Optics: measuring and testing – For optical fiber or waveguide inspection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-17
2001-03-20
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optics: measuring and testing
For optical fiber or waveguide inspection
C385S025000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06204915
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a measuring probe comprising at least one optic fiber, a device comprising such a probe and signal processing means, and an installation comprising at least one electrical conductor and such a probe.
Known optic fiber measuring probes generally comprise at least one optic fiber a first end of which is connected to a sensor and a second end of which is connected to an electronic processing device. To connect the fibers to the processing device, it is known to use removable optic connectors designed to cooperate with fixed optic or optoelectronic elements connected to the processing circuit.
Optic connectors require a strict alignment with other fibers or with optoelectronic elements to obtain maximum coupling of the power of the light signals flowing in the fibers. In addition, optic connectors are costly and bulky and consequently hardly compatible with installations which require several measuring points. In particular, when optic fiber probes are used in an industrial environment, the optic connectors are liable to be subjected to stresses which may damage the optic links when the latter are fitted or handled.
In industrial installations, fitting and replacement of probes must be able to be performed by personnel knowing said installations. This personnel is not always specialized in connection of optic fibers or is not always equipped with the tools to perform this on the installation site. Known optic fiber probes are thus not always easy to use in industrial installations without having recourse to specific technical means and strict assembly precautions on the premises of said installations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to achieve an optic fiber probe able to be easily installed, and a measuring device and installation comprising such a probe.
An optic fiber measurement probe according to the invention comprises:
at least one optic fiber,
at least one electronic circuit comprising having first electrical connection means,
at least one temperature sensor arranged at one end of at least one optic fiber,
signal conversion means connected to the first connection means and designed to provide an interface between light signals conveyed by at least one optic fiber arranged with the temperature sensor and electronic signals designed to flow in said first connection means, and
optic fiber securing means to keep said at least one optic fiber, arranged with the temperature sensor, in optic connection with said conversion means.
In a preferred embodiment, the probe comprises amplifier means connected between signal conversion means and the first connection means.
The probe comprises a sensor arranged on said at least one optic fiber and reacting to light signals, light signals originating from said sensor being representative of a physical quantity to be measured.
Advantageously, the probe comprises storage means to store calibration or setting parameters in memory.
Preferably, the signal conversion means comprise at least one photo-detector converting light signals supplied at one end of an optic fiber into electronic signals.
Preferably, the signal conversion means comprise at least one optic transmitter to convert electronic signals originating from the first electrical connection means into light signals input at one end of an optic fiber maintained in optic connection with said optic transmitter.
According to a particular embodiment, the probe comprises a temperature sensor arranged at one end of at least one optic fiber and comprising a light-emitting material, a first light signal being sent from conversion means to excite said light-emitting material and a second light signal being transmitted by said material and conveyed via said optic fiber to the signal conversion means, said second light signal having a different wavelength from the wavelength of the first light signal and a decrease representative of a temperature.
Preferably, the probe comprises a first and a second optic fibers arranged between the sensor and the signal conversion means, the first optic fiber conducting the first light signal and the second optic fiber conducting the second light signal.
For example, the probe can comprise an optic separation system arranged between the optic fiber and the signal conversion means. To filter light signals, the probe can comprise an optic filter arranged between one end of an optic fiber and the signal conversion means.
Preferably, at least one optic fiber is an optic fiber made of plastic material.
Advantageously, the optic fiber securing means comprise a positioning part for positioning an optic fiber on the signal conversion means.
Preferably, the optic fiber securing means comprise a guiding element.
According to a preferred embodiment, the conversion means comprise at least one light-emitting diode, a photo-detector and fixing means to secure a first optic fiber in optic connection with said light-emitting diode and a second optic fiber in optic connection with said photo-detector.
To integrate three measuring channels, the probe comprises fixing means to secure three first optic fibers in optic connection with three light-emitting diodes and three second optic fibers in optic connection with three photo-detectors.
For the purposes of reducing the volume of the probe, the light-emitting diodes and the first connection means are arranged on a first printed circuit and the photo-detectors are arranged on a second printed circuit, the second printed circuit being electrically connected to the first printed circuit and positioned appreciably orthogonally.
In order to protect electronic or optoelectronic components, the probe can comprise a first insulating coating covering at least a part of the electronic circuit and a second conducting coating covering at least a part of the first coating.
In a preferred application, the probe is used for measuring the temperature of at least one electrical conductor.
A measuring device with optic fiber according to the invention comprises signal processing means, a probe as defined above, and second connection means connected to said processing means and designed to cooperate with the first connection means.
An installation according to the invention comprises at least one electrical conductor, and at least one probe as defined above connected to said electrical conductor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5107445 (1992-04-01), Jensen et al.
patent: 9308117 (1993-10-01), None
patent: 29500373 U (1995-04-01), None
patent: 63-253910 (1988-09-01), None
patent: 63-212910 (1988-09-01), None
Amblard Pierre
Hermil-Boudin Alain
Lovato Jean-Louis
Minier Vincent
Persegol Dominique
Font Frank G.
Nguyen Tu T.
Parkhurst & Wendel L.L.P
Schneider Electric SA
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