US4985624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical grating sensor and method of monitoring with a multi-period grating
Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products Inc
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Filing: 1989-02-09
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Granted: 1991-01-15
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Expires: 2009-02-09
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 William B. Spillman, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/36; G01D5/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of optical displacement detection comprising: providing a diffraction grating having a first grating period and a different second grating period, a first optical fiber and a detecting means having a second optical fiber having input and output ends, means for focusing diffracted light into said input end of said second optical fiber and means coupled to said output end of said second optical fiber for determining at least the wavelength of the diffracted light; irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation passing through said first optical fiber; and detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of irradiation of the boundary between the first and second gratings at the boundary is displaced relative to the irradiating light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of optical displacement detection comprising: providing a diffraction grating having a first grating period and a different second grating period, a first optical fiber and a detecting means having a second optical fiber having input and output ends, means for focusing diffracted light into said input end of said second optical fiber and means coupled to said output end of said second optical fiber for determining at least the wavelength of the diffracted light; irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation passing through said first optical fiber; and detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of irradiation of the boundary between the first and second gratings at the boundary is displaced relative to the irradiating light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of optical displacement detection according to claim 1, wherein said diffraction grating is a reflective diffraction grating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of optical displacement detection according to claim 1, wherein the means for irradiating comprises: an optical source for producing broadband light; an optical fiber having an input coupled to said optical source and having an output; and means for directing the broadband light from said output of said optical fiber onto said diffraction grating at said predetermined angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of optical displacement detection according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength determining means comprises: a transmission diffraction grating; means for focussing the light emitted from said output end of said second optical fiber onto said transmission diffraction grating; and an array of light-responsive devices for detecting the diffracted light, the wavelength of the diffracted wave sensed as a function of selected ones of the light responsive devices irradiated by the diffracted light.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of optical displacement detection comprising: providing a diffraction grating having a linearly variable grating period; irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation; and detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of the displacement of the diffraction grating relative to the irradiating light.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of optical displacement detection comprising: providing a diffraction grating having a linearly variable grating period; irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation; and detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of the displacement of the diffraction grating relative to the irradiating light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of optical displacement detection according to claim 5 wherein said diffraction grating is a reflective diffraction grating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of optical displacement detection according to claim 5, wherein the means for irradiating comprises: an optical source for producing broadband light; an optical fiber having an input coupled to said optical source and having an output; and means for directing the broadband light from said output of said optical fiber onto said diffraction grating at said predetermined angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of optical displacement detection according to claim 5, wherein said detecting means comprises: a second optical fiber having an input end and an output end; means for focussing the diffracted light into said input end of said second optical fiber; and means coupled to said output end of said second optical fiber for determining at least the wavelength of the diffracted light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of optical displacement detection according to claim 8, wherein the wavelength determining means comprises: a transmission diffraction grating; means for focussing the light emitted from said output end of said second optical fiber onto said transmission diffraction grating; and an array of light responsive devices for detecting the diffracted light, the wavelength of the diffracted wave sensed as a function of selected ones of the light responsive devices irradiated by the diffracted light.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of detection using an optical transducer comprising: providing an optical fiber, a diffraction grating having a linearly variable grating period, and means responsive to a physical parameter coupled to said diffraction grating to apply a force thereto to strain said diffraction grating in response to the physical parameter; irradiating said diffraction grating at a first predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation passing through said optical fiber; and detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of the strain experienced by said diffraction grating.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of detection using an optical transducer comprising: providing an optical fiber, a diffraction grating having a linearly variable grating period, and means responsive to a physical parameter coupled to said diffraction grating to apply a force thereto to strain said diffraction grating in response to the physical parameter; irradiating said diffraction grating at a first predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation passing through said optical fiber; and detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of the strain experienced by said diffraction grating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of detection according to claim 10, wherein said means responsive to a physical parameter is responsive to pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of detection of claim 10 wherein said means responsive to a physical parameter is responsive to stress.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of detection of claim 10 wherein said means responsive to a physical parameter is responsive to strain.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of detection according to claim 10, wherein said means responsive to a physical parameter is responsive to temperature.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of detection comprising: providing a diffraction grating having a linearly variable first grating period and a nonlinearly variable second grating period, and means responsive to a physical parameter coupled to said diffraction gratings to apply a force thereto to strain said diffraction gratings in response to the physical parameter; irradiating said diffraction gratings at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation; and detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction gratings as a consequence of irradiation of the boundary between the first and second gratings as a consequence of the strain experienced by said diffraction gratings.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of detection comprising: providing a diffraction grating having a linearly variable first grating period and a nonlinearly variable second grating period, and means responsive to a physical parameter coupled to said diffraction gratings to apply a force thereto to strain said diffraction gratings in response to the physical parameter; irradiating said diffraction gratings at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation; and detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction gratings as a consequence of irradiation of the boundary between the first and second gratings as a consequence of the strain experienced by said diffraction gratings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein said means responsive to a physical parameter is responsive to pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein said means responsive to a physical parameter is responsive to temperature.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of optical displacement detection comprising: providing a first diffraction grating having a variable grating period; and a second diffraction grating having a fixed grating period; irradiating said first and second diffraction gratings with broadband optical radiation; and detecting light refracted from said first diffraction grating and said second diffraction grating, said means detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from the first diffraction grating as a consequence of displacement of the first diffraction grating relative the irradiating light and compensating for any error in the detected characteristic common to both said first and second diffraction gratings using the detected light from said second diffraction grating.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of optical displacement detection comprising: providing a first diffraction grating having a variable grating period; and a second diffraction grating having a fixed grating period; irradiating said first and second diffraction gratings with broadband optical radiation; and detecting light refracted from said first diffraction grating and said second diffraction grating, said means detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from the first diffraction grating as a consequence of displacement of the first diffraction grating relative the irradiating light and compensating for any error in the detected characteristic common to both said first and second diffraction gratings using the detected light from said second diffraction grating.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of optical displacement sensing comprising: providing a first diffraction grating having a first linearly variable grating period and a second nonlinearly variable grating period separated by a boundary; a second diffraction grating having a fixed grating period; irradiating said first and second diffraction gratings with broadband optical radiation; and detecting light refracted from said first diffraction grating and second diffraction grating, said means detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from the first diffraction grating as a consequence of displacement of the boundary relative to the irradiating light and compensating for any error in the detected characteristic common to both said first and second diffraction gratings using the detected light from said second diffraction grating.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of optical displacement sensing comprising: providing a first diffraction grating having a first linearly variable grating period and a second nonlinearly variable grating period separated by a boundary; a second diffraction grating having a fixed grating period; irradiating said first and second diffraction gratings with broadband optical radiation; and detecting light refracted from said first diffraction grating and second diffraction grating, said means detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from the first diffraction grating as a consequence of displacement of the boundary relative to the irradiating light and compensating for any error in the detected characteristic common to both said first and second diffraction gratings using the detected light from said second diffraction grating.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of optical displacement sensing comprising: providing a diffraction grating having a linearly variable first grating period and a nonlinearly variable second grating period; irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation; detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of irradiation of the boundary between the first and second gratings as the boundary is displaced relative the irradiating light; and sensing a portion of the broadband light and normalizing the detected characteristic of the diffracted light in response thereto.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of optical displacement sensing comprising: providing a diffraction grating having a linearly variable first grating period and a nonlinearly variable second grating period; irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation; detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of irradiation of the boundary between the first and second gratings as the boundary is displaced relative the irradiating light; and sensing a portion of the broadband light and normalizing the detected characteristic of the diffracted light in response thereto.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of optical displacement sensing comprising: providing an optical fiber a diffraction grating having a linearly variable grating period; irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation passing through said optical fiber; detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence displacement of the diffraction grating relative the irradiating light; and sensing s portion of the broadband light and normalizing the detected characteristic of the diffracted light in response thereto.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of optical displacement sensing comprising: providing an optical fiber a diffraction grating having a linearly variable grating period; irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation passing through said optical fiber; detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence displacement of the diffraction grating relative the irradiating light; and sensing s portion of the broadband light and normalizing the detected characteristic of the diffracted light in response thereto.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
91 words
An electromagnetic radiation sensor comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation, an optical fiber, diffracting means for diffracting electromagnetic radiation and an electromagnetic radiation detector, said source being positioned to propagate electromagnetic radiation through said optical fiber to said diffracting means, said detector being positioned to detect at least a portion of said electromagnetic radiation from said diffracting means, said diffracting means comprising diffracting elements said elements having at least one region of nonuniformity said region being effective to change at least one detectable characteristic of the radiation detected by said detector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
91 words
An electromagnetic radiation sensor comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation, an optical fiber, diffracting means for diffracting electromagnetic radiation and an electromagnetic radiation detector, said source being positioned to propagate electromagnetic radiation through said optical fiber to said diffracting means, said detector being positioned to detect at least a portion of said electromagnetic radiation from said diffracting means, said diffracting means comprising diffracting elements said elements having at least one region of nonuniformity said region being effective to change at least one detectable characteristic of the radiation detected by said detector.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sensor of claim 22 wherein said diffracting comprises at least one diffraction grating, said grating comprising diffracting elements having a variable period.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor of claim 23 wherein said diffracting means comprises at least two diffraction gratings, each said grating comprising a plurality of diffracting elements.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor of claim 24 wherein the spacing of said elements is detectably different in each said grating.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 22 wherein said diffracting means reflects said detected radiation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 22 wherein said diffracting means transmitted said detected radiation.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sensor of claim 22 wherein said characteristic is wavelength.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sensor of claim 22 wherein said characteristic is intensity.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sensor of claim 22 wherein said electromagnetic radiation comprises infrared radiation, visible light or untraviolet radiation.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
The sensor of claim 22 wherein said diffracting means comprises a planar upper surface, and said source is positioned to propagate electromagnetic radiation to intersect said planar upper surface of said diffracting means at an acute angle.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sensor of claim 22 in combination with a switch.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sensor of claim 22 in combination with a display.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 22 wherein said detector is connected to a microprocessor.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of monitoring, comprising; providing an optical displacement sensor comprising: a diffraction grating having a linearly variable first grating period and a nonlinearly variable second grating period; means for irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation; and means for detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of irradiation of the boundary between the first and second gratings as the boundary is displaced relative the irradiating light; said detectable characteristic of said detected radiation changing consistently with changes in a monitored condition, whereby said condition is determined from said characteristic of said radiation.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of monitoring, comprising; providing an optical displacement sensor comprising: a diffraction grating having a linearly variable first grating period and a nonlinearly variable second grating period; means for irradiating said diffraction grating at a predetermined angle with broadband optical radiation; and means for detecting a change in a characteristic of the light diffracted from said diffraction grating as a consequence of irradiation of the boundary between the first and second gratings as the boundary is displaced relative the irradiating light; said detectable characteristic of said detected radiation changing consistently with changes in a monitored condition, whereby said condition is determined from said characteristic of said radiation.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said monitored condition is temperature, pressure, stress or displacement.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said diffracting means is a planar diffraction grating having nonuniformly positioned diffracting elements, and said radiation is propagated to said grating at an acute angle to the plane of said grating.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said detected radiation is diffracted by a portion of said diffrating means which is exposed to radiation from said source and said portion of said diffracting means in said exposed changes with changes in said monitored condition.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said radiation from said comprises a substantially broader range of wavelengths than the range of wavelengths in said detected radiation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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