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:
Oct. 12, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 16, 1998
Lance A Wood, Winter Park, CO (US);
Paul J Caldwell, Highlands Ranch, CO (US);
Terrance L Worchesky, Columbia, MD (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
A built-in-test capability is provided for determining the integrity of an optical fiber connecting: (a) an optical firing unit having a primary light source emitting a first wavelength, a test light source emitting a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, a mechanism both for coupling light from the light sources to the optical fiber and also for coupling the return light to a detector; and (b) an optically-initiated device which is coupled to a second end of the optical fiber. The apparatus includes a photoluminescent material disposed at a junction of the optically-initiated device and the second end of the optical fiber. In test mode, this photoluminescent material is exposed to the test light source, which results in photoluminescence at a third wavelength. The photoluminescent light travels through the optical fiber to the detector, and when detected indicates optical fiber continuity. The present system can also measure the temperature at the distal end of the optical fiber by detecting changes in the peak wavelength or amplitude associated with the third wavelength as a function of temperature. When the system is used to initiate ordnance, the detector can also detect the initial flash of light produced by the ordnance to provide confirmation that the ordnance has ignited.