Patent · US Expired

Vibrating sensor

US5426981A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
7References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 18, 1992
Grant dateJun 27, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 18, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S73/01
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A vibrating sensor comprises an elongated element arranged to vibrate at a frequency dependent upon an external stress applied to the sensor, and an optical fiber for coupling light into an end of the element to excite it into vibration. A light-absorbing layer is provided on a longitudinal surface of the element such that the element will change its configuration, e.g. by bending, as the layer absorbs light and heats that side of the element, this alteration in configuration causing a reduction of radiation which is absorbed so that the element restores. The element may define a Fabry-Perot interferometer between its opposite ends.

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