US 4,904,085 AGranted

Polarimetric fiber optic sensor testing apparatus

AssigneeSimmonds Precision Products, Inc.

InventorsWilliam B. Spillman Jr., Robert E. Rudd III, Frederick G. Hoff

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Abstract

A sensor testing apparatus which is capable of testing any sensor regardless of the type of polarization the sensor is sensitive to. The testing apparatus comprises a source conditioning apparatus to produce a beam of optical energy of a known polarization state. A polarization conditioning apparatus changes the polarization state of the optical energy beam to any desired polarization state. A transmit quadrant detector detects the polarization of the optical energy and the optical energy is directed to a sensor to be tested. The optical energy transmitted by the sensor is detected by a receive quadrant detector. The polarization state is displayed on the monitor of a computer by virtue of a computer interface with both quadrant detectors.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An apparatus to generate and detect any form of polarized light transmitted and received from a fiber optic sensor, said fiber optic sensor having a first fiber optic through which optical energy is supplied to the sensor and a second fiber optic through which said optical energy transmitted by said sensor is transmitted comprising:

optical energy source means for generating and transmitting a beam of optical energy along an optical path, said beam having a first polarization state;
polarization changing means disposed along said optical path, said polarization changing means being adapted to change the polarization state of said beam having a first polarization state to form a beam of light having a second polarization state;
a first detector means adapted to detect the polarization of said beam of light having a second polarization state after said beam having a second polarization state exits said polarization changing means;
means for transmitting said beam having a second polarization state along said optical path to a sensor to be tested, said sensor being adapted to transmit said beam;
and
a second detector means adapted to detect the polarization state of said beam transmitted by said sensor.

3 more elements

A method of testing a fiber optic sensor comprising the steps of:

generating a beam of optical energy;
transmitting said beam of optical energy along an optical path;
horizontally polarizing said beam;
changing the polarization state of said beam to any desired polarization state;
detecting the polarization state of said beam;
transmitting said beam to said sensor;
transmitting said beam out of said sensor;
detecting the polarization state of said beam transmitted by said sensor,

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.