Detection device using optical fiber
AssigneeLite Industries, Inc.
InventorRobert D. Morgan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods for a detection device using optical fiber are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a detection device comprising a splitter, where the splitter is to be connected to a feed leg of an optical fiber, and the splitter is to split the feed leg of the optical fiber into a destination leg and a detection leg, where the detection leg is oriented in a loop, and an actuation mechanism, where when the actuation mechanism is in an engaged orientation, the actuation mechanism is to cause a microbend in the detection leg, and when the actuation mechanism is in a disengaged orientation, the actuation mechanism is to cause the microbend to be removed from the detection leg.
Claims20
A detection device, comprising:
- a splitter, wherein:
- the splitter is configured to be connected to a feed leg of an optical fiber;
- and
- the splitter is configured to split the feed leg of the optical fiber into a destination leg and a detection leg, wherein the detection leg is oriented in a loop;
- an actuation mechanism, wherein:
- when the actuation mechanism is in an engaged orientation, the actuation mechanism is configured to cause a microbend in the detection leg;
- and
- when the actuation mechanism is in a disengaged orientation, the actuation mechanism is configured to cause the microbend to be removed from the detection leg.
A detection device, comprising:
- an optical fiber including a feed leg;
- a detection device including:
- a splitter configured to be connected to the feed leg, wherein the splitter is configured to split the feed leg into a destination leg and a detection leg oriented in a loop such that when light waves are generated by a light source and propagated through the feed leg, the splitter causes:
- a first portion of the light waves to be propagated through the destination leg;
- and
- a second portion of the light waves to be propagated through the detection leg;
- and
- an actuation mechanism, wherein:
- when the actuation mechanism is in an engaged orientation, the actuation mechanism is configured to cause a microbend in the loop of the detection leg such that the second portion of the light waves are attenuated in the loop;
- and
- when the actuation mechanism is in a disengaged orientation, the actuation mechanism is configured to cause the microbend to be removed from the loop of the detection leg such that the second portion of the light waves are propagated around the loop of the detection leg and back to the feed leg causing the second portion of the light waves to be propagated back towards the light source;
- and
- a controller configured to determine when the actuation mechanism is in the disengaged orientation.
A system, comprising:
- a housing including an access point and a trigger;
- an optical fiber including a feed leg, wherein the optical fiber enters the housing via the feed leg;
- a detection device located in the housing, the detection device including:
- a splitter configured to be connected to the feed leg, wherein the splitter is configured to split the feed leg into a destination leg that exits the housing and a detection leg oriented in a loop such that when light waves are generated by a light source and propagated through the feed leg, the splitter causes:
- a first portion of the light waves to be propagated through the destination leg;
- and
- a second portion of the light waves to be propagated through the detection leg;
- and
- an actuation mechanism, wherein:
- the trigger causes the actuation mechanism to be in an engaged orientation when the access point is secured with the housing such that the actuation mechanism causes a microbend in the loop of the detection leg causing the second portion of the light waves to be attenuated in the loop;
- and
- when the access point of the housing is accessed, the trigger causes the actuation mechanism to be in a disengaged orientation such that the actuation mechanism causes the microbend to be removed from the loop of the detection leg causing:
- the second portion of the light waves to be propagated around the loop of the detection leg and back to the feed leg;
- and
- the second portion of the light waves to be propagated back towards the light source;
- and
- a controller configured to determine when the actuation mechanism is in the disengaged orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.