Security switch
AssigneeMicron Optics, Inc.
InventorStephen K. FERGUSON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to optical switching devices and switch modules that are designed for long-term security monitoring of high-value infrastructure access entry points. Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include optical switches based on fiber-Bragg gratings whose operating wavelengths are based on the presence or absence of magnetic coupling between an embedded permanent magnet and an external element. By monitoring the spectral position of the operating wavelengths and/or the magnitude of a light signal at the operating wavelengths, the state of the magnetic coupling can be determined and used as an indicator of whether the security switch has been actuated.
Claims20
A switch module comprising:
- a first fiber-Bragg grating (FBG) portion that includes a first FBG characterized by a first operating wavelength, wherein the first FBG portion has a first length, and wherein the first operating wavelength is based on the first length;
- and
- a first magnet that is mechanically coupled with the first FBG portion such that a first motion of the first magnet induces a first change in the first operating wavelength.
A switch module comprising:
- (1) a housing;
- and
- (2) a switch that is contained within the housing, wherein the switch includes:
- (i) a first fiber-Bragg grating (FBG) portion that includes a first FBG characterized by a first operating wavelength, wherein the first FBG portion has a first length that extends between a first attachment point and a second attachment point, and wherein the first operating wavelength is based on the first length;
- (ii) a pivot assembly that includes the first attachment point;
- and
- (iii) a first magnet that is mechanically coupled with the pivot assembly such that a first motion of the first magnet rotates the first attachment point about a rotation axis and induces a first change in the first length.
A method comprising:
- (1) providing a switch by operations that include:
- (i) attaching a first fiber-Bragg grating (FBG) portion that includes a first FBG characterized by a first operating wavelength to a first attachment point and a second attachment point, wherein the first FBG portion is mounted such that it has a first length defined by the separation between the first and second attachment points, and wherein the first operating wavelength is based on the first length;
- and
- (ii) providing a first magnet that is mechanically coupled with the first attachment point such that a first motion of the first magnet induces a first change in the first length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.