Fiberoptic coupler sensor and a measurement method
US6677576B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12138
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Sensors and sensing apparatus are described, based on fused tapered fiber optic couplers with the taper waist portion formed into a loop or cleaved to provide a reflecting end. Light is typically input to the taper waist portion along a single input fiber, and bending of the loop or cleaved taper waist portion causes changes in the coupling ratio between the output fibers. The taper waist portion may be formed into a loop with a small bend radius without loss, and sensors embodying the claimed invention are particularly suitable for in-vivo measurement of pressure, the taper waist portions advantageously being arranged in contact with a membrane which deflects according to surrounding pressure. Further embodiments are described which are suitable for measurement of fluid flow velocity and/or acceleration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.