US4288159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical temperature transducer
Assignee: YSI Inc
•
Filing: 1979-10-01
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Granted: 1981-09-08
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Expires: 1999-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A substantially solid temperature-dependent light absorbing mass including multiple-faceted randomly oriented and distributed reflecting chips is optically coupled on the terminal end of a fiber optical light conductor.
Inventors
- 👤 David P. Newman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/12; G01K11/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) fiber optical light conducting means having a terminal end, (b) a substantially solid temperature-dependent light absorbing matrix mass optically coupled on said terminal end of said fiber optical light conducting means, and (c) said matrix mass including multifaceted randomly oriented and distributed reflecting chips therein for randomly distributiung light therein received from said fiber optical light conducting means and returning a portion of the unabsorbed light therethrough, reflection of light by said chips being substantially unaffected by temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) fiber optical light conducting means having a terminal end, (b) a substantially solid temperature-dependent light absorbing matrix mass optically coupled on said terminal end of said fiber optical light conducting means, and (c) said matrix mass including multifaceted randomly oriented and distributed reflecting chips therein for randomly distributiung light therein received from said fiber optical light conducting means and returning a portion of the unabsorbed light therethrough, reflection of light by said chips being substantially unaffected by temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein said matrix mass comprises a substantially solid transparent material containing minutely crushed temperature-dependent light absorbing material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transducer of claim 2 wherein said transparent material is an epoxy resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein the light absorbing component of said temperature-dependent light absorbing matrix mass includes a crushed temperature-dependent light absorbing semiconductor material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein the light absorbing component of said temperature-dependent light absorber includes micro-encapsulated temperature-dependent light absorbing liquids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer of claim 1 further comprising an optically opaque coating on the exterior thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) a bundle of optical fibers having a terminal end, (b) a substantially solid temperature-dependent light absorbing matrix mass optically coupled on said terminal end of said fiber optical bundle, (c) said matrix being a transparent epoxy resin, (d) said matrix mass including multifaceted randomly oriented and distributed, crushed, temperature-dependent, light absorbing, reflecting semiconductor chips for randomly distributing light therein received from said fiber optical bundle and returning a portion of the unabsorbed light therethrough, and (e) an optically opaque coating on the exterior of said matrix mass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) a bundle of optical fibers having a terminal end, (b) a substantially solid temperature-dependent light absorbing matrix mass optically coupled on said terminal end of said fiber optical bundle, (c) said matrix being a transparent epoxy resin, (d) said matrix mass including multifaceted randomly oriented and distributed, crushed, temperature-dependent, light absorbing, reflecting semiconductor chips for randomly distributing light therein received from said fiber optical bundle and returning a portion of the unabsorbed light therethrough, and (e) an optically opaque coating on the exterior of said matrix mass.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for fabricating an optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) mixing a temperature-dependent light absorbing material, multifaceted reflecting chips, and a hardenable carrier, and (b) hardening a mass thereof on the terminal end of a fiber optical light conducting means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for fabricating an optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) mixing a temperature-dependent light absorbing material, multifaceted reflecting chips, and a hardenable carrier, and (b) hardening a mass thereof on the terminal end of a fiber optical light conducting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said mixing step further comprises crushing a temperature-dependent light absorbing material and mixing it with the carrier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising applying an optically opaque coating to the exterior of the mass.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for fabricating an optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) crushing a temperature-dependent light absorbing semiconductor material, (b) mixing the crushed material with an epoxy resin carrier, (c) hardening a mass thereof on the terminal end of a bundle of optical fibers, and (d) applying an optically opaque coating to the exterior of the mass.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for fabricating an optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) crushing a temperature-dependent light absorbing semiconductor material, (b) mixing the crushed material with an epoxy resin carrier, (c) hardening a mass thereof on the terminal end of a bundle of optical fibers, and (d) applying an optically opaque coating to the exterior of the mass.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
An optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) fiber optical light conducting means having a terminal end, (b) a substantially solid matrix mass optically coupled on said terminal end of said fiber optical light conducting means, and including multifaceted randomly oriented and distributed reflecting chips therein for randomly distributing light therein received from said fiber optical light conducting means and returning a portion of the unabsorbed light therethrough, said chips providing temperature dependent absorption of light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
An optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) fiber optical light conducting means having a terminal end, (b) a substantially solid matrix mass optically coupled on said terminal end of said fiber optical light conducting means, and including multifaceted randomly oriented and distributed reflecting chips therein for randomly distributing light therein received from said fiber optical light conducting means and returning a portion of the unabsorbed light therethrough, said chips providing temperature dependent absorption of light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer of claim 12 wherein said chips are formed of a crushed, temperature-dependent light absorbing semiconductor material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer of claim 12 further comprising an optically opaque coating on the exterior thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
An optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) fiber optical light conducting means having a terminal end, (b) a substantially solid temperature-dependent light absorbing matrix mass optically coupled on said terminal end of said fiber optical light conducting means, and (c) said matrix mass including multifaceted randomly oriented and distributed reflecting chips therein for randomly distributing light therein received from said fiber optical light conducting means and returning a portion of the unabsorbed light therethrough, said chips providing temperature dependent absorption of light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
An optical temperature transducer, comprising: (a) fiber optical light conducting means having a terminal end, (b) a substantially solid temperature-dependent light absorbing matrix mass optically coupled on said terminal end of said fiber optical light conducting means, and (c) said matrix mass including multifaceted randomly oriented and distributed reflecting chips therein for randomly distributing light therein received from said fiber optical light conducting means and returning a portion of the unabsorbed light therethrough, said chips providing temperature dependent absorption of light.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transducer of claim 15 wherein said matrix mass comprises a substantially solid transparent material containing minutely crushed temperature-dependent light absorbing material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transducer of claim 16 wherein said transparent material is an epoxy resin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer of claim 15 wherein the light absorbing component of said temperature-dependent light absorbing matrix mass includes a crushed temperature-dependent light absorbing semiconductor material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The transducer of claim 15 wherein the light absorbing component of said temperature-dependent light absorbing matrix mass includes micro-encapsulated temperature-dependent light absorbing liquids.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer of claim 15 further comprising an optically opaque coating on the exterior thereof.
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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) | 1984-09-07 | 1985-03-09 | 1985-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-07 | 1989-03-09 | 1989-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-07 | 1993-03-09 | 1993-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |