Self aligning fiber optic microbend sensor
First Claim
1. A self aligning microbend sensor comprisinga tubular housing having internal threads,an expandable insert with external threads loosely threaded into the housing with sufficient tolerance to allow expansion of the insert in response to a parameter being measured, anda fiber optic element between the housing and the insert and extending transverse to the threads, such that upon expansion of the insert the fiber optic element experiences microbending due to deformation by the threads.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self aligning microbend sensor comprises a tubular housing having internal threads, an expandable insert with external threads loosely threaded into the housing with sufficient tolerance to allow expansion of the insert in response to a parameter being measured while maintaining registration of the threads, and a fiber optic element between the housing and the insert and extending transverse to the threads, such that upon expansion of the insert the fiber optic element experiences microbending due to deformation by the threads.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A self aligning microbend sensor comprising
a tubular housing having internal threads, an expandable insert with external threads loosely threaded into the housing with sufficient tolerance to allow expansion of the insert in response to a parameter being measured, and a fiber optic element between the housing and the insert and extending transverse to the threads, such that upon expansion of the insert the fiber optic element experiences microbending due to deformation by the threads.
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2. A self aligning microbend sensor comprising;
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a tubular housing having internal threads, an expandable insert with external threads loosely threaded into the housing with sufficient tolerance to allow expansion of the insert in response to a parameter being measured, a relief formed in at least one of the sets of threads along a path transverse to the threads sufficient to receive a fiber optic element without deformation in the absence of insert expansion, and a fiber optic element snugly fitting within the passage, so that upon expansion of the insert the fiber optic element experiences microbending due to deformation by the threads.
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4. A self aligning microbend fluid pressure sensor comprising;
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a tubular housing having internal threads, an expandable hollow insert with external threads loosely threaded into the housing with sufficient tolerance to allow expansion of the insert in response to pressure, a resilient seal at each end of the insert between the insert and the housing for preventing fluid leakage into the threaded region between the housing and insert so that fluid pressure applied inside the insert will cause insert expansion, and a fiber optic element between the housing and the insert and extending transverse to the threads, such that upon expansion of the insert the fiber optic element experiences microbending due to deformation by the threads. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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Specification