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Abstract

A fiber optical system for sensing a physical displacement of a light reflecting surface, where the system includes at a first location, a sensor unit including light reflecting surfaces arranged and constructed for physical displacement as a function of a parameter to be measured; at least two fiber optic sensor elements located relative to the reflective surfaces where the spacing between the surfaces and each of the end of said optic sensor elements is used to determine a function of displacement of the surfaces in response to a measurement parameter; and an optical fiber delay line coupled to the fiber optic elements for delaying travel time of light relative to the respective fiber optic elements; and at a second location, a voltage controlled oscillator connected to at least one light source where a parameter of a light source is controlled by the voltage controlled oscillator; first and second photo detectors respectively for sensing light from a light source and from the reflective surfaces, and fiber optic line element means for coupling a light source at the second location to the delay line means at the first location for communication of light between a light source and the reflective surfaces and for communication of light to one of said photo detectors and further for coupling light reflected from said reflective surfaces to the other photo detector; and a phase comparator responsive to the first and second photo detectors for controlling the voltage controlled oscillator; and a recording device for detecting the displacement of the reflective surfaces as a function of the control of said voltage controlled oscillator.

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First Claim