US4626680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure sensor whose optical system moves in response to movement of diaphragm
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1984-03-07
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Granted: 1986-12-02
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Expires: 2004-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A pressure sensor comprises an optical system which is coupled to a diaphragm an which couples light emitted by a transmitting light guide into two receiving light guides depending on the deflection of the diaphragm. In order to enable the pressure values thus detected to be measured by means of a simple circuit, the transmitting light guide and the receiving light guides are arranged parallel to the diaphragm and the optical system is constructed as a focusing system, preferably a spherical lens arranged to be movable by the diaphragm 11 in a direction perpendicular to this diaphragm.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Martens
- 👤 Manfred R. Liehr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0041; G01L9/0076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A pressure sensor comprising a diaphragm movable in response to pressure applied thereto, an optical system coupled to said diaphragm, said optical system being movable in response to movement of said diaphragm, a light guide for transmitting light into light guides arranged for receiving light transmitted by said transmitting light guide, wherein the transmitting and receiving light guides are arranged parallel to the diaphragm and the optical system is a focusing system which can change the amount of light receivable by the receiving light guides in response to movement of said diaphragm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A pressure sensor comprising a diaphragm movable in response to pressure applied thereto, an optical system coupled to said diaphragm, said optical system being movable in response to movement of said diaphragm, a light guide for transmitting light into light guides arranged for receiving light transmitted by said transmitting light guide, wherein the transmitting and receiving light guides are arranged parallel to the diaphragm and the optical system is a focusing system which can change the amount of light receivable by the receiving light guides in response to movement of said diaphragm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pressure sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the focusing system is a lens system which comprises at least one lens which is arranged to be movable by the diaphragm in a direction perpendicular to the diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pressure sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the focusing system is a concave mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pressure sensor as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the movable lens is a spherical lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pressure sensor as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that a cylindrical lens is arranged between the spherical lens (16) and the receiving light guides (17, 18), the axis of the cylindrical lens extending in the direction of movement of the spherical lens (16).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pressure sensor as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the focusing system is mechanically connected to two diaphragms which are arranged opposite each other and which enclose a pressure cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A pressure sensor as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the pressure cell is filled with an incompressible fluid (29) which is transparent to the wavelength of the light being used.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pressure sensor as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that a third diaphragm which supports the focusing system divides the pressure cell into two compartments which are each closed by one of the other two diaphragms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pressure sensor as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that a flexible tube which is mechanically connected to the other two diaphragms is arranged in the pressure cell in a fluid-tight manner, the focusing system being secured to the inner wall of said tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pressure sensor as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the light guides have free ends which terminate in the tube (43) and are mechanically isolated from the tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-01 | 1990-06-02 | 1990-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-01 | 1994-06-02 | 1994-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-01 | 1998-06-02 | 1998-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |