System and method for measuring distances, displacement and mechanical actions

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided an optical transducer adapted to detect external mechanical actions acting on said transducer, said transducer comprising at least one sensing optical path (5) adapted to transmit at least one sensing optical signal (b') and to emit at least one sensing output electrical signal (d) along with at least one reference path (4) adapted to emit at least one output electrical reference signal (e). Moreover, at least one portion (5') of said at least one optical path (5) is adapted to be exposed to external mechanical actions, so that the transmission of said sensing optical signal (b') through said sensing optical path can be modified as a result of said mechanical actions, so that a phase shift between said sensing electrical signal (d) and said reference electrical signal (e) is generated. Furthermore, said at least one reference path (4) comprises phase shifting means (11) adapted to maintain the phase shift between said at least one output sensing electrical signal (d) and said at least one output reference electrical signal (e) at a constant value in absence of any mechanical action exerted on said at least one sensing optical path (5), resulting in the working point of the transducer being kept within a range centered o a predefined phase shift, thus allowing to improve the sensitivity pf the transducer.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the measurement of distance, displacement and force. In particular the invention relates to the measurement of displacement due to a mechanical force such as traction or compression and the associated force producing said displacement. In more detail, the invention relates to the measurement of displacement and force by using light sensors. Still further, the present invention relates to the measurement of displacement and force through the use of optical sensors and / or sensors comprising low cost fiber optic components. Finally, the present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for measuring distances, displacements and forces, said devices and systems comprising low cost light sensors and / or sensors. Background technique [0002] In recent years, considerable development work has been devoted to providing devices suitable for measuring and / or detecting mechanical forces and displacements in a very reliab...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, however, known light sensors have disadvantages and some of them are not as reliable as desired

Finally, the assembly and manufacture of many known light sensors is also rather cumbersome and therefore rather expensive

[0006] It is therefore desirable to provide a photosensor capable of overcoming the disadvantages of prior art photosensors such as low reliability, narrow application range, and high cost while maintaining satisfactory sensitivity.

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