Patent ID: 8995798
Filing Date: 2015-03-31
Classification: G01D,G01K,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. A reflective element for a fiber optic sensor based on a single optical fiber, said reflective element comprising: a plane containing a sharply defined straight line that separates between a first area of low reflectivity and a second area of high reflectivity, said plane being disposed parallel to a free end surface of the optical fiber so that said free end surface intersects said straight line, whereby relative movement between the free end surface of the optical fiber and the straight line in response to a physical change sensed by the fiber optic sensor induces variations in an optical signal reflected by the area of high reflectivity through the optical fiber, said variations allowing measurement of the physical change; and multiple abutting areas of respective high and low reflectivity each separated by respective sharply defined straight lines that are intermittently intersected by the free end surface of the optical fiber in response to said physical change, wherein: the area of high reflectivity comprises a plate supporting multiple parallel reflective stripes of high reflectivity and intermediate v-grooves of low reflectivity.