Fiber optic temperature sensor
AssigneeSentec Ltd
InventorsTakeo Sawatari, Philip A. Gaubis, Brenton L. Mattes, Clark J. Charnetski
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Abstract
A fiber optic temperature sensor uses a light source which transmits light through an optical fiber to a sensor head at the opposite end of the optical fiber from the light source. The sensor head has a housing coupled to the end of the optical fiber. A metallic reflective surface is coupled to the housing adjacent the end of the optical fiber to form a gap having a predetermined length between the reflective surface and the optical fiber. A detection system is also coupled to the optical fiber which determines the temperature at the sensor head from an interference pattern of light which is reflected from the reflective surface.
Claims37
A temperature sensor comprising:
- a light source;
- an optical fiber coupled to receive light from the light source;
- a sensor head optically coupled to said optical fiber;
- said sensor head having,
- a sensor housing coupled to an end of said optical fiber opposite said light source;
- a metallic reflective surface coupled to said housing forming a gap having a predetermined length between said reflective surface and said end of said optical fiber;
- a detection system optically coupled to said optical fiber which determines the temperature at said sensor head from an interference pattern of light reflected from said reflective surface.
A temperature sensor comprising:
- a sensor unit;
- and,
- a light transmitting and receiving unit;
- wherein said sensor unit includes,
- a first optical fiber;
- a first connector portion coupled to said first optical fiber;
- a sensor housing coupled to said first optical fiber at an end opposite said connector;
- and,
- a reflective surface coupled to said housing and spaced a predetermined distance from said end of said first optical fiber;
- wherein said light transmitting and receiving unit includes,
- a light source;
- a second optical fiber coupled to receive light from said light source;
- a second connector portion coupled to said second optical fiber, said second optical fiber matingly engaging with said first connector portion so that said first optical fiber and said second optical fiber are optically coupled;
- a beam splitter coupled to said second connector portion for splitting a portion of light reflected from said reflective surface;
- and,
- a detection system optically coupled to said first optical fiber through said beam splitter which determines the temperature at said sensor unit based on an interference pattern of the light reflected from said reflective surface.
A temperature sensing unit comprising:
- an optical fiber having an end surface at a first end thereof;
- a connector portion coupled to a second end of said optical fiber opposite said first end;
- a sensor housing coupled to said optical fiber at said first end wherein said end surface is substantially enclosed by said sensor housing;
- and
- a reflector having a reflective surface coupled to said housing, said reflective surface being spaced a predetermined distance from said end surface, said end surface and said reflective surface forming an interferometer;
- wherein said sensor housing further includes a groove circumscribed on an outer surface thereof adjacent said predetermined distance for orienting said end surface of said optical fiber with respect to said reflective surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.