Pressure-sensitive optrode
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for sensing changes in pressure and for generating optical signals related to said changes in pressure, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a fiber optic through which light from at least one associated light source is transmitted from a first end of the fiber optic to a second end of the fiber optic;
(b) resilient means operationally associated with the second end of the fiber optic, the resilient means having a movable surface which moves relative to the second end of the fiber optic along an axis of the fiber optic in response to changes in pressure and the movable surface having a fluorescent composition attached to one side such that light transmitted by the fiber optic impinges on the fluorescent composition, causing it to generate an optical signal;
(c) a beam splitting means adjacent to the first end of the fiber optic for separating light from at least one associated light source from the optical signal generated by the fluorescent composition and transmitted by the fiber optic; and
(d) detection means adjacent to the beam-splitting means for collecting and analyzing the optical signal generated by the fluorescent composition and transmitted by the fiber optic.
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for sensing changes in pressure and for generating optical signals related to changes in pressure. Light from a fiber optic is directed to a movable surface which is coated with a light-responsive material, and which moves relative to the end of the fiber optic in response to changes in pressure. The same fiber optic collects a portion of the reflected or emitted light from the movable surface. Changes in pressure are determined by measuring changes in the amount of light collected.
84 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sensing changes in pressure and for generating optical signals related to said changes in pressure, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a fiber optic through which light from at least one associated light source is transmitted from a first end of the fiber optic to a second end of the fiber optic; (b) resilient means operationally associated with the second end of the fiber optic, the resilient means having a movable surface which moves relative to the second end of the fiber optic along an axis of the fiber optic in response to changes in pressure and the movable surface having a fluorescent composition attached to one side such that light transmitted by the fiber optic impinges on the fluorescent composition, causing it to generate an optical signal; (c) a beam splitting means adjacent to the first end of the fiber optic for separating light from at least one associated light source from the optical signal generated by the fluorescent composition and transmitted by the fiber optic; and (d) detection means adjacent to the beam-splitting means for collecting and analyzing the optical signal generated by the fluorescent composition and transmitted by the fiber optic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification