Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-11
2001-06-12
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
C385S012000, C385S026000, C385S077000, C385S078000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244753
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to instruments that analyze chemical properties of a specimen using optical means. More specifically, the invention relates to probe design and construction for such instruments. The invention has particular application to such instruments that detect Raman-scattered light from the specimen.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention relates to a novel in situ probe for spectroscopic analysis. The probe has a probe body with a distal end and a proximal end, and a first optical fiber extending from the proximal to the distal end. Advantageously, a temperature sensor is included in the probe body and disposed proximate the distal end. The temperature sensor can be used for example to ensure that the probe does not exceed a rated temperature limit, or to monitor a specimen temperature while simultaneously analyzing a chemical composition of the specimen via the optical fiber. Hence, one insertion point into a container holding the specimen can yield both a temperature and chemical composition measurement. Preferred embodiments include additional optical fibers disposed in the probe body, and connectors held at the proximal end of the probe. A preferred temperature sensor is a thermocouple.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of constructing a fiber optic probe. A plurality of metal-coated fibers having proximal and distal ends are provided, and the distal ends are positioned inside a bore in the probe end. The probe end has a metal coating. Braze material is placed on the probe end near the bore, and the assembly is heated in a vacuum oven. In a preferred embodiment an anti-wicking agent is applied to the fibers in a zone near the distal ends prior to heating. Also in the preferred embodiment the metal coating on the probe end is limited to a vicinity in, or in and around, the bore. The braze material is preferably a binary alloy of silver and copper.
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“Fiber Raman background study and its application in setting up optical fiber Raman probes”, by Jiayang Ma and Ying-Sing Li, Applied Optics, May 20, 1996, vol. 35, No. 15, pp. 2527-2533.
Jarvis John M.
O'Connor Eamon
O'Donnell John J.
Font Frank G.
Rodriguez Armando
Rosemount Analytical Inc.
Westman Champlin & Kelly P.A.
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