OPTICALLY PROGRAMMED ENCODER APPARATUS AND METHODS

摘要

Optical encoder apparatus and methods are provided for converting the cyclic motion of an electro-mechanical machine, such as an electric motor, into at least one electrical signal having a predetermined waveform. The apparatus may include at least one photo-detector (26) which is responsive to at least one pattern of incident radiant energy; at least one photo-emitter (24) that emits a supply of radiant energy coupled to the photo-detector by an optical path; and an optically programmed system including an optical encoder disc (30) which contains at least one optically detectable graphical pattern (32) and a mask (36) containing at least one aperture (38) which permits the pattern of radiant energy to pass to the detector.