Method for the continuous production of optical fibre waveguide sensors mounted in a perforated metal hollow profile

US11561358B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NEXANS · FR

Inventors

• Ralf Egerer · Seesen, DE
• Steven Dinkel · Hannover, DE
• Nico Lange · Erfurt, DE
• Olaf Petersen · Hannover, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 4, 2020
• Grant date: Jan 24, 2023
• Expiry date: Apr 21, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/4484
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for the continuous production of a thin-walled, perforated metal hollow profile with one or more fibre waveguides mounted therein. The method includes supplying of a flat metal strip at a first supply rate to a deforming device, which continuously deforms the metal strip into a metal hollow profile with a slot running in a longitudinal direction. Two opposite edges of the metal strip deformed into the metal hollow profile that lie flush against one another in a contact region extending in the longitudinal direction of the metal hollow profile are continuously welded to one another, drawn off from the welding region and perforated. The method further includes positioning a protective tube reaching into the welded metal hollow profile on the draw-off side to beyond the perforation point and supplying one or more fibre waveguides from one or more fibre unwinders via the protective tube, such that the fibre waveguide or waveguides are introduced into the perforated metal hollow profile from the guide or protective tube downstream of the perforation point in the drawing-off direction. The perforated metal hollow profile with the fibre waveguide or fibre waveguides mounted there…