Retroreflective systems for remote readout
Abstract
A sensing device is described for sensing an environmental factor. The device includes a retroreflective layer disposed in a parallel, facing relationship with a sensing layer. The sensing layer has an initial optical absorption capacity for (1) sensing a presence of an environmental factor, (2) experiencing a change in optical absorption capacity responsive to said environmental factor, and (3) transmitting and attenuating light. A first portion of the sensing layer is sealed off from exposure to the environment while a second portion remains exposed to the environment such that, when the environmental factor is present, the first portion of the sensing layer is prevented from experiencing a change in optical absorption capacity responsive to said environmental factor. Well-collimated light beams are passed through the sensing layer and are reflected back from the retroreflective layer for processing. When the environmental factor is present, the beams which pass through the second portion are attenuated responsive to an increase in optical absorption capacity and are compared with the non-attenuated beams passing through the first portion to calculate the presence and quantity of the environmental factor. 7 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 675808
- Patent Number(s):
- 5822074
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-804,995
- Assignee:
- Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Co., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-94ID13223
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 13 Oct 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; AIR POLLUTION MONITORS; REFLECTIVE COATINGS; ABSORPTION; RESPONSE FUNCTIONS; DESIGN; OPERATION; LIGHT TRANSMISSION; ATTENUATION
Citation Formats
Deason, V A, Colwell, F S, and Ricks, K L. Retroreflective systems for remote readout. United States: N. p., 1998.
Web.
Deason, V A, Colwell, F S, & Ricks, K L. Retroreflective systems for remote readout. United States.
Deason, V A, Colwell, F S, and Ricks, K L. Tue .
"Retroreflective systems for remote readout". United States.
@article{osti_675808,
title = {Retroreflective systems for remote readout},
author = {Deason, V A and Colwell, F S and Ricks, K L},
abstractNote = {A sensing device is described for sensing an environmental factor. The device includes a retroreflective layer disposed in a parallel, facing relationship with a sensing layer. The sensing layer has an initial optical absorption capacity for (1) sensing a presence of an environmental factor, (2) experiencing a change in optical absorption capacity responsive to said environmental factor, and (3) transmitting and attenuating light. A first portion of the sensing layer is sealed off from exposure to the environment while a second portion remains exposed to the environment such that, when the environmental factor is present, the first portion of the sensing layer is prevented from experiencing a change in optical absorption capacity responsive to said environmental factor. Well-collimated light beams are passed through the sensing layer and are reflected back from the retroreflective layer for processing. When the environmental factor is present, the beams which pass through the second portion are attenuated responsive to an increase in optical absorption capacity and are compared with the non-attenuated beams passing through the first portion to calculate the presence and quantity of the environmental factor. 7 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 13 00:00:00 EDT 1998},
month = {Tue Oct 13 00:00:00 EDT 1998}
}