Patent US4613752A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4613752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fiber optic force measuring device
Assignee: Optical Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1983-08-04
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Granted: 1986-09-23
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Expires: 2003-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A force measuring device generally comprising a hollow, three-dimensional container defining interiorly thereof at least one chamber is disclosed. The device includes at least a pair of optical fiber coils with the length of the optical fiber on each of the coils being substantially equal. The pair of coils are mounted on opposite sides of a wall of the hollow container and there are means within the container normally exerting a force on the coil mounted within the container. The system also includes an optical interferometer having a pair of legs with means connecting each of the pair of coils in a leg of the interferometer. Radiant energy emitting means are provided for directing radiant energy into the legs of the interferometer and through the pair of coils and radiant energy detecting means are connected to the interferometer.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles M. Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/16; G01V1/18; G01V1/181; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/006; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/093; G01P15/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A force measuring device comprising a substantially hollow three-dimensional container defining interiorly thereof at least one chamber; at least a pair of optical fiber coils; the length of the optical fiber on each of said coils being substantially equal; means mounting said at least one pair of coils on opposite sides of a wall of the hollow container; means within the container normally exerting a force on the coil mounted within the container; an optical interferometer having a pair of legs; means connecting each of said pair of coils in a leg of the interferometer; radiant energy emitting means for directing radiant energy into the legs of the interferometer and through the said pair of coils; and radiant energy detecting means connected to said interferometer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A force measuring device comprising a substantially hollow three-dimensional container defining interiorly thereof at least one chamber; at least a pair of optical fiber coils; the length of the optical fiber on each of said coils being substantially equal; means mounting said at least one pair of coils on opposite sides of a wall of the hollow container; means within the container normally exerting a force on the coil mounted within the container; an optical interferometer having a pair of legs; means connecting each of said pair of coils in a leg of the interferometer; radiant energy emitting means for directing radiant energy into the legs of the interferometer and through the said pair of coils; and radiant energy detecting means connected to said interferometer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the means within the container normally exerting a force on the coil mounted within the container comprises mercury.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the interferometer is a Michelson interferometer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the interferometer comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the hollow three-dimensional container is a cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the hollow three-dimensional container is a cube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the hollow three-dimensional container is a tetrahedron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the chamber is provided with a transverse wall dividing the interior of the chamber into a pair of chambers; and wherein said transverse wall comprises the wall mounting the at least one pair of coils.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 5 wherein the cylinder is provided with a transverse wall dividing the interior of the cylinder into a pair of chambers; and wherein said transverse wall comprises the wall mounting the at least one pair of coils.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 6 wherein there are three pairs of fiber optic coils.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 7 wherein there are four pairs of fiber optic coils.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 3 wherein one end of each of the fiber optic coils is provided with a mirrored surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the source of radiant energy comprises a laser.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 10 wherein there are three interferometers to which said three pairs of coils are connected.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 11 wherein there are four interferometers, one for each of the four pairs of coils.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 14 wherein the interferometers are Michelson interferometers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 15 wherein the interferometers are Michelson interferometers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 14 wherein the interferometers are Mach-Zehnder interferometers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 15 wherein the interferometers are Mach-Zehnder interferometers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 2 wherein the optic fibers of each of the coils are single mode jacketed fibers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the hollow container is metal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 21 wherein the metal is aluminum.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The force measuring device as defined in claim 1 wherein the hollow three-dimensional container is stainless steel, glass or plastic.
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) | 1989-09-22 | 1990-03-24 | 1990-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-22 | 1994-03-24 | 1994-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-22 | 1998-03-24 | 1998-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |