US4726651A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fibers having piezoelectric coatings
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1982-01-21
•
Granted: 1988-02-23
•
Expires: 2002-01-21
Abstract
Abstract Optical fibers coated with a blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and at least one other polymer are poled to make the coating piezoelectric, whereby the optical fiber will undergo strain when the coating is exposed to an electric field.
Inventors
- 👤 Ta-Sheng Wei
- 👤 Robert M. Swinehart
- 👤 William G. French
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/06; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/02033; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0128; G02F1/0131; G02F1/0134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An electric field sensor comprising an optical interferometer in which at least one arm of this interferometer comprises an optical fiber carrying a coating that comprises a blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and at least one polymer which is miscible with said poly(vinylidene fluoride) at a temperature above the melting point thereof, said coating being piezoelectric after poling, whereby the fiber will be strained when the coating is exposed to an electric field, wherein the coating has been poled and is piezoelectric.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electric field sensor comprising an optical interferometer in which at least one arm of this interferometer comprises an optical fiber carrying a coating that comprises a blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and at least one polymer which is miscible with said poly(vinylidene fluoride) at a temperature above the melting point thereof, said coating being piezoelectric after poling, whereby the fiber will be strained when the coating is exposed to an electric field, wherein the coating has been poled and is piezoelectric.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Optical fiber of claim 1 wherein poly(vinylidene fluoride) comprises at least about 50 percent by weight of said blend.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Optical fiber of claim 2 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, and polyvinylacetate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Optical fiber of claim 1 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polymethacrylates and polyvinylacetate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electric field sensor comprising the optical interferometer in which at least one arm of the interferometer comprises an optical fiber carrying a coating that comprises a blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and at least one polymer which is miscible with said poly(vinylidene fluoride) at a temperature above the melting point thereof, said coating being piezoelectric after poling, whereby the fiber will be strained when the coating is exposed to an electric field, wherein the coating has been transverely poled and is piezoelectric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electric field sensor comprising the optical interferometer in which at least one arm of the interferometer comprises an optical fiber carrying a coating that comprises a blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and at least one polymer which is miscible with said poly(vinylidene fluoride) at a temperature above the melting point thereof, said coating being piezoelectric after poling, whereby the fiber will be strained when the coating is exposed to an electric field, wherein the coating has been transverely poled and is piezoelectric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Optical fiber of claim 5 wherein poly(vinylidene fluoride) comprises at least about 50 percent by weight of said blend.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Optical fiber of claim 6 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, and polyvinylacetate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Optical fiber of claim 5 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, and polyvinylacetate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4068191A
Cited
US4147407A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-22 | 1991-08-24 | 1992-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-22 | 1995-08-24 | 1996-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-22 | 1999-08-24 | 2000-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |