Fiber Optic Microswitch For Industrial Use

F. X. Desforges; L. B. Jeunhomme; Ph. Graindorge; G. LeBoudec

doi:10.1117/12.942524

23 March 1988 Fiber Optic Microswitch For Industrial Use

F. X. Desforges, L. B. Jeunhomme, Ph. Graindorge, G. LeBoudec

Proceedings Volume 0838, Fiber Optic and Laser Sensors V; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.942524
Event: Cambridge Symposium on Fiber Optics and Integrated Optoelectronics, 1987, Cambridge, MA, United States

Abstract

Process control instrumentation is a large potential market for fiber optic sensors and particulary for fiber optic microswitches. Use of such devices brings a lot of advantages such as lighter cables, E.M. immunity, intrinsic security due to optical measurement, no grounding problems and so on. However, commercially available fiber optic microswitches exhibit high insertion losses as well as non optimal mechanical design. In fact, these drawbacks are due to operation principles which are based on a mobile shutter displaced between two fibers. The fiber optic microswitch we present here, has been specially designed for harsh environments (oil industry). The patented operation principle uses only one fiber placed in front of a retroreflecting material by the mean of a fiber optic connector. The use of this retroreflector material allows an important reduction of the position tolerances required in two fibers devices, as well as easier fabrication and potential mass production of the optical microswitch. Moreover, such a configuration yields good performances in term of reflection coefficient leading to large dynamic range and consequently large distances (up to 250 m) between the optical microswitch and its optoelectronic instrument. Optomechanical design of the microswitch as well as electronic design of the optoelectronic instrument will be examined and discussed.

Citation Download Citation

F. X. Desforges, L. B. Jeunhomme, Ph. Graindorge, and G. LeBoudec "Fiber Optic Microswitch For Industrial Use", Proc. SPIE 0838, Fiber Optic and Laser Sensors V, (23 March 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.942524

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available