Intensity modulated fiber optic static pressure sensor system
First Claim
1. A fiber optic sensor for measuring static pressure, the sensor comprising:
- 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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
55 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A fiber optic sensor for measuring static pressure, the sensor comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for sensing static pressure comprising:
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transmitting light from an end of a first optical fiber in an optical bundle past an end of a housing that extends beyond the end of the fiber bundle;
said light being reflected by a reflective surface of a thin flexible membrane held in position by the housing with freen space between the end of the fiber bundle and the membrane;
at least a second optical fiber of the fiber bundle receiving the reflected light from the reflective surface; and
said second optical fiber transmitting the reflected light to a far end of the second optical fiber;
an intensity of the light received in the second optical fiber being indicative of a pressure level external to the thin flexible membrane.
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11. A method for sensing pressure in a human body, the method comprising:
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positioning a sensor in the human body;
the sensor transmitting light from an end of a first optical fiber in an optical bundle past an end of a housing that extends beyond the end of the fiber bundle;
said light being reflected by a reflective surface of a thin flexible membrane held in position by the housing with free space between the end of the fiber bundle and the membrane;
at least a second optical fiber of the fiber bundle receiving the reflected light from the reflective surface; and
said second optical fiber transmitting the reflected light to a far end of the second optical fiber;
an intensity of the light received in the second optical fiber being indicative of a pressure level in the body.
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Specification