Fiber optic pitch or roll sensor
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorGregory H. Ames
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a fiber optic sensing device having utility as a roll sensor and/or a pitch sensor. The sensing device comprises at least one optical fiber supported in a structure, a movable mass supported within the structure, and at least one detector for detecting changes in tension in the at least one optical fiber due to movement of the movable mass. In the sensor of the present invention, the optical fiber(s) are the only deformable structures, thus maximizing sensitivity.
Claims14
A sensing device which comprises:
- at least one optical fiber supported in a structure;
- a movable mass supported within the structure;
- and
- means for detecting changes in tension in said at least one optical fiber due to movement of said movable mass.
A sensor for detecting roll in a towed array, said sensor comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers supported in a structure;
- a movable mass supported within the structure by said optical fibers;
- and
- means for detecting changes in tension in each of said optical fibers due to movement of said movable mass.
A sensor for detecting pitch in a towed array comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers supported in a structure;
- a movable mass supported within the structure by said plurality of optical fibers;
- and
- means for detecting changes in tension in each of said optical fibers due to movement of said movable mass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.