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US 6,281,488 B1Granted
Fiber optic coupled optical sensor
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorKevin J. Fleming
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A displacement sensor includes a first optical fiber for radiating light to a target, and a second optical fiber for receiving light from the target. The end of the first fiber is adjacent and not axially aligned with the second fiber end. A lens focuses light from the first fiber onto the target and light from the target onto the second fiber.
Claims16
A sensor comprising:
- a first optical fiber having a first input end for receiving optical radiation from a radiation source and a first output end for radiating radiation transmitted through said fiber;
- a target for emitting radiation when illuminated by radiation from the source;
- a second optical fiber having a second input end for receiving radiation and a second output end for coupling radiation transmitted through said second fiber to a detector, said first output end being adjacent and not axially aligned with said second input end;
- and
- lens means for focusing radiation from said first output end onto said target and for focusing radiation emitted by said target in response to said first output end onto said second input end.
2 more elements
A sensor comprising:
- a first optical fiber having a first input end for receiving optical radiation from a radiation source and a first output end for radiating radiation transmitted through said fiber;
- a target for emitting radiation when illuminated by radiation from the source;
- a second optical fiber having a second input end for receiving radiation and a second output end for coupling radiation transmitted through said second fiber to a detector, said first output end being adjacent and not axially aligned with said second input end;
- lens means for focusing radiation from said first output end onto said target and for focusing radiation emitted by said target onto said second input end;
- a case having a case bore extending from a target end on one side of said case to a fiber end on another side of said case, said lens means being fastened within said case bore adjacent to said target end, wherein said case bore extends along a case axis, and said target is aligned with said case axis;
- and
- a fiber housing having a housing bore extending through said housing for holding said fibers, wherein said first and second fibers extend through said housing bore parallel to a fiber axis, said fiber axis not being parallel to said case axis.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.