Break detection system using optical fibers having unique frequency modulated light
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Fiber optic detection system comprising:
- a plurality of fiber optic elements, each element having an input end and an output end;
light inputting means for inputting modulated encoded light to each of said input ends of said fiber optic elements wherein each fiber optic element receives a light code having a unique modulated frequency so that each fiber optic element will be assigned a different pre-selected frequency;
light detecting means for interrogating the output ends of said fiber optic elements wherein the absence of one or more unique light codes indicates a break in at least one of said fiber optic elements.
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Abstract
A fiber optic detection system comprising an array of fiber optic elements is presented. Each fiber optic element is uniquely encoded using a plurality of discrete ferquencies, digital codes or other encoding techniques. When a break occurs in one or more fiber optic elements, the missing light frequencies or digital codes are sensed, thereby indicating the break. Preferably, the fiber optic elements are arranged in a grid pattern so that precise location of the break can be made.
36 Citations
19 Claims
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1. Fiber optic detection system comprising:
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a plurality of fiber optic elements, each element having an input end and an output end; light inputting means for inputting modulated encoded light to each of said input ends of said fiber optic elements wherein each fiber optic element receives a light code having a unique modulated frequency so that each fiber optic element will be assigned a different pre-selected frequency; light detecting means for interrogating the output ends of said fiber optic elements wherein the absence of one or more unique light codes indicates a break in at least one of said fiber optic elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8)
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7. A method of detection using a fiber optic detection system including a plurality of fiber optic elements, each element having an input end and an output end, comprising the steps of:
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inputting modulated encoded light to each of said input ends of said fiber optic elements wherein each fiber optic element receives a light code having a unique modulated frequency so that each fiber optic element will be assigned a different pre-selected frequency; and interrogating the output ends of said fiber optic elements wherein the presence and absence of one or more of said unique light codes is detected and wherein the absence of one or more of said unique light codes indicates a break in at least one of said fiber optic elements.
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9. Fiber optic detection system comprising:
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a plurality of fiber optic elements, each element having an input end and an output end, said plurality of fiber optic elements being arranged in a grid configuration defining an array of X fiber optic elements and an array of Y fiber optic elements; light inputting means for inputting modulated encoded light to each of said input ends of said fiber optic elements wherein each fiber optic element in said X array receives a light code having a unique modulated frequency so that each fiber optic element in said X array will be assigned a different pre-selected frequency and each fiber optic element in said Y array receives a light code having a unique modulated frequency so that each fiber optic element in said Y array will be assigned a different pre-selected frequency; light detecting means for interrogating the output ends of said fiber optic elements in said X and Y arrays wherein the absence of one or more of said unique light codes indicates a break in at least one of said fiber optic elements. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of detection using a fiber optic detection system including a plurality of fiber optic elements arranged in a grid configuration defining an array of X fiber optic elements and an array of Y fiber optic elements, each element having an input end and an output end, comprising the steps of:
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inputting modulated encoded light to each of said input ends of said fiber optic elements in said X array wherein each fiber optic element in said X array receives a light code having a unique modulated frequency so that each fiber optic element in said X array will be assigned a different pre-selected frequency; inputting modulated encoded light to each of said input ends of said fiber optic elements in said Y array wherein each fiber optic element in said Y array receives a light code having a unique modulated frequency so that each fiber optic element in said Y array will be assigned a different pre-selected frequency; interrogating the output ends of said fiber optic elements in said X array wherein the presence and absence of one or more of said unique light codes is detected and wherein the absence of one or more of said unique light codes indicates a break in at least one of said fiber optic elements in said X array; and interrogating the output ends of said fiber optic elements in said Y array wherein the presence and absence of one or more of said unique light codes is detected and wherein the absence of one or more of said unique light codes indicates a break in at least one of said fiber optic elements in said Y array. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. Fiber optic detection system comprising:
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a plurality of fiber optic elements, each element having an input end and an output end, said plurality of fiber optic elements being arranged in a grid configuration defining an array of X fiber optic elements and an array of Y fiber optic elements; light inputting means for inputting encoded light to each of said input ends of said fiber optic elements wherein each fiber optic element in said X array receives a unique light code and each fiber optic element in said Y array receives a unique light code; light detecting means for interrogating the output ends of said fiber optic elements in said X and Y arrays wherein the absence of one or more unique light codes indicates a break in at least one of said fiber optic elements said light detecting means comprising first photodiode means for detecting light from said X array and second photodiode means for detecting light from said Y array with said output ends of all of said X array fiber optic elements terminating at said first photodiode means and said output ends of all of said Y array fiber optic elements terminating at said second photodiode means; said unique light code comprising a unique frequency wherein each fiber optic element in said X array is assigned encoded light having a different preselected frequency and each fiber optic element in said Y array is assigned encoded light having a different preselected frequency; and fast fourier transformer means for separating said light detected by said first and second photodiode means into said preselected frequencies.
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Specification