Fiber optic hydrophone

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869294

Kuzmenko, Paul J ^[1]; Davis, Donald T ^[1]

---

1. Livermore, CA

A miniature fiber optic hydrophone based on the principles of a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The hydrophone, in one embodiment, includes a body having a shaped flexible bladder at one end which defines a volume containing air or suitable gas, and including a membrane disposed adjacent a vent. An optic fiber extends into the body with one end terminating in spaced relation to the membrane. Acoustic waves in the water that impinge on the bladder cause the pressure of the volume therein to vary causing the membrane to deflect and modulate the reflectivity of the Fabry-Perot cavity formed by the membrane surface and the cleaved end of the optical fiber disposed adjacent to the membrane. When the light is transmitted down the optical fiber, the reflected signal is amplitude modulated by the incident acoustic wave. Another embodiment utilizes a fluid filled volume within which the fiber optic extends.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5311485
• OSTI ID: 869294
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

fiber
optic
hydrophone
miniature
based
principles
fabry-perot
interferometer
embodiment
shaped
flexible
bladder
defines
volume
containing
air
suitable
gas
including
membrane
disposed
adjacent
extends
terminating
spaced
relation
acoustic
waves
water
impinge
pressure
therein
vary
causing
deflect
modulate
reflectivity
cavity
formed
surface
cleaved
optical
light
transmitted
reflected
signal
amplitude
modulated
incident
wave
utilizes
fluid
filled
volume containing
amplitude modulated
membrane surface
fluid filled
embodiment utilizes
fabry-perot interferometer
spaced relation
optic fiber
acoustic wave
disposed adjacent
fiber optic
optical fiber
acoustic waves
cavity formed
suitable gas
reflected signal
fabry-perot cavity
containing air
shaped flexible
optic hydrophone
/367/