US3580082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure transducer
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-07
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A pressure transducer having a thin, edge-supported lightreflecting membrane or membranes with light-transmitting optical fibers for directing collimated light to the membrane for reflection thereby. A plurality of light-receiving optical fibers are disposed around each light-transmitting fiber and are connected to a light intensity measuring device. Upon membrane deflection, the direction of light reflected therefrom is changed, thereby changing the amount of light incident on the light-receiving fibers. The resultant change in light intensity transmitted to the measuring device serves as a measure of the membrane deflection and therefore the pressure acting thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R Strack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0041; G01L9/0076; G01L9/0077; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0825
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A pressure transducer comprising: a diaphragm means formed by depositing a coating of lightreflecting material on a flat surface of a cored matrix and subsequently removing the core to produce at least one edge supported membrane consisting of the portion of said coating spanning the opening left by removal of the core; light-transmitting means mounted in said opening in spaced relation to said membrane to deliver collimated light to said membrane for reflection thereby; light-sensing means including means disposed adjacent said light-transmitting means to receive light reflected from said membrane; and whereby, upon deformation of said membrane by pressure, light reflected thereby is deflected, thereby varying the light incident on said light sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A pressure transducer comprising: a diaphragm means formed by depositing a coating of lightreflecting material on a flat surface of a cored matrix and subsequently removing the core to produce at least one edge supported membrane consisting of the portion of said coating spanning the opening left by removal of the core; light-transmitting means mounted in said opening in spaced relation to said membrane to deliver collimated light to said membrane for reflection thereby; light-sensing means including means disposed adjacent said light-transmitting means to receive light reflected from said membrane; and whereby, upon deformation of said membrane by pressure, light reflected thereby is deflected, thereby varying the light incident on said light sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
A pressure transducer comprising: a source of collimated light; an edge-supported diaphragm means including a pressure sensitive light-reflecting membrane; light-transmitting means including at least one first light-transmitting optical fiber for transmitting said light to said membrane and disposed to terminate in spaced relation to said membrane; light-sensing means including means disposed adjacent said light-transmitting means to receive light reflected from said membrane; and said membrane being constructed and arranged to reflect substantially all the light to said first fiber when undistorted and to reflect light to said light-sensing means in direct proportion to the distortion of said membrane by pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
A pressure transducer comprising: a source of collimated light; an edge-supported diaphragm means including a pressure sensitive light-reflecting membrane; light-transmitting means including at least one first light-transmitting optical fiber for transmitting said light to said membrane and disposed to terminate in spaced relation to said membrane; light-sensing means including means disposed adjacent said light-transmitting means to receive light reflected from said membrane; and said membrane being constructed and arranged to reflect substantially all the light to said first fiber when undistorted and to reflect light to said light-sensing means in direct proportion to the distortion of said membrane by pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sensing means includes at least one second light-transmitting optical fiber disposed adjacent to said first fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first fiber is centrally located with respect to said membrane and said second fibers are disposed around the periphery of said first fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said diaphragm means further includes at least one tubular cell disposed normal to and supporting said membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device in accordance with claim 5 wherein a plurality of third fibers are disposed between said second fibers and the walls of said cell to centrally locate and support said first fiber and said second fibers therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said membrane is formed of vitreous material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device in accordance with claim 7 wherein at least said first and second fibers are flexible.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said membrane is supported by a plurality of tubular cells and wherein first, second and third fibers are provided for each of said cells.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3273447A
Cited
US3387494A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |