Patent ID: 6586723
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: G01M,G01N

Abstract:
A detection system for use in detecting the presence of a non-aqueous organic measurand, said system comprising:a fibre-optic probe assembly incorporating an optical fibre which is susceptible to micro bending anywhere along its length, and a body of material contained within a rigid containment structure, wherein said body comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a rubber, plastic and semi-crystalline/rubbery polymeric material and which is subject to a volumetric change capable of inducing a microbend in said optical fibre in the presence of said non-aqueous organic measurand and wherein the body of material is a substantially continuous coating which has a thickness prior to contact with the non-aqueous measurand of less than 7.5 mm; and a sensor assembly coupled to the probe assembly, the sensor assembly having optical signal transmitting and receiving means arranged to identify optical fibre microbend changes arising, in use, from forces imposed locally on the fibre by the interaction of the rigid containment structure and volumetric changes in the body of material.