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Fiber optic fluid detector

  • US 4,834,497 A
  • Filed: 02/27/1987
  • Issued: 05/30/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In fiber optic apparatus for detecting a predetermined fluid or any of a predetermined group of fluids, said apparatus having at least one fiber optic element which includes a light transmissive core and a coating thereon, a light source positioned to direct light into said fiber optic element for transmission therealong by repetitive internal reflections at the interface between said core and coating, and light detection means for detecting light which is emitted from said fiber optic element, the improvement comprising:

  • said fiber optic element being absorptive of said fluid or fluids, said coating along at least a portion of said core being a material which is absorptive of said fluid or fluids and which has an optical property that changes upon absorption of said fluid or fluids, and wherein said light detection means detects changes in a property of said emitted light that are caused by said changes of the optical property of the coating; and

    wherein said coating material has an index of refraction that changes upon absorption of said fluid or fluids and wherein said light is emitted from a first end of said fiber optic element, and wherein said light detection means includes a light detector spaced apart from said end of said fiber optic element, further including an opaque shield disposed between said first end and said light detector and having a configuration which blocks a portion of said emitted light from said detector.

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