Patent · US Expired

Fiber optic accelerometer

US7137299B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
17References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 21, 2005
Grant dateNov 21, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 21, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01P15/093
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A proof mass is suspended in a cavity in a housing. The proof mass moves along a sensing axis in response to linear acceleration. Elastic support members are connected between the proof mass and the housing and are arranged to exert a reaction force on the proof mass in response to displacement of the proof mass along the sensing axis. An optical fiber is connected between the proof mass and opposite sidewall portions of the housing such that displacement of the proof mass along the sensing axis elongates a first portion of the optical fiber and shortens another portion. An optical signal source provides a broadband optical signal input to the optical fiber. A fiber optic Bragg grating is formed in the optical fiber and arranged to reflect a portion of the optical signal. Acceleration of the proof mass modulates the wavelength of the reflected optical signal.

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