Method and apparatus for determining the shape of a flexible body
US6256090A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B11/18
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fiber optic measurement system capable of greatly improving the cost, complexity, and efficiency with which flexible body shape estimates are made. The fiber optic shape measurement system uses Bragg grating sensor technology and time, spatial, and wavelength division multiplexing, to produce a plurality of strain measurements along one fiber path. Using a plurality of fibers, shape determination of the body and the tow cable can be made with minimal ambiguity. Also disclosed is a method to resolve the body shape based on strain-to-shape structural analysis. Possible applications include, but are not limited to, sensing the shape and position of flexible bodies, aid in improving the efficiency of existing acoustic surveying processing techniques, and related applications in geophysical prospecting.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.