Fiberoptic microbend accelerometer
US4860586A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01P15/093
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An accelerometer comprises a base and cover together defining a chamber which receives an inertial mass. A diaphragm carries the inertial mass and is bolted between the base and the cover. The inertial mass and the base have facing corrugated surfaces with offset teeth in each of the corrugated surfaces. An optical fiber is clamped between the teeth and extends between the corrugated surfaces. The intensity of light passing through the fiber changes with movement of the inertial mass with respect to the base. The inertial mass moves through the resiliency of the diaphragm, when the base is subjected to accelerations, such as those caused by vibrations. A reference optical fiber may also extend through the chamber above the inertial mass. The same light is supplied to both fibers and the intensity of light from both fibers is subtracted to leave the variation in intensity due to bending of the sensing optical fiber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.