US5349181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic chemical sensor having specific channel connecting design
Assignee: FCI FiberChem Inc
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Filing: 1993-07-26
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Granted: 1994-09-20
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Expires: 2013-07-26
Abstract
Abstract In a sensor assembly, an optical fiber with a sensing region is connected at one end through a fiber guide tube to a detector housing containing a sensing detector. At the other end the fiber is connected through a fiber guide tube to a light source which has a reference detector mounted laterally thereto. The sensing and reference detectors are a matched pair of the same type. The guide tube in the source has a bevelled end which reflects a portion of light from the source to the reference detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Devinder P. Saini
- 👤 Tommy J. Law
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/7703
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A fiber optic chemical sensor, comprising: an optical fiber having a sensing region formed on a portion thereof; a sensing detector housing defining a channel therein; a sensing detector mounted in said sensing detector housing channel; a first fiber guide tube extending into said sensing detector housing and communicating with said channel formed therein; wherein one end of said fiber extends into said first tube and is optically aligned with said sensing detector; a light source having a channel formed therein and a light emitting region aligned with said channel; a second fiber guide tube extending into said source channel; wherein the opposed end of said fiber extends into said second tube and is optically aligned with said source; a reference detector mounted laterally on said source for receiving a portion of light emitted from said source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A fiber optic chemical sensor, comprising: an optical fiber having a sensing region formed on a portion thereof; a sensing detector housing defining a channel therein; a sensing detector mounted in said sensing detector housing channel; a first fiber guide tube extending into said sensing detector housing and communicating with said channel formed therein; wherein one end of said fiber extends into said first tube and is optically aligned with said sensing detector; a light source having a channel formed therein and a light emitting region aligned with said channel; a second fiber guide tube extending into said source channel; wherein the opposed end of said fiber extends into said second tube and is optically aligned with said source; a reference detector mounted laterally on said source for receiving a portion of light emitted from said source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said second tube further comprises a bevelled end for reflecting said light from said source to said reference detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 2 wherein said bevelled end is formed at a 45° angle to the tube axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said sensing and reference detectors are identical detectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said source further comprises an optically transparent integral housing defining said source channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said source is an LED and said sensing and reference detectors are photodiodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said sensing and reference detectors are matched photodiodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the end of said fiber which extends into said second tube is positioned at a distance from said light emitting region of said light source so that the outputs of said sensing and reference detectors have a preselected ratio.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said source further comprises an integral lens optically aligned with said light emitting region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sensor of claim 1 further comprising an optical isolation layer formed on said sensing detector housing to optically isolate said sensing detector from external light sources.
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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) | 1997-09-19 | 1998-03-21 | 1998-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-19 | 2002-03-21 | 2002-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-19 | 2006-03-21 | 2006-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |