Fiber Optic Position Sensor and Method for Using

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for detecting both an absence and a presence of a light beam moving in an optical fiber to determine the position of a component. The method is carried out by the apparatus which includes a plunger having first and second positions coordinated with first and second component positions respectively. The optical fiber is capable of having a light beam move in a first direction and of having the light beam move in a reverse direction in the optical fiber. A detector is provided for indicating the absence of the reverse direction of the light beam moving in the optical fiber and for indicating the presence of the light beam moving in the first direction in the optical fiber.

主权项

1. A position sensor for detecting first and second component positions of a component of a structure, the position sensor comprising:
a frame; a plunger linearly and reciprocally mounted along an axis on the frame, the plunger having first and second plunger positions and being in coordination with the first and second component positions respectively; an optical fiber being mounted on the frame and being capable of having a light beam move in the first direction therein at all times and being capable of having the light beam move in the reverse direction in the optical fiber member when the component position changes between the first and second component positions and when the plunger member position has changed between the first and second plunger member positions in coordination with the first and second component positions; and a detector for indicating the absence of the reverse direction of the light beam moving in the optical fiber and for indicating the presence of the light beam moving in the first direction in the optical fiber.