IP Library Granted Patent US 9,366,586
Granted Patent B2
US 9,366,586 · App. 14/208,811 · Granted Jun 14, 2016

High temperature uncooled optical probe

Inventors: Eli Cole Warren (Wethersfield, CT); Benjamin D. Cyr (Vernon, CT)
Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
G01L1/242
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,366,586
App. No.
14/208,811
Granted
Jun 14, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical probe includes a first end, a second end, an outer housing, an inner housing concentric with the outer housing, flow holes within the inner housing at the first end, and an optics holder within the inner housing between the flow holes and the second end. The optical probe further includes high temperature optical lenses inside the optics holder between the flow holes and the second end, fiber holders inside the optics holder between the high temperature optical lenses and the second end, optical fibers coated in a high temperature material extending from inside fiber holders towards the second end, and a high temperature adhesive for securing the optical fibers, the fiber holders, and the high temperature optical lenses.

Claims (34)

1. An optical probe comprising:

a first end;

a second end;

an outer housing;

an inner housing concentric with the outer housing;

a plurality of flow holes within the inner housing at the first end;

an optics holder having a low coefficient of thermal expansion within the inner housing between the plurality of flow holes and the second end;

a plurality of high temperature optical lenses inside the optics holder between the plurality of flow holes and the second end;

a plurality of fiber holders having a low coefficient of thermal expansion inside the optics holder between the plurality of high temperature optical lenses and the second end;

a plurality of optical fibers extending from inside the plurality of fiber holders towards the second end and coated in gold or copper to allow the optical fibers to withstand temperatures of up to at least 1120 degrees Fahrenheit; and

a high temperature adhesive capable of withstanding up to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit for securing the plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of fiber holders, and the plurality of high temperature optical lenses, so that the optical probe can withstand temperatures of up to 1120 degrees Fahrenheit;

wherein the plurality of flow holes are configured to expel gaseous nitrogen across an outer surface of the high temperature optical lenses.

2. The optical probe of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of high temperature optical lenses are convex.

3. The optical probe of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of high temperature optical lenses comprise silica or sapphire.

4. The optical probe of claim 1 , wherein the optics holder comprises Incoloy®, Haynes® 242®, or Waspaloy®.

5. The optical probe of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fiber holders comprise Incoloy®, Haynes® 242®, or Waspaloy®.

6. An optical probe comprising:

a first end;

a second end;

a housing;

a protector disk within the housing at the first end;

an optics holder within the housing between the protector disk and the second end;

a plurality of high temperature optical lenses inside the optics holder between the protector disk and the second end;

a plurality of fiber holders inside the optics holder between the plurality of high temperature optical lenses and the second end;

a plurality of optical fibers coated in a high temperature material extending from inside the plurality of fiber holders towards the second end; and

a high temperature adhesive for securing the plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of fiber holders, and the plurality of high temperature optical lenses, so that the optical probe can withstand temperatures of up to 1120 degrees Fahrenheit without circulation of a cooling fluid within the housing.

7. The optical probe of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of optical fibers are coated in gold or copper.

8. The optical probe of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of high temperature optical lenses are convex.

9. The optical probe of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of high temperature optical lenses comprise silica or sapphire.

10. The optical probe of claim 6 , wherein the optics holder and the plurality of fiber holders comprise an alloy with a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

11. The optical probe of claim 10 , wherein the optics holder comprises Incoloy®, Haynes® 242®, or Waspaloy®.

12. The optical probe of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fiber holders comprise Incoloy®, Haynes® 242®, or Waspaloy®.

13. The optical probe of claim 6 , wherein the high temperature adhesive can withstand temperatures of up to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit.

14. The optical probe of claim 6 , wherein the protector disk prevents debris from accumulating on the plurality of high temperature optical lenses.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064714/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE AND REMOVE PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 11886281 AND ADD PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 14846874. TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054062 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Recorded Mar 4, 2021
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055659/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 4, 2020
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054062/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: WARREN, ELI COLE; CYR, BENJAMIN D.
To: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032430/0733 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61781444 · Mar 14, 2013
Related Publication 20140270625A1 · Sep 18, 2014