David W Christian

US Patent:

43547354, Oct 19, 1982

Filed:

Dec 26, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/106761

Inventors:

David W. Stowe - Buffalo Grove IL
John D. Christian - late of Warrenville IL
Albert Christian - Indianapolis IN
Martha R. Christian - Indianapolis IN
Ann L. Ziegler - Danville IN
David A. Christian - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Gould Inc. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

G02B 5172

US Classification:

350 9629

Abstract:

A transducer (14) including an optical fiber core (15) having a first refractive index profile, and an optical cladding (16) encircling the core and having a second refractive index profile different from that of the profile of the optical core. At least one of the core and cladding is formed of a photoresponsive material providing a variable difference between the refractive indices of the core and cladding as a function of a physical effect applied to the transducer. Light may be propagated through the core from a suitable light source (18) and the light which is lost from the core to the cladding may be detected by a suitable detector (22,23) providing an output signal corresponding to the force applied to the transducer. In one form, the detector receives light from the end (21) of the transducer, and in another form, the detector (23) receives light through the outer surface (24) of the transducer.