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Title: Fiber optic moisture sensor with moisture-absorbing reflective target

Abstract

A method and apparatus for sensing moisture changes by utilizing optical fiber technology. One embodiment uses a reflective target at the end of an optical fiber. The reflectance of the target varies with its moisture content and can be detected by a remote unit at the opposite end of the fiber. A second embodiment utilizes changes in light loss along the fiber length. This can be attributed to changes in reflectance of cladding material as a function of its moisture content. It can also be affected by holes or inserts interposed in the cladding material and/or fiber. Changing light levels can also be coupled from one fiber to another in an assembly of fibers as a function of varying moisture content in their overlapping lengths of cladding material.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Richland, WA
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
866104
Patent Number(s):
US 4634856
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC06-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
fiber; optic; moisture; sensor; moisture-absorbing; reflective; target; method; apparatus; sensing; changes; utilizing; optical; technology; embodiment; reflectance; varies; content; detected; remote; unit; opposite; utilizes; light; loss; length; attributed; cladding; material; function; affected; holes; inserts; interposed; changing; levels; coupled; assembly; fibers; varying; overlapping; lengths; remote unit; embodiment utilizes; moisture content; fiber optic; optical fiber; cladding material; light loss; reflective target; moisture sensor; utilizing optical; light level; /250/73/

Citation Formats

Kirkham, Randy R. Fiber optic moisture sensor with moisture-absorbing reflective target. United States: N. p., 1987. Web.
Kirkham, Randy R. Fiber optic moisture sensor with moisture-absorbing reflective target. United States.
Kirkham, Randy R. 1987. "Fiber optic moisture sensor with moisture-absorbing reflective target". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/866104.
@article{osti_866104,
title = {Fiber optic moisture sensor with moisture-absorbing reflective target},
author = {Kirkham, Randy R},
abstractNote = {A method and apparatus for sensing moisture changes by utilizing optical fiber technology. One embodiment uses a reflective target at the end of an optical fiber. The reflectance of the target varies with its moisture content and can be detected by a remote unit at the opposite end of the fiber. A second embodiment utilizes changes in light loss along the fiber length. This can be attributed to changes in reflectance of cladding material as a function of its moisture content. It can also be affected by holes or inserts interposed in the cladding material and/or fiber. Changing light levels can also be coupled from one fiber to another in an assembly of fibers as a function of varying moisture content in their overlapping lengths of cladding material.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/866104}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987},
month = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987}
}