Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Switch
Patent
1992-05-29
1993-06-22
Healy, Brian
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Switch
385 13, 385 32, 385 88, 385 92, 73800, 25022716, 25023119, G02B 602, G01L 124, G01D 530
Patent
active
052221652
ABSTRACT:
An optical switch device, comprising enclosed switch chamber, preferably in the form of a cylinder, in which an elastomeric rubber optical cable is positioned and formed into a loop. The cable, preferably comprising an optical wave transmitting core and a clad, and preferably formed into a 180.degree. loop, -terminates in a connector for transmitting light through the cable. An elastomeric encapsulating material fills the enclosed chamber with the cable, and includes an exposed portion forming an actuation member for actuating the switch device upon contact on the actuation member. The elastomeric encapsulating material deforms upon actuation to transmit pressure to the cable to transmit both flattening forces to flatten a portion of the cable and compressive forces to radially inwardly compress the cable. Light which is being transmitted through the cable is altered by those two forces. The switch is mounted in a predetermined location. The connector may include a light emitter and a light receiver as well as a signal unit for providing a signal when the light transmitted through the cable is altered by the flattening forces and the compressive forces. In a preferred embodiment, fiber optic cables are used for transmitting light from the light emitter to the cable and from the cable to the light receiver.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4071753 (1978-01-01), Fulenwider et al.
patent: 4148558 (1979-04-01), Schuck
patent: 4405197 (1983-09-01), Bejczy
patent: 4408495 (1983-10-01), Couch et al.
patent: 4531811 (1985-07-01), Hick
patent: 4701614 (1987-10-01), Jaeger et al.
patent: 4830461 (1989-05-01), Ishiharada et al.
patent: 4915473 (1990-04-01), Haese et al.
patent: 4927232 (1990-05-01), Griffiths
patent: 5026141 (1991-06-01), Griffiths
patent: 5026984 (1991-06-01), Gerdt
patent: 5056884 (1991-10-01), Quinlan, Jr.
patent: 5091983 (1992-02-01), Lukosz
Bertholds et al., "High-Resolution Photoelastic Pressure Sensor . . . " Applied Optics vol. 25 No. 3 Feb. 1986 pp. 340-343.
Healy Brian
Renz Jr. Eugene E.
LandOfFree
Optical fiber elastomeric switch device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical fiber elastomeric switch device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical fiber elastomeric switch device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1445821