Patents by Inventor Elaine M. O'Brien

Elaine M. O'Brien has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fiberoptic coupler sensor and a measurement method
    Patent number: 6677576
    Abstract: Sensors and sensing apparatus are described, based on fused tapered fiber optic couplers with the taper waist portion formed into a loop or cleaved to provide a reflecting end. Light is typically input to the taper waist portion along a single input fiber, and bending of the loop or cleaved taper waist portion causes changes in the coupling ratio between the output fibers. The taper waist portion may be formed into a loop with a small bend radius without loss, and sensors embodying the claimed invention are particularly suitable for in-vivo measurement of pressure, the taper waist portions advantageously being arranged in contact with a membrane which deflects according to surrounding pressure. Further embodiments are described which are suitable for measurement of fluid flow velocity and/or acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: European Community represented by Commission of the European Communities
    Inventors: Robert P. Kenny, Maurice P. Whelan, Alfredo C. Lucia, Conleth D. Hussey, Paul F. O'Sullivan, Elaine M. O'Brien