Edjewise Sensor Products, Inc.

Litton Systems, Inc.

The Mercury Iron and Steel Co.

Edward F Carome

Michael D Rainer

According to the present invention, there is provided an optical sensor capable of detecting, identifying or measuring a property of a solid, liquid or gas which is in contact with its measuring surface. The preferred sensor comprises an optically transparent sensing element with at least one surface, an optical energy source, means for conducting optical energy from the source to the sensing element at a specific, precisely determined angle and a photodetector. The measuring surface of the sensing element forms an interface with the substance to be measured. Optical energy is partially reflected from the interface formed at the planar surface of the transparent element toward the photodetector. It has been discovered that the resulting signal from the photodetector is proportional to the refractive index of the medium covering the outer surface of the transparent element.

Optical sensor

Light from a light source (10) is transmitted along an optical fiber (12) through a sensor (14) to opto-electronics (16). The sensor includes a cantilevered beam (20) that flexes in response to acceleration causing its free end (26) to move. Light from the optical fiber (12) is transmitted along an optical fiber to a terminal end (30) thereof and across a gap (34). Light transmitted across the gap is returned to the optical fiber by a mirror (FIG. 2 ) or received by a free end (36) of a second optical fiber (FIG. 1) and conveyed to the opto-electronics. The beam member is configured with an appropriate stiffness that under acceleration, the beam flexes moving its free end sufficiently to change measurably through transmission of light across the gap to the opto-electronics.

Fiber optic accelerometer

An optical fiber (12) extends from a light source (10) along a beam (16) of a sensor (18). The optical fiber terminates in a free end adjacent a free end of the beam and generally opposite to a fixed free end of a target, such as a second optical fiber (20). Light is transmitted across a gap between the first and second optical fibers in accordance with the degree of alignment thereof. The beam (16) has at least two portions (38, 40) extending longitudinally therealong. Each of the beam portions is constructed of a material that changes longitudinal dimension to a different degree than the other in response to the sensed condition. In this manner, the sensed condition causes the beam to bend, altering the degree of alignment between the optical fiber free ends in response to the sensed condition.

Fiber optic sensor with dual condition-responsive beams

Light from source (10) is transmitted along an optical fiber (12) to a free end (20). Light emitted from the optical fiber free end is transmitted to a target (22), such as the free end of a second optical fiber (16). An opto-electric transducer (18) provides an output that varies in accordance with the intensity of received light. Relative alignment between the optical fiber free end and the target is controlled by movement of a cantilever beam member (30). The cantilever beam member is a strip of ferromagnetic material (40) extending therealong. A second elongated ferromagnetic strip (42) is mounted closely adjacent but spaced from a free end (36) of the cantilever beam member defining a flux gap (44) therebetween. As magnetic flux flows through the ferromagnetic strips, the beam member free end is deflected in proportion to the strength of the magnetic field.

Fiber optic magnetic field sensor

The apparatus according to the invention is all-fiber optic device that produces an output indicative of the gradient of an acoustic wave in water. The device comprises a neutrally buoyant body having a relatively rigid outer case. When it is submerged in water, the motion of the case is the same as that of a water particle in the same vicinity. A fiber optic linear accelerometer produces a signal proportional to the component of acceleration.

Growing community of inventors

Cleveland, OH, United States of America

Edward F Carome