US4239963A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic accelerometer
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1978-07-26
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Granted: 1980-12-16
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Expires: 1998-07-26
Abstract
Abstract An inexpensive, light weight fiber optic accelerometer to convert input mechanical motion (e.g. acceleration) into digitized optical output signals. The output of the accelerometer may be connected directly to data processing apparatus without the necessity of space consuming analog to digital interface means.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolf R. August
- 👤 Virgil H. Strahan
- 👤 Kenneth A. James
- 👤 Donald K. Nichols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/268; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An accelerometer comprising at least one elongated optical fiber, said accelerometer including: a support structure, a first end of said optical fiber suspended from said support structure, a light source positioned in proximity to the first end of said optical fiber to supply light thereto, the second end of said optical fiber having a multiport terminal formed thereat to receive light transmitted from said source thereof, a first light sensor positioned adjacent the second end of said optical fiber and responsive to light transmitted therethrough, and at least a pair of additional light sensors, each of said pair of additional light sensors positioned adjacent different ports of said multiport terminal and responsive to respective light signals emitted therefrom, said first light sensor and said additional pair of light sensors providing an indication of the position of the second end of said optical fiber when forces that are applied to said support structure cause said optical fiber to oscillate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An accelerometer comprising at least one elongated optical fiber, said accelerometer including: a support structure, a first end of said optical fiber suspended from said support structure, a light source positioned in proximity to the first end of said optical fiber to supply light thereto, the second end of said optical fiber having a multiport terminal formed thereat to receive light transmitted from said source thereof, a first light sensor positioned adjacent the second end of said optical fiber and responsive to light transmitted therethrough, and at least a pair of additional light sensors, each of said pair of additional light sensors positioned adjacent different ports of said multiport terminal and responsive to respective light signals emitted therefrom, said first light sensor and said additional pair of light sensors providing an indication of the position of the second end of said optical fiber when forces that are applied to said support structure cause said optical fiber to oscillate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The accelerometer recited in claim 1, wherein said first light sensor comprises a linear array of light sensitive cells that are each responsive to light transmitted via said optical fiber to provide an indication of the position of the second end of said optical fiber as said second end oscillates in accordance with an input acceleration force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The accelerometer recited in claim 1, wherein said light source includes a light emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The accelerometer recited in claim 1, wherein the second end of said optical fiber has a cleavage formed therein in order to increase the resolution of the light signal received by said first sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The accelerometer recited in claim 1, wherein said multiport terminal formed at the second end of said optical fiber includes a spherical globule in order to increase light coupling between said optical fiber and each of said first and additional pair of light sensors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The accelerometer recited in claim 5, wherein a plurality of the sides of said spherical globule are polished in order to increase the optical coupling between said optical fiber and each of said first and additional pair of light sensors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The accelerometer recited in claim 1, wherein said additional pair of light sensors comprise light amplitude detectors, the amplitudes of the respective light signals relative to one another received by said amplitude detectors being indicative of the position of the second end of said optical fiber and the forces applied to said support structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The accelerometer recited in claim 1, further including a differential amplifier having input terminal means respectively connected to output terminal means of each of said additional pair of light sensors, said differential amplifier providing an indication of the change of position of the second end of said optical fiber in response to input acceleration forces.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for measuring acceleration or vibrational forces, said system comprising: a support structure, at least one optical fiber, one end of said optical fiber being suspended from said support structure, a light source positioned in proximity to the first end of said optical fiber to supply light signals thereto, the second end of said optical fiber including a multiport terminal to receive light signals transmitted from said source thereof, a pair of light sensors positioned adjacent different ports of said multiport terminal and responsive to light signals emitted therefrom, and differential amplifier means having input terminal means respectively connected to output terminal means of each of said light sensors, whereby to provide an indication of the position of the second end of said optical fiber and, accordingly, the forces that are applied to said support structure to cause said fiber to oscillate.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for measuring acceleration or vibrational forces, said system comprising: a support structure, at least one optical fiber, one end of said optical fiber being suspended from said support structure, a light source positioned in proximity to the first end of said optical fiber to supply light signals thereto, the second end of said optical fiber including a multiport terminal to receive light signals transmitted from said source thereof, a pair of light sensors positioned adjacent different ports of said multiport terminal and responsive to light signals emitted therefrom, and differential amplifier means having input terminal means respectively connected to output terminal means of each of said light sensors, whereby to provide an indication of the position of the second end of said optical fiber and, accordingly, the forces that are applied to said support structure to cause said fiber to oscillate.
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) | 1983-12-16 | 1984-06-16 | 1984-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-16 | 1988-06-16 | 1988-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-16 | 1992-06-16 | 1992-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |