Patent ID: 11965759
Assignee: NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 11:
12. A device for performing ultrasonic measurements of fluid properties, the device comprising:
a light source;
an elongated member configured to be arranged in the fluid for performing ultrasonic measurements of fluid properties of the fluid, wherein the elongated member comprises:
an optical fiber configured to transmit light from the light source through the optical fiber;
a light driven ultrasound excitation element arranged at one position along the elongated member and configured to transfer light from the optical fiber to the fluid outside the elongated member, or to a light absorber in thermal contact with the fluid outside the elongated member; and
an at least partially reflecting surface, or a plurality of partially reflecting surfaces located at one or more other locations along the elongated member arranged in the fluid;
wherein the elongated member comprises at least one of the group consisting of:
an optical fiber configured to be arranged in the fluid, the optical fiber comprising both the light driven ultrasound excitation element and the at least partially reflecting surface, or the plurality of partially reflecting surfaces; and
a packaging of optical fibers configured to be arranged in the fluid, the packaging of optical fibers comprising at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, the first optical fiber comprising the light driven ultrasound excitation element and the second optical fiber comprising the at least partially reflecting surface, or the plurality of partially reflecting surfaces; and

an optical detector coupled to the optical fiber and configured to detect an effect of the ultrasound waves on light reflected or transmitted by the at least partially reflecting surface, or the plurality of partially reflecting surfaces.