Fiber optic infrared sensor
First Claim
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1. An optical sensor, comprising:
- (a) a light source for generating light;
(b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the mount of light received; and
(c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber.
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Abstract
There is disclosed an optical sensor comprising a light source, light detector and signal generator, and an optical fiber extending between the light source and detector. The optical fiber includes a sensing length comprising a return bend in the fiber, where the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber. In one embodiment, the sensing length further includes a planar sensing surface. A method for detecting the presence of a medium in an environment using the optical sensor of the invention is also disclosed.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An optical sensor, comprising:
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(a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the mount of light received; and (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for detecting the presence of a medium in an environment comprising contacting a sensing length of an optical sensor with the medium, wherein the optical sensor comprises:
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(a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the amount of light received; (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber; and (d) processing means connected to the light detector and signal generator for output signaling and for indicating the detection of a medium in the environment, such that the presence of the medium in the environment is detected. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An optical sensor, comprising:
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(a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the amount of light received; and (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber, wherein the sensing length further comprises a planar sensing surface at the apex of the return bend, and wherein the planar sensing surface has a maximum length of about twice the radius of the return bend. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for detecting the presence of a medium in an environment comprising contacting a sensing length of an optical sensor with the medium, wherein the optical sensor comprises:
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(a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the amount of light received; (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber, wherein the sensing length comprises a planar sensing surface at the apex of the return bend, and wherein the planar sensing surface has a maximum length of about twice the radius of the return bend; and (d) processing means connected to the light detector and signal generator for output signaling and for indicating the detection of a medium in the environment, such that the presence of the medium in the environment is detected. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification