US5438873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fiberoptic sensor using tapered and bundled fibers
Assignee: CR Bard Inc
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Filing: 1994-06-08
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Granted: 1995-08-08
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Expires: 2014-06-08
Abstract
Abstract An improved fiberoptic pressure sensing system is disclosed by tapering the tip end of an optical fiber, or alternatively, by tapering or bundling a fiber or group of fibers within a connector. By selectively joining together fibers with a taper while tailoring numerical apertures of the connected fibers, a fiberoptic pressure sensing system is provided with an enhanced ability to increase sensitivity and signal-to-noise performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Marek T. Wlodarczyk
- 👤 Gang He
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0041; G01L9/0076; G01L9/0077; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/021; A61B5/0215; A61B5/02154; G01L19/00; G01L19/0007; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/241; G02B6/26; G02B6/262; F; F02; F02F; F02F7/00; F02F7/006; F02F2007/0063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a fiberoptic pressure sensing system having an optical fiber with a sensing tip at a first end with a pressure sensitive element, the pressure sensitive element modulating a pressure sensing light signal injected into an opposite second end of the optical fiber, the improvement comprising: a first optical fiber portion formed by the optical fiber with a distal end forming the sensing tip; a second optical fiber portion adjoining said first portion at a proximal end; and a tapered fiber segment formed by the optical fiber at an intermediate location so as to light couple said first and second portions together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a fiberoptic pressure sensing system having an optical fiber with a sensing tip at a first end with a pressure sensitive element, the pressure sensitive element modulating a pressure sensing light signal injected into an opposite second end of the optical fiber, the improvement comprising: a first optical fiber portion formed by the optical fiber with a distal end forming the sensing tip; a second optical fiber portion adjoining said first portion at a proximal end; and a tapered fiber segment formed by the optical fiber at an intermediate location so as to light couple said first and second portions together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 1 wherein said first optical fiber portion has a low numerical aperture relative to said second optical fiber portion at the region of connection therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 1 wherein said first and second portions are substantially the same numerical aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 1 further comprising connection means formed between said first and second optical fiber portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 4 further comprising a partially reflective optical filter provided between said first optical fiber portion and said second optical fiber portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 1 wherein said second optical fiber portion comprises a fiber bundle, said bundle being divided into a plurality of subgroups of fibers at a distal end of said bundle remote from said first optical fiber portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 6 wherein said subgroups are individually coupled to opto-electronic devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 6 further comprising connection means formed between said first and second optical fiber portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 8 wherein said bundle is tapered in said connection means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 8 wherein said second optical fiber portion comprises a fiber bundle, said bundle being tapered in said connection means and being metal coated over said taper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 1 wherein said first optical fiber portion comprises a fiber bundle, said bundle being divided into a plurality of subgroups of fibers at a distal end of said bundle remote from said second optical fiber portion, said fiber bundle providing said tapered fiber segment at a proximal end of said bundle adjoining said second optical fiber portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
A fiberoptic pressure sensing system having an optical fiber with a sensing tip at a first end with a pressure sensitive element, the pressure sensitive element modulating a pressure sensing light signal injected into an opposite second end of the optical fiber and returning the light signal into the fiber, the improvement comprising: a tip end provided on the optical fiber; and a taper formed adjacent said tip end which decreases the fiber diameter at said tip end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
A fiberoptic pressure sensing system having an optical fiber with a sensing tip at a first end with a pressure sensitive element, the pressure sensitive element modulating a pressure sensing light signal injected into an opposite second end of the optical fiber and returning the light signal into the fiber, the improvement comprising: a tip end provided on the optical fiber; and a taper formed adjacent said tip end which decreases the fiber diameter at said tip end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 12 wherein said taper has a decreasing diameter formed by fusing and drawing said tip end to form a reduced diameter, for example 75%.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 13 wherein the decrease in said tip end diameter being fused and drawn forms said taper, said taper further receiving a coated layer of reflective metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 13 further comprising a partially reflective optical filter provided on said tip end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 15 wherein the decreased diameter fused and drawn fiber bundle tip end forms said tapered tip end, said tapered tip end being coated with a layer of reflective metal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 12 wherein the optical fiber comprises a fiber bundle adjoining said tip end, said bundle further having a fused and drawn portion which decreases the bundle diameter proximate said tip end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 17 wherein said fiber bundle extends to at least one source of light and at least one detector, said bundle fibers being divided into a plurality of subgroups of fibers at the detector and light source end, one subgroup of fibers being connected to the detector and another subgroup being connected to the light source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 18 further comprising a second detector and a corresponding second separate subgroup of fibers, said second separate subgroup of fibers connecting said second detector to said light sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 19 further comprising a second light source and a corresponding second subgroup of fibers connecting said second light source with said fiber bundle, said second light source being connected to said second detector by said second separate subgroup of fibers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 17 wherein said fiber bundle has a fused and drawn tip end with a decreased diameter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fiberoptic pressure sensing system having an optical fiber with a sensing tip at a first end with a pressure sensitive element, the pressure sensitive element modulating a pressure sensing light signal injected into the opposite second end of the optical fiber, the improvement comprising: a first optical fiber portion providing one portion of the optical fiber with a distal end forming the sensing tip; a second optical fiber portion adjoining said first portion at a proximal end; and a taper formed by said optical fiber interjacent said first and second portions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fiberoptic pressure sensing system having an optical fiber with a sensing tip at a first end with a pressure sensitive element, the pressure sensitive element modulating a pressure sensing light signal injected into the opposite second end of the optical fiber, the improvement comprising: a first optical fiber portion providing one portion of the optical fiber with a distal end forming the sensing tip; a second optical fiber portion adjoining said first portion at a proximal end; and a taper formed by said optical fiber interjacent said first and second portions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
The fiberoptic pressure sensing system of claim 22 further comprising a connector communicating with said first optical portion at the proximal end and said second optical fiber portion at a distal end; wherein said taper is provided by said second optical portion at a distal end which is received within said connector and optically mated with said first optical portion proximal end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-07 | 1999-02-06 | 1999-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-07 | 2003-02-06 | 2003-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-07 | 2007-02-06 | 2007-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |