Evaluating the position of a disturbance
US8003932B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/35361
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for evaluating the position of a disturbance, in particular using a waveguide having a plurality of overlap regions. A position sensor is provided including: an optical waveguide; a transmission stage for launching a sensing signal into the waveguide; a receiving stage arranged to receive a returned sensing signals which returned sensing signal is a time distributed signal derived from backscattered components of the sensing signal, the waveguide being arranged along a path having a plurality of overlap regions such that a disturbance in an overlap region causes a first disturbance feature and a second disturbance feature in the returned sensing signal; and, monitoring means for monitoring the returned signal, such that a respective time of return can be associated with the first and second disturbance feature. Both return features can then be used to evaluate the position of the disturbance so as to enhance the resolution of the position sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.