Patent ID: 8770024
Filing Date: 2014-07-08
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
1. A fiber optic accelerometer comprising: a hollow body, an optical fiber having a first end and a second end remote from the first end, said optical fiber being supported toward the second end inside the hollow body so as to form a cantilever section, a fiber optic splitter coupled to the first end of the optical fiber, a light source for directing light into the optical fiber via a first branch of the optical splitter, a photo detector arranged for receiving light conveyed through the optical fiber via a second branch of the optical splitter and measuring an intensity of the received light, and a reflective target disposed within and supported at a second end of the hollow body so as to be axially aligned with the second end of the optical fiber when no force is applied to the accelerometer; whereby upon vibration or acceleration of the accelerometer the cantilever section moves such that its position relative to the reflective target changes thereby reducing the instantaneous intensity of light reflected by the target into the second end of the optical fiber and measured by the photo detector; wherein: the reflective target is formed of an optical fiber stub having a first end proximate the free second end of the optical fiber and a second end remote therefrom; and the first end of the optical fiber stub has a slanted surface formed at an angle to an optical axis of the optical fiber stub and the second end of the optical fiber stub is cut perpendicularly to said optical axis and is coated with a highly polished efficient light reflecting material.