Patent ID: 6125218
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: G01F,G01L,G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch operatively sensitive to a fluid pressure differential, said switch comprising:(a) a housing having an open end;(b) a fluid-proof diaphragm sealingly engaged with said housing across said open end to define a region inside said housing and a region outside said housing, said diaphragm being formed from a thin elastic material resiliently stretchable between a first switching state which subsists when fluid pressure in said outside region equals fluid pressure in said inside region and a second switching state which subsists when fluid pressure in said outside region exceeds fluid pressure in said inside region by a predetermined amount;(c) a fiber optic input line having:(i) an input end for receiving an optical input signal from an optical source outside said housing; and,(ii) an output end in said inside region for providing said optical input signal as an optical output signal propagating within said inside region;(d) a fiber optic output line having:(i) an input end in said inside region in optical alignment with said output end of said input line for receiving said propagating signal; and,(ii) an output end for transmitting said propagating signal, when so received, as in optical output signal from said switch; and,(e) an optical barrier supported by said diaphragm and extending within said inside region for blocking the propagation of said optical signal from said output end of said input line to said input end of said output line when said diaphragm is in one of said switching states and for permitting the propagation of said optical signal from said output end of said input line to said input end of said output line when said diaphragm is in the other one of said switching states.