder on the motor shaft, the pulses being sent to the respective controller so that the respective controller can resolve the position of the encoder with respect to the indexing means; and a filter disk rotatably mounted to each motor shaft having a plurality of filter positions, and having a fixed position in relation to the encoder mounted on the motor shaft, the position of each encoder being synchronized by the timing signal from the clock so that the plurality of filter positions on each filter disk are synchronized with respect to one another.