US4187025A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for producing a light signal corresponding to the refractive index of a fluid
Assignee: Stanley Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1978-06-28
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Granted: 1980-02-05
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Expires: 1998-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A device for producing a light signal corresponding to the refractive index of a fluid medium comprises an elongated light-conducting body consisting of an input section and an an output section connected to each other by an intermediate curved section adapted for immersion in said fluid. This curved section is provided with a plurality of curvatures arranged successively and bent alternately in opposite directions, whereby light passing by refraction into said fluid undergoes a notably greater variation, as a function of the refractive index of said fluid medium, than can be obtained with a curved section bent in a simple direction. A light signal is thus provided with a high sensitivity.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan L. Harmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/284; G01F23/292; G01F23/2921; G01F23/2922; G01F23/2924; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/41; G01N21/43; G01N21/431
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A device for producing a light signal corresponding to the refractive index of a fluid, comprising an elongated light-conducting body consisting of an input section and an output section connected to each other by an intermediate curved section adapted for immersion in said fluid, so that when light is injected into the free end of said input section, the passage of light by refraction into said fluid is a function of the refractive index of said fluid and the light emerging at the free end of said output section provides a light signal corresponding to the refractive index of said fluid, said device being characterized in that said intermediate curved section has a profile comprising a plurality of curvatures arranged successively so as to be alternately bent in opposite directions to one another, whereby said curvatures together provide passage by refraction into said fluid of an amount of light which varies as a function of the refractive index of said fluid, this variation being notably higher than can be obtained with a curved section bent in a single direction, to thereby provide said light signal with a high sensitivity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
A device for producing a light signal corresponding to the refractive index of a fluid, comprising an elongated light-conducting body consisting of an input section and an output section connected to each other by an intermediate curved section adapted for immersion in said fluid, so that when light is injected into the free end of said input section, the passage of light by refraction into said fluid is a function of the refractive index of said fluid and the light emerging at the free end of said output section provides a light signal corresponding to the refractive index of said fluid, said device being characterized in that said intermediate curved section has a profile comprising a plurality of curvatures arranged successively so as to be alternately bent in opposite directions to one another, whereby said curvatures together provide passage by refraction into said fluid of an amount of light which varies as a function of the refractive index of said fluid, this variation being notably higher than can be obtained with a curved section bent in a single direction, to thereby provide said light signal with a high sensitivity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said intermediate bent section comprises at least three curvatures with a middle curvature bent in an opposite direction to the two other curvatures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said alternately bent curvatures are respectively connected together by intermediate straight portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said curvatures are directly adjoining.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the radius of curvature of said curvatures is as small as possible in relation to the transverse directions of said elongated body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said elongated light-conducting body consists of a rod made of a transparent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said elongated light-conducting body consists of an optical fiber having a core made of a first transparent material, surrounded by a cladding made of a second transparent material having a refractive index which is less than that of said first transparent material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 7, characterized in that the intermediate curved section of said optical fiber is stripped of said cladding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Use of the device according to claim 1, for detecting the presence or the absence of said fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Use of the device according to claim 1, for determining the refractive index of said fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Use of the device according to claim 1, for determining another characteristic of said fluid related to its refractive index.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3282149A
Cited
US3610755A
Cited
FR2130037A1
Cited
US3969016A
Cited
US4082959A
Cited
US4045668A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-04 | 1983-08-06 | 1984-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-04 | 1987-08-06 | 1988-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-04 | 1991-08-06 | 1992-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |