Optical sensor
AssigneeGeosensor Corporation
InventorsJohn Luscombe, Gary J. Craig, John L. Maida, Jr., Louis W. Erath, Malcolm Paul Varnham, Ed Kluth
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Abstract
An element that is sensitive to a pressure or acceleration signal comprises an optical element capable of changing its index of refraction and/or path length in response to a time varying pressure or in response to acceleration and a pliant mounting member supporting the optical element. The mounting member changes its geometrical configuration in response to the time varying pressure or acceleration. Some embodiments of the invention use a mechanical amplifier to achieve the needed sensitivity.
Claims20
A sensor adapted to receive a seismic signal comprising:
- a. an optical fiber capable of changing length in response to the seismic signal;
- b. a pliant tube surrounding and supporting the fiber, the tube bonded to the fiber;
- and
- c. a convex, seismic signal sensitive member, the member coupled to the pliant tube at spaced apart points on the tube, wherein the member is subject to a geometrical configuration change in response to the seismic signal, thereby imparting a change in length of the tube in response to the seismic signal.
A seismic sensor array comprising:
- a. an optical fiber including a Bragg grating;
- and
- b. a plurality of seismic sensors bonded to the fiber, one of said plurality of seismic sensors bonded to the fiber over the Bragg grating.
A seismic sensor array comprising:
- a. an optical fiber including a Bragg grating;
- and
- b. a plurality of seismic sensors bonded to the fiber, said plurality of seismic sensors bonded to the fiber at a position other than the Bragg grating.
A hydrophone comprising:
- a. an optical fiber including a Bragg grating;
- b. a tubular member around and bonded to the optical fiber over the Bragg grating;
- and
- c. a hollow, disc-shaped chamber sealed to the tubular member so that the tubular member passes through the chamber.
A geophone comprising:
- a. an optical fiber including a Bragg grating;
- b. a tubular member around and bonded to the optical fiber over the Bragg grating;
- c. a hollow, disc-shaped chamber sealed to the tubular member so that the tubular member passes through the chamber;
- d. a mass secured to the chamber;
- and
- e. a base to support the chamber.
A hydrophone comprising:
- a. an optical fiber including a Bragg grating;
- b. a tubular member around and bonded to the optical fiber over the Bragg grating;
- c. an elongated spheroidal chamber of circular cross-section, the chamber sealed to the tubular member so that the tubular member passes through the chamber.
A geophone comprising:
- a. an optical fiber;
- b. a tubular member bonded to and around the optical fiber;
- c. a cylindrical chamber having end walls bonded to the tubular member;
- d. a Bragg grating in the optical fiber between the end walls;
- and
- e. a movable weight within the chamber and bonded to the tubular member.
A hydrophone comprising:
- a. an optical fiber;
- b . a hollow, disc-shaped chamber comprising:
- i. an upper disc half;
- ii. a lower disc half;
- and
- iii. a substantially vertical member between and sealed to the upper and lower disc halves;
- and
- c. wherein the optical fiber is wrapped around the vertical member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.