Retroreflective systems for remote readout

Patent · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871908

Deason, Vance A ^[1]; Colwell, Frederick S ^[1]; Ricks, Kirk L ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

A sensing device 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 (i) sensing a presence of an environmental factor, (ii) experiencing a change in optical absorption capacity responsive to said environmental factor, and (iii) 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.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 5822074
• OSTI ID: 871908
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/356/374/
absorption
attenuated
attenuating
beams
beams pass
calculate
capacity
change
collimated light
compared
device
disposed
environment
environmental
experiencing
exposed
exposure
facing
facing relationship
factor
ii
iii
increase
initial
layer
layer disposed
light
light beam
light beams
non-attenuated
optical
optical absorption
parallel
pass
passed
passing
portion
presence
prevented
processing
quantity
readout
reflected
reflective layer
relationship
remains
remote
responsive
retroreflective
sealed
sensing
sensing device
sensing layer
sorption capacity
systems
transmitting
well-collimated