Fiberoptic sensor using tapered and bundled fibers
AssigneeFiberoptic Sensor Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMarek T. Wlodarczyk, Gang He
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved fiberoptic pressure sensing system is disclosed by tapering the tip end of an optical fiber, or alternatively, by tapering or bundling a fiber or group of fibers within a connector. By selectively joining together fibers with a taper while tailoring numerical apertures of the connected fibers, a fiberoptic pressure sensing system is provided with an enhanced ability to increase sensitivity and signal-to-noise performance.
Claims23
In a fiberoptic pressure sensing system having an optical fiber with a sensing tip at a first end with a pressure sensitive element, the pressure sensitive element modulating a pressure sensing light signal injected into an opposite second end of the optical fiber, the improvement comprising:
- a first optical fiber portion formed by the optical fiber with a distal end forming the sensing tip;
- a second optical fiber portion adjoining said first portion at a proximal end;
- and
- a tapered fiber segment formed by the optical fiber at an intermediate location so as to light couple said first and second portions together.
A fiberoptic pressure sensing system having an optical fiber with a sensing tip at a first end with a pressure sensitive element, the pressure sensitive element modulating a pressure sensing light signal injected into an opposite second end of the optical fiber and returning the light signal into the fiber, the improvement comprising:
- a tip end provided on the optical fiber;
- and
- a taper formed adjacent said tip end which decreases the fiber diameter at said tip end.
A fiberoptic pressure sensing system having an optical fiber with a sensing tip at a first end with a pressure sensitive element, the pressure sensitive element modulating a pressure sensing light signal injected into the opposite second end of the optical fiber, the improvement comprising:
- a first optical fiber portion providing one portion of the optical fiber with a distal end forming the sensing tip;
- a second optical fiber portion adjoining said first portion at a proximal end;
- and
- a taper formed by said optical fiber interjacent said first and second portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.