Fiber optic fluid detector

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:866979

Angel, S Michael ^[1]

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1. Livermore, CA

Particular gases or liquids are detected with a fiber optic element (11, 11a to 11j) having a cladding or coating of a material (23, 23a to 23j) which absorbs the fluid or fluids and which exhibits a change of an optical property, such as index of refraction, light transmissiveness or fluoresence emission, for example, in response to absorption of the fluid. The fluid is sensed by directing light into the fiber optic element and detecting changes in the light, such as exit angle changes for example, that result from the changed optical property of the coating material. The fluid detector (24, 24a to 24j) may be used for such purposes as sensing toxic or explosive gases in the atmosphere, measuring ground water contamination or monitoring fluid flows in industrial processes, among other uses.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of American as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4834497
• OSTI ID: 866979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

fiber
optic
fluid
detector
particular
gases
liquids
detected
element
11
11a
11j
cladding
coating
material
23
23a
23j
absorbs
fluids
exhibits
change
optical
property
index
refraction
light
transmissiveness
fluoresence
emission
example
response
absorption
sensed
directing
detecting
changes
exit
angle
result
changed
24
24a
24j
purposes
sensing
toxic
explosive
atmosphere
measuring
ground
water
contamination
monitoring
flows
industrial
processes
ground water
industrial processes
coating material
fiber optic
fluid flow
industrial process
fluid flows
detecting changes
light transmissive
optical property
water contamination
directing light
particular gases
optic element
exit angle
/385/