Apparatus for measuring temperature using a sensor element

US4997286A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Gustav W. Fehrenbach · Hanau, DE
• Stefan Schmidt · Aalen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 4, 1989
• Grant date: Mar 5, 1991
• Expiry date: May 4, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/262
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring temperature in a region of high temperature is disclosed herein. The measuring apparatus includes a sensor made from a fluorescent material, located within the region of high temperature. The fluorescent decay time of the fluorescent material is dependent upon the temperature of the fluorescent material. A first optical waveguide is located within the high temperature region and coupled to the sensor by means of a glass solder. The first optical waveguide is coupled to a second optical waveguide located outside the region of high temperature, and the second optical waveguide is connected to a means for detecting and evaluating the fluorescent radiation, also located outside the region of high temperature. A source of excitation radiation is used to cause the fluorescent material to fluoresce, and by measuring the fluorescence decay time, the temperature within the region can be determined.