Patent ID: 9217629
Filing Date: 2015-12-22
Classification: G01B,G01D,G01L

Abstract:
1. A displacement sensor for sensing a displacement of a movable component of a device, the displacement sensor comprising: a flexible element comprising a flexible element mounting portion mounted to the device and a flexible element coupling portion spaced apart from the flexible element mounting portion, a displacement conversion mechanism that is (a) coupled to the movable component and (b) coupled to the flexible element by a displacement conversion mechanism connection that includes a coupling portion of the displacement conversion mechanism, the flexible element coupling portion, and a mechanical coupling between the coupling portion of the conversion mechanism and the flexible element coupling portion, wherein the displacement conversion mechanism is configured to convert a displacement of the movable component into a smaller displacement of the flexible element coupling portion, the flexible element being arranged such that the displacement of the flexible element coupling portion causes the flexible element to bend, and a fiber optic strain sensor coupled to the flexible element and configured to detect a bending of the flexible element as strain; wherein the movable component is movable in a first direction, and wherein the flexible element extends in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and wherein the displacement conversion mechanism is configured such that a movement of the movable component in the first direction is converted into an arcuate movement of the displacement conversion mechanism connection.