Fiber optic position and shape sensing device and method relating thereto
US7781724B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/29319
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is directed toward a fiber optic position and shape sensing device and the method of use. The device comprises an optical fiber means. The optical fiber means comprises either at least two single core optical fibers or a multicore optical fiber having at least two fiber cores. In either case, the fiber cores are spaced apart such that mode coupling between the fiber cores is minimized. An array of fiber Bragg gratings are disposed within each fiber core and a frequency domain reflectometer is positioned in an operable relationship to the optical fiber means. In use, the device is affixed to an object. Strain on the optical fiber is measured and the strain measurements correlated to local bend measurements. Local bend measurements are integrated to determine position and/or shape of the object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.