Optics: measuring and testing – Range or remote distance finding – With photodetection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-24
2001-05-29
Buczinski, Stephen C. (Department: 3662)
Optics: measuring and testing
Range or remote distance finding
With photodetection
C250S227140, C250S227280, C385S012000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06239865
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to sensors for measuring distances, distances to, and/or physical properties of, a medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to fiber optic sensors for measuring distances to a medium and/or its physical properties.
BACKGROUND ART
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,091, entitled “A Sensor and a Method for Measuring Distances to, and/or Physical Properties of, a Medium,” there are disclosed various embodiments of such sensors in which the ring at the output end portion of the fiber connectable to a light source and the input end portion connectable to a light intensity measuring means are distant from each other, or at most, slightly touch each other. These sensors, however, suffer from some limitation of their sensitivity connected to the geometry of the disposition of the optical fibers as mounted in the optical heads, which affects the light intensity distribution in the optical fibers.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome these limitations by changing the geometry of the optical fiber end portions.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sensor for sensing the distances to a medium and/or the physical properties thereof, comprising a housing, at least one pair of optical fibers, each having an input end portion and an output end portion, the input end portion of a first fiber being connectable to a source of light and the output end portion of a second fiber being connectable to light intensity measuring means; a sensor head, including said input end portion of said second optical fiber and said output end portion of said first optical fiber affixedly located at least in proximity to each other, each of the output end portion of said first fiber and input end portion of said second fiber having an axis and a rim, said rims being cut at an angle &thgr; with respect to said axis and said axes forming an angle &agr; therebetween, and wherein, upon operation, the light emerging from the output end portion of said first fiber impinges on a surface of a medium at an angle of incidence &bgr;, and wherein &bgr;=ƒ(&agr;,&thgr;), characterized in that the output end portion of said first fiber and the input end portion of said second fiber are slightly cut off in a plane traversing at least one of said axes to form edge surfaces interfacing each other.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4707134 (1987-11-01), McLachan et al.
patent: 4978863 (1990-12-01), Lyons et al.
patent: 5191206 (1993-03-01), Boiarski et al.
patent: 5771091 (1998-06-01), Paritsky et al.
Kots Alexander
Paritsky Alexander
Buczinski Stephen C.
Phone-Or Ltd
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
LandOfFree
Sensor and a method for measuring distances to, and/or... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sensor and a method for measuring distances to, and/or..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sensor and a method for measuring distances to, and/or... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2528922