Patent · US Expired

Optical sensor and method of making same

US4797549A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
11References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 9, 1987
Grant dateJan 10, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 9, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S359/90
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical sensor has a gap for a toothed modulator wheel and accurately aligned optical fibers on either side of the gap. The fibers form a U-shape to allow compact sensor design. The sensor is fabricated by inserting a single optical fiber in a mold and supporting the fiber in a U-shape such that the bottom of the U bend includes a straight portion. A thermosetting material is molded around the fiber to form a body and encapsulsate the fiber. A gap is formed by excluding or removing the resin from the region of the straight portion. A part of the straight portion of the fiber at the gap is removed so that the remaining spaced ends are inherently aligned across the gap.

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