Fiber optic fluid sensor using coated sensor tip

Details Fiber optic fluid sensor using coated sensor tip Fiber optic fluid sensor using coated sensor tip

1986-10-03

1988-08-16

Nelms, David C.

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Optical or pre-photocell system

250577, G01N 1506

Patent

active

047646713

ABSTRACT:
An optical fluid sensing apparatus comprising a sensing tip having a conical configuration with a coating, such as a thin layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), on the outer surface of the tip element itself. At the sensing tip, emitted light is either refracted back into a detector fiber optic cable or is lost, depending upon the relationship between the indices of refraction of the sensing tip and coating to the substance surrounding the sensing tip, i.e. the fluid or air being sensed. In order to obtain the proper relationship between the sensing tip and the fluid, the index of refraction and the bevel angle of the tip element are carefully selected in relation to the indices of refraction of the coating and the fluid to be sensed. As a result, when fluid surrounds the tip light is dispersed into the fluid and lost. When no fluid is present, however, the coating sheds any remaining fluidand the light is internally reflected and refracted back into the detector fiber optic cable. Light reflected and refracted back into the detector fiber optic cable is carried by a return fiber cable to a photodetector for sensing and signal processing.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3998591 (1976-12-01), Eckfeldt
patent: 4155013 (1979-05-01), Spiteri
patent: 4197459 (1980-04-01), Perren
patent: 4354180 (1982-10-01), Harding
patent: 4468567 (1984-08-01), Sasano et al.
patent: 4606226 (1986-08-01), Krohn
patent: 4713552 (1987-12-01), Denis

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