US 12,342,989 B2
Optical fiber sensor system
Brian Dale Laughlin, Wichita, KS (US); Dane Brian Laughlin, Wichita, KS (US); and Madison Lauryn Laughlin, Wichita, KS (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on May 31, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/428,132.
Prior Publication US 2020/0375438 A1, Dec. 3, 2020
Int. Cl. A61B 1/04 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/95 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/041 (2013.01) [A61B 5/42 (2013.01); G01N 21/9508 (2013.01)] 39 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical sensor system comprising:
an optical sensor, the optical sensor comprising:
a capsule;
an optical fiber stored within the capsule, wherein a distal end of the optical fiber extends from the capsule and is anchored at a distal end location of a tube system, the optical fiber unfurls from the capsule as the optical sensor travels through the tube system;
an optical system in the capsule, wherein the optical system is connected to a proximal end of the optical fiber and sends optical signals through the optical fiber and detects response optical signals occurring in response to the optical signals sent through the optical fiber; and
a transmitter in the capsule and in communication with the optical system, wherein the transmitter transmits sensor data based on the response optical signals detected by the optical system.