Abstract

An optical position transducer comprising a coupler responsive to an input light pulse for providing a plurality of light pulses and a movable element movable along a path and having light transmitting regions and light obstructing regions. A first set of light pulse conductors conducts the light pulses, respectively, to a first set of locations closely adjacent the movable element with each of the light pulses being transmitted by the associated light pulse conductor to a different one of such locations. The light pulses are transmitted or obstructed by the movable element to provide a signal representative of the position of the movable element. A second set of light pulse conductors is positioned to conduct the light pulses transmitted by the movable element to a second location. At least some of the light pulses are delayed different lengths of time so that the light pulses from the second set of light pulse conductors can be transmitted as a light pulse train on a single light conductor.