Omnidirectional fiber optic tiltmeter

Patent · 30 June 1983

OSTI ID:7136321

Benjamin, B C; Miller, H M

A tiltmeter is provided which is useful in detecting very small movements such as earth tides. The device comprises a single optical fiber, and an associated weight affixed thereto, suspended from a support to form a pendulum. A light source, e.g., a light emitting diode, mounted on the support transmits light through the optical fiber to a group of further optical fibers located adjacent to but spaced from the free end of the single optical fiber so that displacement of the single optical fiber with respect to the group will result in a change in the amount of light received by the individual optical fibers of the group. Photodetectors individually connectd to the fibers produce corresponding electrical outputs which are differentially compared and processed to produce a resultant continuous analog output representative of the amount and direction of displacement of the single optical fiber.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: DE84011109
• OSTI ID: 7136321
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440300* -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
FIBER OPTICS
INCLINATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS