Patent · US Expired

Temperature independent fiber optic sensor

US4724316A · kind A · utility

47Cited by
13References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 12, 1985
Grant dateFeb 9, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 12, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01D5/35345
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved fiber optic sensor of the type in which a fiber optic waveguide component of the sensor is configured to be responsive to an external parameter such that curvature of the fiber optic waveguide is altered in response to forces induced by changes in the external parameter being sensed. The alteration of the curvature of the fiber optic waveguide causes variations in the intensity of light passing therethrough, these variations being indicative of the state of the external parameter. The improvement comprises coating material covering the exterior portion of the fiber optic waveguide, the coating material having an expansion coefficient and thickness such that distortion of the fiber optic waveguide caused by thermally induced stresses between the coating material and the glass fiber is substantially eliminated. Also disclosed is a support member for supporting the curved fiber optic waveguide, the support member and fiber optic waveguide being configured and arranged to minimize the effects of thermal stress tending to separate the waveguide from the support member.

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