×

Thermal dilation fiber optical flow sensor

  • US 5,208,650 A
  • Filed: 09/30/1991
  • Issued: 05/04/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A thermal dilation type optical flow sensor comprising:

  • probe reflecting means disposed in a flowing fluid for reflecting incident coherent light within a light pipe, wherein a phase of a reflected light within said light pipe relative to a phase of said incident light varies according to a temperature of said probe means;

    optical heating means for heating said probe means with a predetermined heat; and

    measurement means for measuring said relative phase of said reflected light relative to said phase of said incident light and calculating said flow rate based on said relative phase of said reflected light relative to said incident light and said predetermined heat; and

    wherein said probe reflecting means comprises;

    an optical fiber disposed in said flowing fluid;

    an absorbing cladding on a portion of said optical fiber comprising a material for absorbing light wherein said optical heating means comprises said absorbing material; and

    a reflector disposed on a first end of said optical fiber, opposite to a second end connected to said measurement means.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×