Title: Sensor system that uses embedded optical fibers

Abstract

Sensor systems including an interferometer system are disclosed herein. In a general embodiment, the sensor system includes an optical fiber that is embedded into a sample, where the optical fiber has a reflective tip. The optical fiber is optically coupled to a sensor and a detector of the laser interferometer system. The sensor system further includes a computing device or circuit that is configured to receive electrical signals generated by the detector. The laser source is configured to emit light, which is coupled into the optical fiber. The light travels through the optical fiber until the light reaches the reflective tip, where it is reflected back through the optical fiber. The detector is impacted by the reflected light, and generates an electrical signal based upon the reflected light. The computing device generates a value that is indicative of a behavior of the sample based upon the electrical signal.

Inventors:

Chavez, Marcus Alexander; Covert, Timothy T.; Willis, Michael David

Issue Date:

Tue Dec 25 00:00:00 EST 2018

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1531390

Patent Number(s):

10161924

Application Number:

14/599,901

Assignee:

National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (Albuquerque, NM)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01D - MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

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G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01D - MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE

G01D5/268 - {using optical fibres
G01D5/35312 - {using a Fabry Perot}

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N21/17 - Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
G01N21/45 - using interferometric methods
G01N2201/06113 - Coherent sources
G01N2201/0846 - Fibre interface with sample, e.g. for spatial resolution
G01N2201/088 - Using a sensor fibre
G01N33/227 - {Explosives, e.g. combustive properties thereof

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01P - MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK

G01P3/36 - Devices characterised by the use of optical means, e.g. using infra-red, visible, or ultra-violet light

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2015-01-19

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English