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:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 27, 1998
Bruce Youmans, Sierra Vista, AZ (US);
Victor Vali, Laguna Hills, CA (US);
Colleen Fitzpatrick, Fountain Valley, CA (US);
Rice Systems, Inc., Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
A sensor, an optical accelerometer, which is sensitive enough for the measurement of nano-g's as well as thousands of g's. The sensor is created by an optical waveguide coil which is secured to a substrate. At one end of the waveguide coil, a mirror reflects the emitting light back into the waveguide coil. Positioned along one side of the substrate, a proof mass is adapted to exert force against and deform the optical waveguide coil during acceleration of the sensor. An identical optical waveguide coil is secured to the opposing side of the substrate with its associated proof mass positioned on the side of the substrate opposite the other side's proof mass. A beamsplitter communicates light into the ends of the two waveguide coils and then a monitor uses the light being emitted from the ends of the coils to measure the g's being applied.