US5243670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber moisture sensor
Assignee: Nexans France SAS
•
Filing: 1992-07-31
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Granted: 1993-09-07
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Expires: 2012-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber moisture sensor comprising a mechanical system having a stationary jaw and a moving jaw between which said fiber is mounted, the sensor also including an element made of moisture-sensitive material coupled to said moving jaw to allow it to be urged towards said stationary jaw in the presence of moisture, thereby applying compression to said optical fiber, wherein said element is made of a material that looses mechanical strength with increasing moisture and that is mounted to oppose the action of resilient means urging said moving jaw towards said stationary jaw.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Bonicel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N19/00; G01N19/10; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/353; G01D5/3537; G01D5/35377
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An optical fiber moisture sensor comprising a mechanical system having a stationary jaw and a moving jaw between which an optical fiber is mounted, the sensor also including an element made of moisture-sensitive material coupled to said moving jaw to allow said moving jaw to be urged towards said stationary jaw in the presence of moisture, thereby applying compression to said optical fiber, wherein said element is made of a material that looses mechanical strength with increasing moisture and that is mounted to oppose the action of resilient means urging said moving jaw towards said stationary jaw.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An optical fiber moisture sensor comprising a mechanical system having a stationary jaw and a moving jaw between which an optical fiber is mounted, the sensor also including an element made of moisture-sensitive material coupled to said moving jaw to allow said moving jaw to be urged towards said stationary jaw in the presence of moisture, thereby applying compression to said optical fiber, wherein said element is made of a material that looses mechanical strength with increasing moisture and that is mounted to oppose the action of resilient means urging said moving jaw towards said stationary jaw.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said element made of moisture-sensitive material is mounted as a spacer between said jaws.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said jaws has a shoulder facing the other jaw.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sensor according to claim 3, wherein the edge of said shoulder is serrated, or corrugated, and/or convex.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said element of moisture-sensitive material is made of a material defined by materials based on cellulose, polyacrylamide, saccharose, and carbon hydrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber is independent of an optical link monitored by means of said sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber belongs an optical link monitored by means of said sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A sensor according to claim 6, wherein said optical fiber is monomode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A sensor according to claim 6, wherein said optical fiber is multimode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A sensor according to claim 7, wherein said optical fiber is monomode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A sensor according to claim 7, wherein said optical fiber is multimode.
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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) | 1996-09-06 | 1997-03-08 | 1997-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-06 | 2001-03-08 | 2001-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-06 | 2005-03-08 | 2005-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |