Patent ID: 8228490

Claim:
A system for measuring deflection in a structure, comprising: first means for measuring a position of a spot of light; and second means for forming said spot of light at a position that is dependent on a deflection in said structure, wherein said first means includes a detector array oriented perpendicular to a surface of said structure, wherein said first means further includes a processor adapted to receive detector signals from said detector array and in accordance therewith calculate said position of said spot, wherein said second means includes a light source for generating a substantially collimated beam of light focused on said detector array, wherein said light source is positioned at a first end of said structure, wherein said system is configured to measure a total amount of bending in said structure, wherein said detector array is positioned next to said light source at said first end of said structure, and wherein said second means further includes third means for reflecting said beam of light from said light source to said detector array such that a vertical position of the reflected beam at said detector array is dependent on a total bending in said structure.