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:
-
- Richland, WA
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 866104
- Patent Number(s):
- 4634856
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- 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. Thu .
"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 = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1987},
month = {1}
}