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:
Mar. 18, 2014
Filed:
May. 06, 2011
Interferometric material sensing apparatus including adjustable reference arm and associated methods
Robert M. Montgomery, Indialantic, FL (US);
Randy L. Carmean, Malabar, FL (US);
Charles Franklin Middleton, Iv, Rockledge, FL (US);
James G. Tonti, Malabar, FL (US);
Robert M. Montgomery, Indialantic, FL (US);
Randy L. Carmean, Malabar, FL (US);
Charles Franklin Middleton, IV, Rockledge, FL (US);
James G. Tonti, Malabar, FL (US);
Harris Corporation, Melbourne, FL (US);
Abstract
A material sensing apparatus includes an excitation source configured to induce waves in a workpiece, and an optical waveguide interferometer configured to sense the induced waves in the workpiece. The optical waveguide interferometer includes a plurality of optical couplers and interconnecting optical fibers arranged to define a reference arm, a measurement arm, and a probe segment coupled to the reference arm and the measurement arm and having a probe segment end to be positioned adjacent the workpiece. An optical path length adjustor is coupled to the reference arm. A controller cooperates with the optical path length adjustor and the first optical detector. The controller is configured to adjust an optical path length of the reference arm to maintain a constant relationship with respect to an optical path length of the measurement arm, and to generate workpiece data based upon the first optical detector.