Patent US4142774A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4142774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible optical transducer
Assignee: International Standard Electric Corp
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Filing: 1977-06-10
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Granted: 1979-03-06
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Expires: 1997-06-10
Abstract
Abstract An optical transducer is provided that has a flexible transducer member having a set of grooves in one of its major surfaces. Flexure of the transducer member produces a strain pattern that extends across an optical waveguide in the member. This strain pattern has a pitch that will diffract light of a suitable wavelength propagating in the optical waveguide.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/16; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/24; G01L1/242; G01L1/243; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0128; G02F1/0131; G02F1/0134; G02F1/29; G02F1/295; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A flexible transducer comprising: a flexible substrate having a major surface, said substrate of transparent material having a first index of refraction; an optical waveguide of flexible material extending through said substrate, said waveguide having a higher index of refraction than said first index of refraction; and a set of grooves in said major surface, said grooves overlying and transverse to said waveguide, said grooves having a selected pitch such that flexure of said transducer produces a periodic strain pattern extending across said waveguide whereby light of a suitable wavelength propagating through said waveguide is diffracted therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A flexible transducer comprising: a flexible substrate having a major surface, said substrate of transparent material having a first index of refraction; an optical waveguide of flexible material extending through said substrate, said waveguide having a higher index of refraction than said first index of refraction; and a set of grooves in said major surface, said grooves overlying and transverse to said waveguide, said grooves having a selected pitch such that flexure of said transducer produces a periodic strain pattern extending across said waveguide whereby light of a suitable wavelength propagating through said waveguide is diffracted therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flexible transducer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said grooves extend in said substrate to a depth just above the top of said waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flexible transducer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said grooves are longer than the width of said waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flexible transducer as set forth in claim 3, wherein said grooves extend across the entire major surface of said substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flexible transducer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said grooves are semi-circular in cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
A microphone incorporating a transducer as set forth in claim 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A strain sensor incorporating a transducer as set forth in claim 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A pressure sensor incoporating a transducer as set forth in claim 1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
A flexible optical transducer comprising: a flexible substrate having a major surface, said substrate of transparent material having a first index of refraction; an optical waveguide of flexible material extending through said substrate, said waveguide having a higher index of refraction than said first index of refraction; and a set of grooves in said major surface extending inward therefrom, said grooves overlying and transverse to said waveguide, said grooves having a selected pitch such that flexure of said substrate produces a periodic strain pattern extending across said waveguide, said periodic strain pattern thereby producing a longitudinal phase grating, whereby said grating diffracts light of a suitable wavelength propagating through said waveguide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
A flexible optical transducer comprising: a flexible substrate having a major surface, said substrate of transparent material having a first index of refraction; an optical waveguide of flexible material extending through said substrate, said waveguide having a higher index of refraction than said first index of refraction; and a set of grooves in said major surface extending inward therefrom, said grooves overlying and transverse to said waveguide, said grooves having a selected pitch such that flexure of said substrate produces a periodic strain pattern extending across said waveguide, said periodic strain pattern thereby producing a longitudinal phase grating, whereby said grating diffracts light of a suitable wavelength propagating through said waveguide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-03-05 | 1982-09-04 | 1983-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-05 | 1986-09-04 | 1987-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-05 | 1990-09-04 | 1991-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |