EP0146522A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymeric/optical sensing apparatus and method
Assignee: Monsanto Co
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Filing: 1984-12-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-12-04
Abstract
Abstract An optical sensing device which incorporates a suitable optical sensor system, preferably a fiber optics system, with a suitable environmental sensitive polymeric material is presented. The polymeric material must be of the type which undergoes changes in optical properties in response to environmental changes. Accordingly, preferred polymers include crosslinked, semicrystalline polymers, high strength amorphous polymers, and polymer blends. This novel combination will accurately and, at times, reversibly measure and detect temperature, humidity, pressure, position, radiation, flow, stress/strain, light, color, electric field, and a plurality of other properties with respect to changes in the environment.
Inventors
- 👤 William Keith Fisher
- 👤 George Edward Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/268; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/12; G01K11/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A device for detecting environmental changes comprising: fiber optic sensor means; and an environmental sensitive polymeric material capable of undergoing a change in optical properties in response to a change in the environment, said environmental sensitive polymeric material communicating with said optical sensor means and said environment whereby a change in the environment which causes said optical change in the said polymeric material is sensed and indicated by said fiber optic sensor means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A device for detecting environmental changes comprising: fiber optic sensor means; and an environmental sensitive polymeric material capable of undergoing a change in optical properties in response to a change in the environment, said environmental sensitive polymeric material communicating with said optical sensor means and said environment whereby a change in the environment which causes said optical change in the said polymeric material is sensed and indicated by said fiber optic sensor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said environmental sensitive polymeric material undergoes reversible changes in optical properties in response to said change in the environment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said environmental sensitive polymeric material is a semicrystalline polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said environmental sensitive polymeric material is a crosslinked polymeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said environmental sensitive polymeric material is a high strength amorphous polymeric material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said environmental sensitive polymeric material is a blend of an organic polymer and an additive which is a member of the group consisting of a wax, a cerol and an oil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of Claim 6 wherein said additive is a wax.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said environmental sensitive polymeric material is a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone, polypropylene, poly 1.4 butylene adipate, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene adipate, rubber modified polyvinylchloride and a wax extended ethylene vinyl acetate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
The device of Claim 1 wherein said fiber optic sensor means includes: a fiber optic cable having at least one first light transmitting fiber and at least one second light transmitting fiber; a housing for said environmental sensitive polymeric material and for receiving the ends of said first and second light transmitting fibers; light source means connected to said first light transmitting fiber; and light detecting means connected to said second light transmitting fiber, said environmental sensitive polymeric material being disposed in said housing so that the light from said light source means carried by said first light transmitting fiber passes through said environmental sensitive polymeric material to said second light transmitting fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of Claim 9 including a gap between the ends of said fibers and said environmental sensitive polymeric material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of Claim 10 including converter means connected to said light detecting means whereby light from said light source is converted into electrical output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of Claim 9 wherein said housing includes a reflector, said reflector and the ends of said fibers being disposed on opposite sides of said environmental sensitive polymeric material whereby light from said first light transmitting fiber passes through said environmental sensitive polymeric material and is reflected back through said polymeric material to said second light transmitting fiber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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