Thermal dilation fiber optical flow sensor
September 30, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 1285868 1476762 3683692 Refractive index temperature sensor Compensated Fabry Perot sensor Direct-heated flow measuring apparatus having film resistor Fiber-optic sensor with two different wavelengths of light traveling together through the sensor head Fibre optic sensing device and method Fiber optic interferometric thermometer with serially positioned fiber optic sensors Fluid flow sensing apparatus for in vivo and industrial applications employing novel optical fiber pressure sensors InventorApplicationNo. 767189 filed on 09/30/1991US Classes:356/477, Using fiber or waveguide interferometer73/204.16, By control of a separate heating or cooling element250/227.27, With coherent interferrometric light356/44With sample engaging rod or tubeExaminersPrimary: Turner, Samuel A.Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassG01B 009/02AbstractA thermal dilation type optical flow sensor includes an optical heating sce for heating a flowing fluid and a sensor disposed in a downstream direction from said heating source wherein the sensor includes a probe for varying a reflected light according to the temperature of the probe, a Michelson type interferometer for measuring the temperature of the probe according to the phase of the reflected light, and a calculating device for determining the flow rate based on the temperature of the probe, the distance between the heating source and the probe, and the amount of heat produced by the heating source. In an alternative embodiment, a thermal dilation type optical flow sensor includes a reflecting probe disposed in a flowing fluid for reflecting an incident light with a phase varied according to the probe temperature, an optical heater for heating the probe with a predetermined heat, and a calculating device for calculating a flow rate based on the predetermined heat and the phase of the reflected light.Field of SearchOPTICAL PYROMETERSWith sample engaging rod or tube Thermal type By control of a separate heating or cooling element With distinct heating circuitry for a self-heated sensor With auxiliary fluid contacting or in heat exchange relation with flow path (e.g., thermodilution) With coherent interferrometric light With coherent interferrometric light | |
