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Fiber optic moisture sensor

  • US 5,440,927 A
  • Filed: 02/25/1994
  • Issued: 08/15/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for the measurement of the level of moisture in a gaseous phase utilizing an optical sensor, said sensor comprising a film of a polymer, said polymer having embedded therein a predetermined amount of a salt complex of a metal ion and an organic compound, wherein said salt complex emits fluorescence within a determined wavelength range, said polymer optically transparent in said wavelength range, and wherein said salt complex absorbs the moisture in said gaseous phase, the fluorescence emission being sensitive to quenching by said moisture, said method comprising the steps of:

  • contacting said optically transparent polymer with said gaseous phase;

    introducing excitation light into the distal end of a first optical fiber and communicating said excitation light to said polymer through the proximal end of said first optical fiber to induce said fluorescence emission;

    collecting said fluorescence emission into the proximal end of a second optical fiber;

    detecting said fluorescence emission through the distal end of said second optical fiber;

    measuring the quenching of said fluorescence emission; and

    determining the level of moisture in said gaseous phase.

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