Fiber optic remote sensor

Claim 2

Self-sustaining resonant oscillator apparatus energized solely by radiant energy carried by an optical pathway, comprising: (a) vibratable mechanical resonator; (b) motive means for vibrating said mechanical resonator; (c) single optical pathway means for communicating radiant energy from a first point to a second point; (d) radiant energy source means located apart from said resonant element apparatus, said radiant energy source means providing radiant energy to said optical pathway at said first point; (e) terminal end means for terminating said optical pathway at the second point, located adjacent said resonant element, such that the radiant energy exiting said optical pathway is directed toward said resonant element; (f) transducer means for converting optical energy to electrical energy, located opposite said resonant element from said terminal end of said optical pathway, in which the transducer, resonant element, and terminal end means are displaced one from the other with the resonant element positioned at least partially between said terminal end means and said transducer means; (g) electrical communications means for communicating electrical current from said transducer means to said motive means; wherein said motive means for vibrating said resonant element is energized solely by said transducer means, and said resonator means is vibrated transversely back and forth between said transducer means and said terminating end means such that radiant energy exiting the terminating end means is first at least partially blocked from reaching said transducer means and alternately strikes said transducer means.

Claim 3

An oscillating resonant element measurand sensor apparatus energized solely by unmodulated radiant energy carried by a single optical pathway, comprising: (a) a mechanical resonator subjected to a stress force, said stress force being related to said measurand, said resonator having reflective means for reflecting radiant energy at a location on the surface thereof; (b) motive means for vibrating said mechanical resonator; (c) optical pathway means for communicating radiant energy from a first point to a second point in a first direction; (d) radiant energy source means located apart from said resonant element apparatus, said radiant energy source means providing radiant energy to said optical pathway at said first point, wherein the radiant energy provided by the radiant energy source means is substantially steady and unmodulated; (e) terminal end means terminating said optical pathway at said second point, located adjacent sad mechanical resonator such that radiant energy exiting said optical pathway is directed toward said mechanical resonator at said reflective location; (f) transducer means for converting radiant energy to electrical energy, located opposite said mechanical resonator from said terminal end of said optical pathway, in which the transducer, mechanical resonator, and terminal end means are displaced one from the other with the mechanical resonator positioned at least partially between said terminal end means and said transducer means; (g) electric communication means for communicating electrical current from said transducer means to said motive means, for initiating vibratory motion of the mechanical resonator; and (h) radiant energy modulation detection means located along said radiant energy optical pathway means apart from said first point; wherein vibratory motion of said mechanical resonator modulates said radiant energy incident on said transducer means to produce electrical current modulated at said resonant frequency to energize said motive means and said mechanical resonator motion positions said reflection means such that at least a portion of the radiant energy is reflected back along said optical pathway in a second direction towards said first point ot said radiant energy modulation detection means for determination of said measurand.

Claim 4

An oscillating resonant element measurand sensor apparatus energized solely by unmodulated radiant energy carried by a single optical pathway, comprising: (a) a mechanical resonator subjected to a stress force, said stress force being related to said measurand, said resonator having reflective means for reflecting radiant energy at a location on the surface thereof; (b) motive means for vibrating said mechanical resonator; (c) optical pathway means for communicating radiant energy from a first point to a second point in a first direction; (d) radiant energy source means located apart from said resonant element apparatus, said radiant energy source means providing radiant energy to said optical pathway at said first point, wherein the radiant energy provided by the radiant energy source means is substantially steady and unmodulated; (e) terminal end means terminating said optical pathway at said second point, located adjacent sad mechanical resonator such that radiant energy exiting said optical pathway is directed toward said mechanical resonator at said reflective location; (f) transducer means for converting radiant energy to electrical energy, located opposite said mechanical resonator from said terminal end of said optical pathway, in which the transducer, mechanical resonator, and terminal end means are displaced one from the other with the mechanical resonator positioned at least partially between said terminal end means and said transducer means; (g) electric communication means for communicating electrical current from said transducer means to said motive means, for initiating vibratory motion of the mechanical resonator; and (h) radiant energy modulation detection means located along said radiant energy optical pathway means apart from said first point; wherein vibratory motion of said mechanical resonator modulates said radiant energy incident on said transducer means to produce electrical current modulated at said resonant frequency to energize said motive means and said mechanical resonator motion positions said reflection means such that at least a portion of the radiant energy is reflected back along said optical pathway in a second direction towards said first point ot said radiant energy modulation detection means for determination of said measurand.

Claim 5

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical resonator subjected to a stress force is a ribbon.

Claim 6

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical resonator subjected to a stress force is a resonant hollow beam structure.

Claim 7

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the resonant hollow beam structure is cantilevered.

Claim 8

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the radiant energy provided by the radiant energy source means is of a wavelength between 10 3 and 10 5 Angstroms.

Claim 9

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the radiant energy provided by the radiant energy source means is preferably of a wavelength between about 1,000 and about 4,000 Angstroms.

Claim 10

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the radiant energy provided by the radiant energy source means is preferably of a wavelength between about 4,000 and about 7,000 Anstroms.

Claim 11

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the radiant energy provided by the radiant energy source means is of a wavelength between about 7,000 and about 100,000 Angstroms.

Claim 12

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the radiant energy provided by the radiant energy source means is incoherent.

Claim 13

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the radiant energy provided by the radiant energy source means is coherent.

Claim 14

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optical pathway means comprises a single fiber optic radiant energy passageway.

Claim 15

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optical pathway elements along a unitary path.

Claim 16

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 2, further including transformer impedance matching means having at least first and second windings, wherein the transducer output current is coupled to said first winding and said motive means are connected to said second winding.

Claim 17

The oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising phase shift means to cause the motive current to drive the resonant element with the correct phase.

Claim 18

Oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the motive means thereof comprises: (a) magnetic force bias means for creating a magnetic field around said mechanical resonator; (b) means for communicating the transducer electrical current output to the respective ends of said mechanical resonator and for passing transducer output current therethrough for generating an electromagnetic field; whereby the mechanism for inducing movement of the mechanical resonator between said transducer means and said radiant energy terminal end means is by interaction of said magnetic force bias means and said electromagnetic field.

Claim 19

Oscillating resonant element sensor apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the motive means thereof comprises piezoelectric vibrator means for converting electrical energy to mechanical movement of the resonant element.

Claim 20

In a self-sustaining resonant oscillator apparatus energized solely by radiant energy carried by a single pathway, and which includes a vibratable mechanical resonator, motive means for vibrating said mechanical resonator, and single fiber optic pathway means for communicating radiant energy from a first point to a second point, the method of energizing said oscillator which comprises: (a) generating unmodulated radiant energy at a radiant energy source apart from said resonant oscillator, (b) introducing said radiant energy into said optical pathway at a first end thereof; (c) directing radiant energy from a terminal point at the second end of said optical pathway onto a transducer, the space between said transducer and said terminal point including a vibratable mechanical resonator; (d) generating power via said transducer to energize said motive means; and (e) vibrating said mechanical resonator via said motive means such that said mechanical resonator alternately at least partially passes and shutters radiant energy passing between said terminal point and said mechanical resonator.

Claim 21

In a self-sustaining resonant oscillator apparatus energized solely by radiant energy carried by a single pathway, and which includes a vibratable mechanical resonator, motive means for vibrating said mechanical resonator, and single fiber optic pathway means for communicating radiant energy from a first point to a second point, the method of energizing said oscillator which comprises: (a) generating unmodulated radiant energy at a radiant energy source apart from said resonant oscillator, (b) introducing said radiant energy into said optical pathway at a first end thereof; (c) directing radiant energy from a terminal point at the second end of said optical pathway onto a transducer, the space between said transducer and said terminal point including a vibratable mechanical resonator; (d) generating power via said transducer to energize said motive means; and (e) vibrating said mechanical resonator via said motive means such that said mechanical resonator alternately at least partially passes and shutters radiant energy passing between said terminal point and said mechanical resonator.

Claim 22

In an oscillating resonant element measrand sensor apparatus energized solely by unmodulated radiant energy carried by a single optical pathway, the measurand sensing method comprising: (a) subjecting a source end of a radiant energy pathway means to a steady beam of such radiant energy; (b) communicating said steady radiant energy along said pathway in a first direction to a self-sustaining resonant oscillator device; (c) alternately using only said communicated radiant energy to intermittently drive the resonant element in an oscillatory mechanical vibration mode and to reflect at least a portion of the radiant energy partially along said pathway in a second, reverse direction, wherein electrical energy is derived from the radiant energy by a transducer during periods when the radiant energy is not bein reflected and is used to sustain oscillation of said resonant element; and (d) detecting the reflected radiant energy variations and relating same to the measurand.

Claim 23

In an oscillating resonant element measrand sensor apparatus energized solely by unmodulated radiant energy carried by a single optical pathway, the measurand sensing method comprising: (a) subjecting a source end of a radiant energy pathway means to a steady beam of such radiant energy; (b) communicating said steady radiant energy along said pathway in a first direction to a self-sustaining resonant oscillator device; (c) alternately using only said communicated radiant energy to intermittently drive the resonant element in an oscillatory mechanical vibration mode and to reflect at least a portion of the radiant energy partially along said pathway in a second, reverse direction, wherein electrical energy is derived from the radiant energy by a transducer during periods when the radiant energy is not bein reflected and is used to sustain oscillation of said resonant element; and (d) detecting the reflected radiant energy variations and relating same to the measurand.

Claim 24

The method according to claim 19 in which the resonant element is caused to vibrate mechanically through the interaction of an electromagnetic field and a substantially fixed magnetic field.

Claim 25

The method according to claim 19 in which the resonant element is caused to oscillate by subjecting same to mechanical stress caused by directly applying an electrical field to a piezoelectric element.

Claim 26

In an oscillating resonant element measurand sensor apparatus energized solely by unmodulated radiant energy carried by a single optical pathway, including plural resonant elements subjected to stress forces related to measurands, radiant energy drive source, and means to return a plurality of signal values related to the stress forces, the method comprsiing: (a) subjecting a source end of a radiant energy pathway means to a steady beam of radiant energy which includes a plurality of wavelengths including at least first and second wavelengths, (b) communicating said steady beam of radiant energy along said pathway in a first direction to a splitter, said splitter dividing the radiant energy into a plurality of discrete paths, (c) communicating the radiant energy from at least one of said plurality of discrete paths to a resonant element device, and (d) alternately using only said communicated radiant energy to intermittently drive at least one resonant element in an oscillatory mechanical vibration mode and reflecting energy of a wavelength selected from at least a portion of the radiant energy along at least a portion of said pathway in a second, reverse direction wherein electrical energy for energizing the sensor is derived from the radiant energy by a transducer during periods when the radiant energy is not being reflected and is used to sustain oscillation of said resonant element; and (e) detecting the reflected radiant energy variations and relating same to the measurand.

Claim 27

In an oscillating resonant element measurand sensor apparatus energized solely by unmodulated radiant energy carried by a single optical pathway, including plural resonant elements subjected to stress forces related to measurands, radiant energy drive source, and means to return a plurality of signal values related to the stress forces, the method comprsiing: (a) subjecting a source end of a radiant energy pathway means to a steady beam of radiant energy which includes a plurality of wavelengths including at least first and second wavelengths, (b) communicating said steady beam of radiant energy along said pathway in a first direction to a splitter, said splitter dividing the radiant energy into a plurality of discrete paths, (c) communicating the radiant energy from at least one of said plurality of discrete paths to a resonant element device, and (d) alternately using only said communicated radiant energy to intermittently drive at least one resonant element in an oscillatory mechanical vibration mode and reflecting energy of a wavelength selected from at least a portion of the radiant energy along at least a portion of said pathway in a second, reverse direction wherein electrical energy for energizing the sensor is derived from the radiant energy by a transducer during periods when the radiant energy is not being reflected and is used to sustain oscillation of said resonant element; and (e) detecting the reflected radiant energy variations and relating same to the measurand.

Claim 28

The method according to claim 22 in which the resonant element is caused to oscillate through the interaction of an electromagnetic field in a substantially fixed magnetic field.

Claim 29

The method according to claim 22 in which the resonant element is caused to oscillate by subjecting same to mechanical stress caused by directly applying an electrical field to a piezoelectric element.

Claim 30

The method according to claim 22 in which the reflected radiant energy is selectively diverted by wavelength and detected to indicate the stress forces and thus the measurand values.

Claim 31

An oscillating resonant element measurand sensor apparatus energized solely by unmodulated radiant energy carried by a single optical pathway for a portion of the pathway length, for remotely sensing a plurality of stress forces related to at least one measurand, comprising: (a) radiant energy source means located apart from said resonant element sensor apparatus, said radiant energy source means providing radiant energy to said optical pathway at said first point, wherein the radiane energy provided by the radiant energy source means is substantially steady and unmodulated; (b) a plurality of vibratable mechanical resonators subjected to at least two stress forces related to at least one measurand, disposed apart from said radiant energy source means; (c) single communicating optical pathway means to channel the radiant energy in a first direction from said radiant energy source means; (d) means to divide said single communicating pathway into a plruality of communicating pathways each of a separate wavelength; (e) terminating end point means associated with each of said resonators for terminating a radiant energy pathway adjacent each of said resonators; (f) plural communicating pathway means for communicating radiant energy to the corresponding individual terminal points adjacent each of said resonator elements; (g) individual transducer means associated with each pathway and each terminating point, adjacent each of said resonator elements and opposite the respective corresponding terminating point, for generating electrical power from the radiant energy emanating from the respective corresponding terminating point; (h) individual electric motive means for inducing movement of each resonator element transversely between its corresponding transducer and respective terminating point to shutter the radiant energy reaching the transducer at frequencies related to the stress forces; (i) a reflective surface on each of said resonator elements for modulating the radiant energy by reflecting at least a portion of the radiant energy back along at least a portion of the communicating pathway in a second direction opposite said first direction, (j) means for selectively separating the radiant energy returned from each of said resonant elements by wavelength; and (k) means for detecting the modulation frequency of the returned radiant energy associated with each of said resonant elements.

Claim 32

An oscillating resonant element measurand sensor apparatus energized solely by unmodulated radiant energy carried by a single optical pathway for a portion of the pathway length, for remotely sensing a plurality of stress forces related to at least one measurand, comprising: (a) radiant energy source means located apart from said resonant element sensor apparatus, said radiant energy source means providing radiant energy to said optical pathway at said first point, wherein the radiane energy provided by the radiant energy source means is substantially steady and unmodulated; (b) a plurality of vibratable mechanical resonators subjected to at least two stress forces related to at least one measurand, disposed apart from said radiant energy source means; (c) single communicating optical pathway means to channel the radiant energy in a first direction from said radiant energy source means; (d) means to divide said single communicating pathway into a plruality of communicating pathways each of a separate wavelength; (e) terminating end point means associated with each of said resonators for terminating a radiant energy pathway adjacent each of said resonators; (f) plural communicating pathway means for communicating radiant energy to the corresponding individual terminal points adjacent each of said resonator elements; (g) individual transducer means associated with each pathway and each terminating point, adjacent each of said resonator elements and opposite the respective corresponding terminating point, for generating electrical power from the radiant energy emanating from the respective corresponding terminating point; (h) individual electric motive means for inducing movement of each resonator element transversely between its corresponding transducer and respective terminating point to shutter the radiant energy reaching the transducer at frequencies related to the stress forces; (i) a reflective surface on each of said resonator elements for modulating the radiant energy by reflecting at least a portion of the radiant energy back along at least a portion of the communicating pathway in a second direction opposite said first direction, (j) means for selectively separating the radiant energy returned from each of said resonant elements by wavelength; and (k) means for detecting the modulation frequency of the returned radiant energy associated with each of said resonant elements.

Claim 33

Sensor apparatus as in claim 26, wherein means for selectively separating the radiant energy by wavelength comprises a wavelength-selective filter element through which the radiant energy from the respective resonant element passes.

Claim 34

Sensor apparatus as in claim 26, wherein said means for selectively separating the radiant energy by wavelength comprises a different wavelength-selective coating on the reflective surface of each respective resonant element.

Claim 35

Sensor apparatus according to claim 3 for sensing a fluid pressure force in which said resonant ribbon element includes first and second ends, and further comprising: housing means forming a rigid enclosure having at least one end wall within an enveloping enclosure having at least one side wall perpendicular to and joined with said end wall; a pressure diaphragm spaced apart from said end wall, said diaphragm including mounting means attached to a first end of said resonant ribbon elemetn and defining within said enclosure first and second cavities such that said first cavity is substantially sealed and includes said end wall, an atmospheric vent, and at least a portion of said side wall, and said second cavity is sealed from said first cavity; and source means of fluid pressure force for communicating the pressure force to said second cavity and to said diaphragm; characterized in that said resonant ribbon element second end is attached to the interior surface of said end wall of the enclosure within the first cavity, and whereby the longitudinal tesnion on said resonant ribbon is varied in relation to the pressure force applied to said diaphragm.

Claim 36

Sensor apparatus according to claim 29 for measuring absolute pressure in which the first cavity is evacuated and tightly sealed.

Claim 37

Sensor apparatus according to claim 29 for measuring gauge pressure in which the first cavity is vented to the atmosphere.

Claim 38

Sensor apparatus according to claim 3 for sensing temperature, further including a housing enclosure having opposing first and second ends to which the resonant ribbon element ends are attached, further characterized in that the housing enclosure structure has a different expansion temperature coefficient than that of the ribbon element.

Claim 39

Sensor apparatus according to claim 3 for sensing mechanical pressure force in which said resonant ribbon element includes first and second ends, and further comprising: first and second end walls and at least one contiguous side wall surrounding a longitudinal axis perpendicular to and between said ends, and forming an enclosure having interior surfaces; spacer means interposed between said at least one contiguous sidewall and the mechanical pressure force, for separating said mechanical pressure force from the respective end wall and for communicating only the mechanical pressure force to said at least one contiguous side wall, said force being communicated coaxial with said longitudinal axis; and attachment means for securing the first and second ends of said resonant ribbon element under tension to the interior of said first end wall and said second end wall.

Claim 40

Sensor apparatus according to claim 4, including a resonant hollow beam structure having an internal cavity for sensing a fluid pressure force by communicating with said fluid pressure force, further including a vapor in equilibrium separating the fluid pressure force source and the resonant hollow beam internal cavity.