Patent · US Active

Hydrocarbon sensing methods and apparatus

US10175168B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
11References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 19, 2017
Grant dateJan 8, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 19, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02A20/20
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A sensor for hydrocarbons uses a waveguide with a first cladding layer, a second cladding layer with a measurement region with hydrophobic measurement material, and a core between the first and second cladding layers. Light is coupled into the waveguide. The measurement material is exposed to the hydrocarbon allowing the hydrocarbon to diffuse into it and change refractive index of the material, which changes intensity of light evanescently coupled through the first cladding layer. Light coupled through the first cladding layer is measured to determine exposure of the sensor to the hydrocarbons.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.