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US4368430A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Fiber optic magnetic sensors

Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1980-08-18
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Granted: 1983-01-11
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Expires: 2000-08-18
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Abstract

Abstract A magnetometer which includes a pair of spaced apart optical fibers at least one of which comprises a cantilevered beam having a dipolar magnet thereon such that fluctuations of the magnetic H field will cause fluctuating mechanical torque on the magnet which will be applied to the cantilevered optical fiber to deflect same and occasion modulation of an optical signal transmitted between the two fibers.

Inventors

  • 👤 John C. Dale
  • 👤 Glen A. Rines
  • 👤 Harrison W. Fuller

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 17:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/02; G01R33/038; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/842; Y10S505/843; Y10S505/845

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 111 words
A magnetic sensor, comprising: a first optical fiber, said first optical fiber being arranged as a cantilevered beam, and including a first dipolar magnet mounted on said cantilevered first optical fiber; a second optical fiber spaced from said first optical fiber so as to produce a gap between the ends thereof, said second optical fiber being arranged as a cantilevered beam; and a second dipolar magnet mounted on said cantilevered second optical fiber such that the optical coupling between said optical fibers varies proportionally to fluctuations of a component of the magnetic field substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of said cantilevered beams which causes fluctuating magnetic torque on said magnets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 111 words
A magnetic sensor, comprising: a first optical fiber, said first optical fiber being arranged as a cantilevered beam, and including a first dipolar magnet mounted on said cantilevered first optical fiber; a second optical fiber spaced from said first optical fiber so as to produce a gap between the ends thereof, said second optical fiber being arranged as a cantilevered beam; and a second dipolar magnet mounted on said cantilevered second optical fiber such that the optical coupling between said optical fibers varies proportionally to fluctuations of a component of the magnetic field substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of said cantilevered beams which causes fluctuating magnetic torque on said magnets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the ends of said first and second fibers are misaligned to increase the sensitivity of said sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 43 words
The sensor of claims 1 or 2 further including means for applying light to said second optical fiber and means coupled to said first optical fiber to detect the amount of light transmitted from said second optical fiber to said first optical fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 120 words
A magnetic sensor, comprising: a first optical fiber, said first optical fiber arranged as a cantilevered beam, and including a first dipolar magnet mounted on said cantilevered first optical fiber; a second optical fiber spaced from said first optical fiber so as to produce a gap between the ends thereof, said second optical fiber being arranged as a cantilevered beam; and a second dipolar magnet mounted on said cantilevered second optical fiber in polarity opposition to said first dipolar magnet such that the optical coupling between said optical fibers varies proportionally to fluctuations of a spacially varying component of the magnetic field substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of said cantilevered beams which causes fluctuating magnetic torque on said magnets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 120 words
A magnetic sensor, comprising: a first optical fiber, said first optical fiber arranged as a cantilevered beam, and including a first dipolar magnet mounted on said cantilevered first optical fiber; a second optical fiber spaced from said first optical fiber so as to produce a gap between the ends thereof, said second optical fiber being arranged as a cantilevered beam; and a second dipolar magnet mounted on said cantilevered second optical fiber in polarity opposition to said first dipolar magnet such that the optical coupling between said optical fibers varies proportionally to fluctuations of a spacially varying component of the magnetic field substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of said cantilevered beams which causes fluctuating magnetic torque on said magnets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 41 words
The sensor of claim 4, further including means for applying light to said second optical fiber and means coupled to said first optical fiber to detect the amount of light transmitted from said second optical fiber to said first optical fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
The sensor of claim 4 wherein the ends of said first and second optical fibers are misaligned to increase the sensitivity of said sensor.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3412324A Cited
DE2034344A1 Cited
US4071753A Cited
US4234788A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-01-10 1986-07-12 1987-01-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-01-10 1990-07-12 1991-01-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-01-10 1994-07-12 1995-01-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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