US4812654A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-axis quartz fiber passive tilt meter
Assignee: Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1986-12-29
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Granted: 1989-03-14
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Expires: 2006-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A two-axis quartz fiber passive tilt meter which includes housing and a quartz fiber suspended from the housing for conducting radiation and emitting the radiation from a distal end thereof. A pendulous mass is suspended from the quartz fiber and a damping fluid in the housing surrounds the quartz fiber and the mass. A detector senses the position of the spot of radiation emitted from the quartz fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard K. Araujo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/12; G01C9/14; G01C9/02; G01C9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A two-axis quartz fiber passive tilt meter comprising: a housing; a quartz fiber suspended from said housing for conducting radiation and emitting said radiation from a distal end thereof; a pendulous mass suspended from said quartz fiber; a damping fluid in said housing surrounding said quartz fiber and said mass, said damping fluid having an index of refraction close to that of said quartz fiber for optically cladding said fiber; and detector means for sensing the position of a spot of radiation emitted from said quartz fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A two-axis quartz fiber passive tilt meter comprising: a housing; a quartz fiber suspended from said housing for conducting radiation and emitting said radiation from a distal end thereof; a pendulous mass suspended from said quartz fiber; a damping fluid in said housing surrounding said quartz fiber and said mass, said damping fluid having an index of refraction close to that of said quartz fiber for optically cladding said fiber; and detector means for sensing the position of a spot of radiation emitted from said quartz fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tilt meter of claim 1 further including a mechanical stop mounted within said housing proximate said mass for limiting horizontal movement of said mass to limit bending of said quartz fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tilt meter of claim 2 in which said mechanical stop includes tube means which surround said quartz fiber and said pendulous mass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tilt meter of claim 3 further including fluid communication means interconnecting said tube means and the interior of said housing for transmitting damping fluid therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tilt meter of claim 1 in which said quartz fiber is disposed through said pendulous mass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tilt meter of claim 1 in which said pendulous mass is suspended proximate the distal end of said quartz fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tilt meter of claim 1 in which said tilt meter is constructed of nonmagnetic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tilt meter of claim 1 further including a source of radiation mounted in said housing for introducing radiation to said fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tilt meter of claim 8 in which said source of radiation includes a light-emitting diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tilt meter of claim 1 in which infrared radiation is conducted through said quartz fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tilt meter of claim 10 in which said infrared radiation includes a wavelength of 880 nanometers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tilt meter of claim 1 in which said detector means includes a sensor and lens means for directing said radiation emitted by said quartz fiber to a spot on said sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tilt meter of claim 1 in which said detector means includes a four quadrant detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tilt meter of claim 1 further including a window mounted in said housing between the light-emitting end of said quartz fiber and said detector means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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GB2074315A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-13 | 1992-09-12 | 1993-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-13 | 1996-09-12 | 1997-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-13 | 2000-09-12 | 2001-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |