US 2007/0090281 A1Published application

Optic system using spectral character shift for communication between optic input devices and reader devices for control systems and sensors for pressure, force, displacement, or chemical condition

OwnerNate Colemaninventor

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Abstract

An improved optic system for measuring and/or controlling displacement, force, pressure, position, or chemistry is disclosed. This apparatus allows for more accurate, robust, and economical communication between the transducer (or control input element) and the reader device (or control output), allows the use of a single optic fiber and/or or a gap for the communication link, and produces substantial insensitivity to attenuation due to mechanical, chemical, thermal, and radiation effects acting on the optic fiber or open space in which the signal propagates. It is also significantly immune to interference from electromagnetic radiation, since the link can be easily produced as a non-conductor which will not propagate unwanted electrical energy or lightning, and is intrinsically safe from igniting fires or explosions. It also facilitates use on rotating machinery and remote location of the transducer by the ability to transmit the signal across a large gap or air space.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A communication system for a sensor comprising:

(a) a transducer which receives an input light signal and returns an output light signal with two or more distinct components at least one of which changes predictably in relation to a pressure, force, or displacement acting upon the transducer, wherein the characteristics of at least one component of the output light signal is affected in a different manner by the pressure, force or displacement acting on the transducer than the other component or components of the output light signal;
(b) an input light signal;
(c) a single strand optic fiber which conducts the input light signal from the light source into the transducer and returns a modified light signal along the same single strand optic fiber;
(d) a light splitter located along the single strand optic fiber, between the light source and the transducer, which causes a portion of the returning output light signal to be transmitted into a separate communication channel;
(e) a reader device which receives the returning output light signal spilt off by the light splitter and decodes it into a pressure, force or displacement reading;
and
(f) a communication channel between the light splitter and the reader device.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.