Transducer for converting acoustic energy directly into optical energy

A transducer for converting acoustic energy directly into optical energy without first converting the energy into electrical form comprising:

• a transducer housing;
• an input optical fiber for carrying steady state optical power and having an output end fixedly positioned to the housing;
• a source of steady state optical power connected to the input optical fiber;
• an output optical fiber for carrying modulated optical power and having an input end fixedly positioned to the housing in juxtaposed relation with the output end of the input fiber to form a gap therebetween, the input end being normally optically positioned relative to the output end of the input fiber so that a predetermined portion of the optical power carried by the input optical fiber is coupled into the output optical fiber;
• a diaphragm for receiving acoustic information containing energy from a source and for producing at an output an oscillatory mechanical motion indicative of the acoustic information;
• and
• means connected to the diaphragm and extending into the gap between the respective ends thereby interrupting at least a portion of the optical power emitted from the output end of the input optical fiber so that upon impingement of acoustic energy against the diaphragm lateral movement of the means is established to cause a variance in the optical power coupled into the output optical fiber thereby providing modulation of the optical power carried by the output optical fiber.

A transducer for converting acoustic energy directly into optical energy without first converting the energy into electrical form comprising:

• an input optical fiber for carrying steady state optical power and having an output end;
• a source of steady state optical power connected to the input optical fiber;
• an output optical fiber for carrying modulated optical power and having an input end, the input end being normally optically positioned relative to the output end of the input fiber so that a predetermined portion of the optical power carried by the input optical fiber is coupled into the output optical fiber;
• a diaphragm for receiving acoustic information containing energy from a source and for producing at an output an oscillatory mechanical motion indicative of the acoustic information;
• means responsive to the mechanical output of the diaphragm for varying the portion of optical power coupled between the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber;
• a transducer housing to which the output end of the input optical fiber, the input end of the output optical fiber, the diaphragm and the means for varying the portion of coupled optical power are physically connected for support and protection,
• the optical fibers being aligned parallel to each other with the respective ends essentially coplanar and pointed in the same direction;
• and
• a porro prism pivoted at its apex and having a transmitting face parallel to the plane of the ends of the optical fibers, the prism being pivoted at its apex about a line parallel to the plane and approximately midway between the optical fibers, the porro prism being connected to the diaphragm so that upon impingement of energy against the diaphragm rocking of the prism about the line occurs causing a variance in the optical power reflected into the output optical fiber thereby producing modulation of the optical power carried by the output optical fiber.