Enhanced sensitivity pressure tolerant fiber optic hydrophone
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorGregory H. Ames
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An interferometric hydrophone operable for use in surrounding fluid, includes an outer mandrel having an interior open to the surrounding fluid. A sensing optical fiber is wound on the exterior of the outer mandrel. An inner mandrel is positioned in the interior of the outer mandrel. A chamber defined between the inner mandrel and outer mandrel is in communication with the surrounding fluid. The inner mandrel has a sealed gas filled interior. Compression and expansion of the inner mandrel results in compression and expansion of the outer mandrel.
Claims9
An interferometric hydrophone operable for use in surrounding fluid, comprising:
- an outer mandrel defining an outer mandrel exterior and an outer mandrel interior which is open to said surrounding fluid, said outer mandrel having a first end and a second end;
- sensing optical fiber having a first end, a wound portion wound upon said outer mandrel exterior, and a second end;
- an inner mandrel positioned within said outer mandrel interior, said inner mandrel defining an inner mandrel interior, said outer mandrel and said inner mandrel defining a chamber therebetween, said inner mandrel being joined to said outer mandrel so that fluctuation in the volume of said inner mandrel causes a corresponding fluctuation in the volume of said outer mandrel;
- and
- a gas filling said inner mandrel interior.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.