Patent ID: 7473906
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: G01D,G01N

Abstract:
1. A sensing system, comprising: a sensitive optical fiber having a core with a cladding having at least one sensitive region being sensitive to at least one measurand and being configured for a spatial resolution of 5 mm or less, said sensitive optical fiber being optically affected in a monotonic relationship by the presence of said measurand found in an environment surrounding said sensitive optical fiber; at least one probing light source producing a probing light and being directed from the exterior of said cladding into said sensitive region thereof for illuminating each sensitive region individually, one at a time, said probing light interacts individually with each said sensitive region such that a modified probing light is generated therefrom, each such modification having been substantially caused by the presence of said measurand and said modified probing light being substantially coupled into said core as a light signal with high signal intensity associated with each said sensitive region; a detector means in axial optical communication with a first terminus of said sensitive optical fiber, being configured to receive said light signal upon exiting said first terminus, to measure an intensity of said light signal over a given range of wavelengths and to correlate said intensity with an electric signal; a signal processing means being in data communication with said detector means, said electric signal being transmitted to said signal processing means; a display means being in data communication with said signal processing means said electric signal is correlated to a quantity of said measurand being measured, said quantity being transmitted and displayed on said display means; and a power supply configured to provide power to said probing light source said signal processing means, and said display means.