USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Other

Fiber Optic Sensor Systems Technology Corporation

Smartsensecom, Inc.

Nicholas Lagakos

Joseph A Bucaro

Pedro B Macedo

Joseph H Simmons

Danh C Tran

Catherine J Simmons

Jacek Jarzynski

Patrick Hernandez

Victor Kaybulkin

Barbara Jarzynski, Legal Representative

Christopher Vizas

Theodore Aaron Litovitz

Robert K Mohr

Robert J Meister

Brian H Houston

James H Cole

Douglas H Blackburn

W James Trott

Albert Feldman

David Wells

A multiplexed fiber optic sensor system including at least one light source, one or more first optical fibers having a first end arranged to receive light from the light source(s) and transmit the light to at least one fiber optic sensor, and one or more second optical fibers arranged to receive reflected light from the fiber optic sensors and transmit the reflected light to a light sensing element. Using the sensor system, it is possible to measure physical phenomena, such as electromagnetic phenomena, along multiple points along or within a material or structure of interest or on separate materials or structures. The fiber optic sensors can be electromagnetic phenomena sensors, pressure sensors, acceleration sensors, strain sensors, temperature sensors, or other sensors designed to measure physical phenomena. The sensor system can be used to measure phenomena of interest at several locations or take different kinds of measurements at the same or approximately the same location.

Fiber optic electromagnetic phenomena sensor system

A fiber optic sensor for measuring voltage in direct current and alternating current systems is disclosed. The sensor may include an optical fiber probe containing transmitting and receiving fibers, fixed conductor elements, and a dynamic conductor element with a reflective surface or material. The reflector may be attached to a dynamic conductor. The two fixed conductors may be placed parallel to one another and coupled to a static voltage source. The dynamic conductor may bisect the fixed conductors and be coupled to a voltage source. The dynamic conductor may be spaced apart from the ends of the fibers in the fiber probe, and positioned so that light transmitted through the transmitting fiber is reflected by that surface into a receiving fiber. A light sensing means may be coupled to the receiving fiber, so light from a light reflected by the reflector body back into the receiving fibers is detected.

Intensity modulated fiber optic voltage sensors for alternating current and direct current power systems

A fiber optic sensor system for measuring electric currents, such as the associated with geomagnetic disturbances and electromagnetic pulses. A fiber optic sensor system is disclosed including at least one light source, one or more first optical fibers having a first end arranged to receive light from the light source(s) and transmit the light to at least one of the sensor, and one or more second optical fibers arranged to receive reflected light from the fiber optic sensors and transmit the reflected light to a light sensing element. Using the sensors and the system, it is possible to measure currents within a structure of interest, such as upon the grounded neutral of an electric power transformer, take multiple measurements of current at the same piece of equipment or at multiple locations, or measure current and other physical phenomena on separate materials or structures.

Fiber optic sensor system for detection of electric currents and other phenomena associated with geomagnetic disturbances

A fiber optic sensor for measuring electromagnetic phenomena, including electrical and magnetic fields, voltage, and current is disclosed. The sensor includes an optical fiber probe containing a transmitting fiber and at least one receiving fiber, and a reflective surface or body. The reflective surface or body may be part of or attached to a material exhibiting a physical displacement from a force exerted upon the material due to electromagnetic phenomena, such as an electrical field, a magnetic field, voltage, and current. The reflective surface may be spaced apart from the ends of the fibers in the probe, and positioned so that light transmitted through the transmitting fiber is reflected by that surface into at least one receiving fiber. A light sensing means is coupled to the at least one receiving fiber, so light from a light reflected by the reflector body back into the receiving fibers is detected.

Fiber optic electromagnetic phenomena sensors

A fiber optic acoustic sensor and a method of using same. The sensor includes a light emitting diode and a fiber optic probe having a transmitting multimode optical fiber and at least one receiving multimode optical fiber. The transmitting multimode optical fiber and the receiving multimode optical fiber are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the probe. The fiber optic probe communicates with the light emitting diode. The sensor further includes a cantilever, which includes a cantilever rod. The cantilever rod includes a proximal end with an edge reflector located thereon. The edge reflector is spaced apart from the fiber probe and oriented to face said fiber probe. The edge reflector is able to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fiber optic probe. The sensor further includes a light intensity detector communicating with the fiber optic probe.

Fiber optic directional acoustic sensor

A fiber-optic temperature sensor with a cantilever beam including two different material strips with different thermal expansion coefficients, the cantilever beam having a reflective surface on an end of the cantilever beam, an optical fiber probe including a transmitting multimode optical fiber and at least one receiving multimode optical fiber for receiving reflected light from the reflective surface. Temperature changes at the sensor are indicated by a change in reflected light coupled into the receiving multimode optical fiber due to lateral displacement of the edge of the reflective surface caused by bending of the cantilever beam. Some embodiments have additional reference receiving fibers for compensation for noise, changes in gap length, and other factors.

Miniature fiber optic temperature sensor with edge reflector

An intensity-based fiber optic temperature sensor having a fiber probe with a multimode transmit/receive fiber, a reflector spaced apart from the end of the fiber, and a housing affixed at its ends to the fiber probe and reflector, the housing having a larger or smaller thermal expansion coefficient than those of the fiber probe and reflector. Temperature changes cause a change in the gap distance between the fiber end and the reflector, changing the amount of reflected light coupled into the optical fiber. Temperature sensors can also have a fiber probe with two or more multimode receiving fibers surrounding a transmitting fiber. Other temperature sensors include a fiber probe with a multimode transmitting fiber, a reference multimode receiving fiber and a sensing multimode receiving fiber for reducing noise effects.

Miniature fiber optic temperature sensors

A fiber optic hydrophone has a reflective diaphragm having an exposed face and a reflective protected face, at least one transmitting multimode optical fiber having an end spaced apart from the protected face of the diaphragm positioned to emit light toward the diaphragm housing, and a reservoir. A cavity is defined by the diaphragm and the interior surface of the housing. Silicone oil and a compliant elastomeric material with embedded air bubbles are located in the cavity. Ports between the cavity and the reservoir and the reservoir and the exterior of the hydrophone allow static pressure communication between the cavity and the exterior of the hydrophone. The fiber optic probe can have one transmitting multimode optical fiber and six receiving multimode optical fibers, or more or fewer optical fibers. A grating can protect the diaphragm from environmental damage.

Intensity modulated fiber optic hydrophones

A fiber optic sensor for detecting acceleration or displacement includes a fiber optic probe with a multimode transmitting optical fiber, a multimode receiving optical fiber and a edge reflector spaced apart from the fiber probe. The reflector moves in a transverse direction substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the fiber optic probe, so the amount of light received by the receiving fiber indicates a relative acceleration or a relative displacement of the reflective surface with respect to the fiber probe in the transverse direction of motion of the edge of the reflector. The reflector can be mounted on a cantilever beam. The sensor can have one transmitting fiber, two receiving fiber, and a reflector with two edges, each edge partially covering one of the receiving fibers. A triaxial sensor system has at least two two-fiber sensors.

Fiber optic acceleration and displacement sensors

A catheter with many fiber optic pressure sensors. The sensor diaphragm is formed from a wafer with a thin silicon layer and a silicon substrate layer separated by a silicon dioxide layer. A method includes masking and etching channels through the silicon substrate layer in a pattern of concentric circles to form a concentric circular etched channels and cylindrical unetched portions of the silicon substrate layer between the channels, exposing the silicon dioxide in the etched regions, and dissolving the exposed silicon dioxide to expose the crystalline silicon layer in the etched regions. The unetched cylindrical portion of the silicon substrate forms the diaphragm support element and the thin silicon layer forms the diaphragm. After applying a reflective coating to the exposed thin silicon layer, the support element face is adhered to the end face of a tubular housing, and a fiber optic probe is inserted in the tubular housing.

Fiber optic pressure sensors and catheters

A strain sensor includes an optical fiber with at least one optical fiber, a reflector body with a reflective surface, a housing affixed to the optical fiber probe and to the reflector body. The reflective surface is spaced apart at a distance d from the ends of the probe's fibers and receives light from the end of the fiber and to reflect at least a portion of the light into the end of the fiber. The housing is attached to the fiber probe at a first end of the housing and attached to the reflector body at a second end of the housing. The housing is affixed to the material to be measured, and in the material causes a change in gap between the fiber end and the reflective surface, modulating the amount of light received in the receiving fiber, detectable by a photodetector connected to the receiving fiber.

Intensity modulated fiber optic strain sensor

A fiber optic sensor for measuring static pressure includes a cartridge housing having an end that is exposed to the atmosphere, a thin flexible membrane covering the exposed end of the cartridge housing such that the flexible membrane has an exposed side and a protected side, and a fiber bundle disposed within the cartridge housing, the fiber bundle comprising at least one fiber having a first polished end for transmitting light toward the membrane and a second end for being coupled to a light source or a receiver, the housing arranged to maintain the membrane at a distance from the first end of the fiber in a direction along a fiber axis, with free space between the first fiber end and the protected side of the flexible membrane.

Intensity modulated fiber optic static pressure sensor system

A multiplexed fiber optic sensor system including a first optical fiber having a first end arranged to receive light from a light souce, at least two optical fibers having diameters smaller than the first optical fiber, and at least two fiber optic sensors, each of the at least two smaller diameter optical fibers arranged between the first optical fiber and one of the sensors for transmitting light from the first optical fiber to that sensor. The sensors can be static or dynamic pressure sensors, strain sensors, temperature sensors or other environmental sensors.

Multiplexed fiber optic sensor system

A fiber optic pressure sensor includes an optical fiber for transmitting light. The optical fiber has an axis. The fiber optic pressure sensor also includes an etched diaphragm perpendicular to the axis. The diaphragm includes an operative side located at a distance from the optical fiber sufficient to reflect a portion of the transmitted light into the optical fiber. The etched diaphragm includes a semiconductor, a dielectric, and/or a metal.

Fiber optic pressure sensor

A fiber optic pressure sensor featuring a cartridge housing having an end that is exposed to the atmosphere, a thin flexible membrane covering the exposed end of the cartridge housing such that the flexible membrane has an exposed side and a protected side. A fiber bundle is disposed within the cartridge housing, featuring a transmitting fiber having a first and second ends. The first end has a polished finish and the second end is coupled to a light source. The fiber bundle also features a multitude of receiving fibers disposed around the transmitting fiber with each receiving fiber having first and second ends where the first ends are also polished. The fiber bundle is disposed within the cartridge housing such that the first end of the transmitting fiber and the first end of each receiving fiber is adjacent to the protected side of the flexible membrane with free space between the first fiber end and the protected side of the flexible membrane. A light sensing means is coupled to second end of said receiving fibers wherein light launched into the transmitting fiber propagates emerges at the polished end, propagates a very short distance in air, and is reflected by the flexible membrane into the receiving fibers, propagates therethrough, and is detected by light sensing means. Upon a change in the atmospheric pressure, pressure waves cause the flexible membrane to distort causing a change in the amount of light reflected by the protected side of the flexible membrane. Thus the intensity of the light coupled into the sensing fibers begins to modulate in relation to the intensity of pressure wave.

Growing community of inventors

Silver Spring, MD, United States of America

Nicholas Lagakos