Fiber optic probe system
US4851817A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/431
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for automatic and real time detection of water and icing on surfaces by monitoring variations in light energy transmitted through an optical fiber having a specially processed sensitive area probe. The sensitive probe area is positioned on, about or within the surface on which icing is to be detected. Because of differences in optical indices of refraction and energy absorption characteristics of air, water and ice, the presence of each of these at the processed sensitive area will cause a proportional and characteristic attenuation of the light energy passing through the optical fiber. Changes in light energy transmission can be interpreted automatically to provide an indication of icing. A reference optical circuit may be used to provide compensation for variations in input energy levels. Light energy of different wave lengths and energy levels may be used to compensate for or avoid interference with measurement by ambient lighting conditions or for the detection of other conditions and materials using the principle of characteristic absorption and resonance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.