Abstract: Light from a light source (10) is transmitted along an optical fiber (12) through a sensor (14) to opto-electronics (16). The sensor includes a cantilevered beam (20) that flexes in response to acceleration causing its free end (26) to move. Light from the optical fiber (12) is transmitted along an optical fiber to a terminal end (30) thereof and across a gap (34). Light transmitted across the gap is returned to the optical fiber by a mirror (FIG. 2 ) or received by a free end (36) of a second optical fiber (FIG. 1) and conveyed to the opto-electronics. The beam member is configured with an appropriate stiffness that under acceleration, the beam flexes moving its free end sufficiently to change measurably through transmission of light across the gap to the opto-electronics.

Abstract: An optical fiber (12) extends from a light source (10) along a beam (16) of a sensor (18). The optical fiber terminates in a free end adjacent a free end of the beam and generally opposite to a fixed free end of a target, such as a second optical fiber (20). Light is transmitted across a gap between the first and second optical fibers in accordance with the degree of alignment thereof. The beam (16) has at least two portions (38, 40) extending longitudinally therealong. Each of the beam portions is constructed of a material that changes longitudinal dimension to a different degree than the other in response to the sensed condition. In this manner, the sensed condition causes the beam to bend, altering the degree of alignment between the optical fiber free ends in response to the sensed condition.

Abstract: Light from source (10) is transmitted along an optical fiber (12) to a free end (20). Light emitted from the optical fiber free end is transmitted to a target (22), such as the free end of a second optical fiber (16). An opto-electric transducer (18) provides an output that varies in accordance with the intensity of received light. Relative alignment between the optical fiber free end and the target is controlled by movement of a cantilever beam member (30). The cantilever beam member is a strip of ferromagnetic material (40) extending therealong. A second elongated ferromagnetic strip (42) is mounted closely adjacent but spaced from a free end (36) of the cantilever beam member defining a flux gap (44) therebetween. As magnetic flux flows through the ferromagnetic strips, the beam member free end is deflected in proportion to the strength of the magnetic field.