| 摘要 |
A slope/level indicating apparatus for determining the degree of slope or grade being created by a machine, such as a grader. The apparatus comprises a slope indicator unit which transmits slope information through a cable to a digital display which can be viewed by an operator. The slope indicating unit comprises one or more tubular chambers, each of which has a substantially rectangular transverse cross-section, and each of which includes a disk that can move freely within the tubular chamber. The tubular chamber is machined or molded with the longitudinal axis curved in an arc of one or more predetermined radii so that the disk moves within the tubular chamber according to the earth's gravitational force vector. A plurality of photodetectors are situated preferably evenly spaced behind the tubular chamber and are preferably placed such that they detect transitions of slope of the tubular chamber based on the position of the disk within the tubular chamber. A light source located on the opposite side of the tubular chamber shines light onto and through each tubular chamber, the light being received by the respective photodetectors except the one being blocked by the disk. In this manner, the machine operator is kept apprised in real time of the level of slope being created and/or used by the machine. |
