Multiplexed fiber optic sensor system
First Claim
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1. A fiber optic sensor system comprising:
- a first optical fiber having a first end arranged to receive light from a light source and a second end arranged to transmit light out of the first optical fiber;
at least two optical fibers having diameters smaller than the first optical fiber; and
at least two fiber optic sensors;
each of the at least two smaller diameter optical fibers arranged between the first optical fiber and one of the sensors for transmitting light from the first optical fiber to that sensor,and the at least two smaller diameter fibers have ends that face toward the second end of the first optical fiber, such that each of the two smaller diameter fibers receive a portion of the light from the first optical fiber and transmit the light portion to one of the two sensors.
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Abstract
A multiplexed fiber optic sensor system including a first optical fiber having a first end arranged to receive light from a light souce, at least two optical fibers having diameters smaller than the first optical fiber, and at least two fiber optic sensors, each of the at least two smaller diameter optical fibers arranged between the first optical fiber and one of the sensors for transmitting light from the first optical fiber to that sensor. The sensors can be static or dynamic pressure sensors, strain sensors, temperature sensors or other environmental sensors.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A fiber optic sensor system comprising:
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a first optical fiber having a first end arranged to receive light from a light source and a second end arranged to transmit light out of the first optical fiber; at least two optical fibers having diameters smaller than the first optical fiber; and at least two fiber optic sensors; each of the at least two smaller diameter optical fibers arranged between the first optical fiber and one of the sensors for transmitting light from the first optical fiber to that sensor, and the at least two smaller diameter fibers have ends that face toward the second end of the first optical fiber, such that each of the two smaller diameter fibers receive a portion of the light from the first optical fiber and transmit the light portion to one of the two sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fiber optic system comprising:
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a plurality of optical fibers for transmitting light from a sensor to a photodetector, each optical fiber having a diameter, an optical fiber having a diameter larger than the plurality of optical fibers, the larger diameter optical fiber arranged abutting against the plurality of optical fibers to receive light from the plurality of optical fibers, and a photodetector ananged to receive the light from the larger diameter optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of sensing pressure with a plurality of fiber optic sensors, the method comprising:
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transmitting light through a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber having a first end arranged to receive light from a light source and a second end arranged to transmit light out of the first optical fiber; a plurality of optical fibers having a diameter smaller than the first optical fiber receiving light from the first optical fiber, and the plurality of optical fibers have ends that face toward the second end of the first optical fiber, such that each of the two smaller diameter fibers receive a portion of the light from the first optical fiber and transmit the light portion to one of the sensors; each of the sensors sensing an environmental condition and further transmitting a portion of the light to a photodetector, an amount of light received by the photodetectors being indicative of the sensed environmental condition. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification