The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 25, 1986
Filed:
Oct. 10, 1979
Kenneth A James, Corona Del Mar, CA (US);
William H Quick, La Habra Heights, CA (US);
Virgil H Strahan, Orange, CA (US);
Rockwell International Corporation, El Segundo, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and, in one embodiment of the invention, the resulting apparatus for implementing a unique multiple beam fringe sensor that is adapted to be interfaced with a low cost, compact fiber optic transmission system in order to provide an accurate digital representation of a physical parameter (e.g. temperature) of a remote sample. The sensor is fabricated so as to include a Fabry-Perot gap formed between the ends of two mated optical fibers. By examining the optical characteristics of light that is transmitted through the Fabry-Perot sensor gap, an indication of gap width can be ascertained. Accordingly, a change in Fabry-Perot sensor gap width is related to a change in the particular physical parameter to be measured. In another embodiment of the invention, a second unique multiple beam fringe sensor having a Fabry-Perot gap is disclosed that is also adapted to provide an accurate digital representation of a physical parameter (e.g. temperature) of a remote sample. The sensor may be fabricated in two segments. A fiber containing segment includes each of a driving optical fiber for supplying incident light signals to the Fabry-Perot gap and a sensing optical fiber for receiving output light signals that have been transmitted twice through the Fabry-Perot gap, the optical characteristics of which output signals provide an indication of the parameter to be sensed. A transducer segment includes the Fabry-Perot gap formed therein and means responsive to the physical parameter for changing the width of the Fabry-Perot gap and, accordingly, the optical characteristics of the light signals passing therethrough.