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AbstractA temperature measuring system that utilizes an electronic control unit and a rod made of a first material with a first thermal coefficient of expansion, the rod being attached at one end within a tubular device made of a material having a second coefficient of expansion. A reflecting surface is on the outer end of the rod of first material. At least one optical fiber is associated with the tubular member and is located so as to create a gap between the optical fiber and the reflecting surface. The first and second materials are chosen based upon their respective coefficients of thermal expansion such that a change in temperature of both materials will cause the length of the gap to either increase or decrease, thereby causing a change in the amount of light that is reflected and detected by the optical fibers. | InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 956678 filed on 10/05/1992US Classes:385/12, OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE SENSOR250/231.1, Actuated by dynamic external physical quantity374/55, Expansion or contraction characteristics (e.g., dilatometry)374/130, Optical system structure (e.g., lens)374/131, With radiation conducting element385/15WITH OPTICAL COUPLERField of Search250/227.21, With light chopping or modulation250/231.1, Actuated by dynamic external physical quantity374/131, With radiation conducting element374/130, Optical system structure (e.g., lens)374/55, Expansion or contraction characteristics (e.g., dilatometry)385/12, OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE SENSOR385/13, Including physical deformation or movement of waveguide385/18, Reflective-type switch385/147, MISCELLANEOUS385/15, WITH OPTICAL COUPLER385/39, Particular coupling structure385/47Multiport coupler using reflective surfaceExaminersPrimary: Lee, John D.Assistant: Ngo, John Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References4176551, Fiber-optic thermometerIssued on: 12/04/1979 Inventor: Hammer , et al.4672199Fiberoptic temperature/pressure sensor system Issued on: 06/09/1987 Inventor: Anderson , et al. International ClassG02B 006/02 |