Sagnac/Michelson distributed sensing systems
US5636021A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/35383
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A Sagnac/Michelson distributed sensor is described that is capable of locating the position and amplitude of a time varying environmental signal as well as measuring locally and regionally slowly varying environmental signals. The sensor consists of a Sagnac interferometric loop into which spectrally reflective elements that may be fiber gratings have been placed. A Sagnac interferometric signal derived from counterpropagating beams in the Sagnac loop is used in combination with signals derived from reflected light beams off the spectrally reflective elements in the Sagnac loop which are combined in Michelson interferometer readouts to allow the measurement of environmental signals. Applications of the Sagnac/Michelson sensor include the measurement strains and acoustic sources in buildings, bridges, dams and aerospace platforms. Other applications include the localization of insect infestations in grain storage areas and termites in wooden structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.