SENSING PAD ASSEMBLY EMPLOYING VARIABLE COUPLER FIBEROPTIC SENSOR

摘要

A sensing pad assembly for monitoring acoustic activity or motion of an obje ct supported on the pad utilizes an improved fiberoptic sensor as a pressure transducing element to convert pressure fluctuations due to the acoustic activity or motion to an output that changes in accordance with the pressure fluctuations. The sensor (20) has an improved design that permits deflection of the coupler fusion region (32) without accompanying tension. In a preferr ed embodiment, the coupler fusion region (32) is arranged substantially in a U- shape so that the fiberoptic leads (34, 36) of the sensor may be located adjacent to each other at one side of the sensor.