US5712934A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic infrared sensor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-07-25
•
Granted: 1998-01-27
•
Expires: 2016-07-25
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an optical sensor comprising a light source, light detector and signal generator, and an optical fiber extending between the light source and detector. The optical fiber includes a sensing length comprising a return bend in the fiber, where the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber. In one embodiment, the sensing length further includes a planar sensing surface. A method for detecting the presence of a medium in an environment using the optical sensor of the invention is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas M. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/284; G01F23/292; G01F23/2921; G01F23/2922; G01F23/2925; G01F23/2927; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/042; G01M3/045; G01M3/047; G01M3/38; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; G01N21/474; G01N21/55; G01N21/552
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An optical sensor, comprising: (a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the mount of light received; and (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical sensor, comprising: (a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the mount of light received; and (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensing length further comprises a sensing surface at the apex of the return bend.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical sensor of claim 2, wherein the sensing surface comprises a planar sensing surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical sensor of claim 3, wherein the sensing surface has a maximum length of about twice the radius of the return bend.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to twice the radius of the optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, further comprising a signal processor connected to the light detector and signal generator for output signaling and for indicating the detection of a medium in the environment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a light-emitting diode, a tungsten light source, and a laser diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the light source emits light at wavelengths from about 800 nm to about 1200 nm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the light source emits light at wavelengths at about 950 nm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the light detector is selected from the group consisting of a photodiode and a phototransistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the radius of the optical fiber is from about 50 to about 1000 μm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein radius of the optical fiber is about 500 μm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, further comprising a beamsplitter positioned between the light source and the optical fiber sensing length.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical sensor of claim 1, further comprising an analyte-specific coating on the sensing length.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for detecting the presence of a medium in an environment comprising contacting a sensing length of an optical sensor with the medium, wherein the optical sensor comprises: (a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the amount of light received; (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber; and (d) processing means connected to the light detector and signal generator for output signaling and for indicating the detection of a medium in the environment, such that the presence of the medium in the environment is detected.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for detecting the presence of a medium in an environment comprising contacting a sensing length of an optical sensor with the medium, wherein the optical sensor comprises: (a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the amount of light received; (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber; and (d) processing means connected to the light detector and signal generator for output signaling and for indicating the detection of a medium in the environment, such that the presence of the medium in the environment is detected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the sensing length comprises a planar sensing surface at the apex of the return bend.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the sensing surface has a maximum length of about twice the radius of the return bend.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to about twice the radius of the optical fiber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the light source emits light at a wavelength of about 950 nm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the radius of the optical fiber is about 500 μm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the optical sensor further comprises a beamsplitter positioned between the light source and the optical fiber sensing length.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the medium is water.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the medium is a hydrocarbon.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the medium is a hydrocarbon in water.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
130 words
An optical sensor, comprising: (a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the amount of light received; and (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber, wherein the sensing length further comprises a planar sensing surface at the apex of the return bend, and wherein the planar sensing surface has a maximum length of about twice the radius of the return bend.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
130 words
An optical sensor, comprising: (a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the amount of light received; and (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber, wherein the sensing length further comprises a planar sensing surface at the apex of the return bend, and wherein the planar sensing surface has a maximum length of about twice the radius of the return bend.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical sensor of claim 25, wherein the radius of the optical fiber is from about 50 to about 1000 μm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical sensor of claim 25, further comprising a beamsplitter positioned between the light source and the optical fiber sensing length.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical sensor of claim 25, further comprising an analyte-specific coating on the sensing length.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical sensor of claim 25, further comprising a signal processor connected to the light detector and signal generator for output signaling and for indicating the detection of a medium in the environment.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for detecting the presence of a medium in an environment comprising contacting a sensing length of an optical sensor with the medium, wherein the optical sensor comprises: (a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the amount of light received; (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber, wherein the sensing length comprises a planar sensing surface at the apex of the return bend, and wherein the planar sensing surface has a maximum length of about twice the radius of the return bend; and (d) processing means connected to the light detector and signal generator for output signaling and for indicating the detection of a medium in the environment, such that the presence of the medium in the environment is detected.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for detecting the presence of a medium in an environment comprising contacting a sensing length of an optical sensor with the medium, wherein the optical sensor comprises: (a) a light source for generating light; (b) a light detector and signal generator for receiving light from the light source and for generating variable signals dependent on the amount of light received; (c) an optical fiber made of a light conducting material extending between the light source and the light detector and having a sensing length comprising a return bend in the optical fiber forming an apex, wherein the return bend has a bend radius less than or equal to 2.5 times the radius of the optical fiber, wherein the sensing length comprises a planar sensing surface at the apex of the return bend, and wherein the planar sensing surface has a maximum length of about twice the radius of the return bend; and (d) processing means connected to the light detector and signal generator for output signaling and for indicating the detection of a medium in the environment, such that the presence of the medium in the environment is detected.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the optical sensor further comprises a beamsplitter positioned between the light source and the optical fiber sensing length.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the medium is water.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the medium is a hydrocarbon.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the medium is a hydrocarbon in water.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the radius of the optical fiber is about 500 μm.
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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) | 2001-01-26 | 2001-07-28 | 2002-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-26 | 2005-07-28 | 2006-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-26 | 2009-07-28 | 2010-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |