Patent · US Active

Fiber optic strain gage and carrier

US7856888B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
37References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 15, 2007
Grant dateDec 28, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01M11/085
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The current invention relates to optical gages designed to measure strain on the surface of a test specimen. The gages of this invention is designed to be installed and used in a manner similar to conventional electronic foil strain gages, but to have the advantages of an all-optical gage. The gage of this invention is constructed to allow surface strain on the test specimen to be transferred to a length of optical fiber containing a fiber Bragg grating (FBG). As strain is applied to the fiber, the optical spectrum center wavelength reflected by the Bragg grating shifts in wavelength. This shift in wavelength can be converted directly to units of strain. The current invention provides a gage carrier design for use with fiber optic strain sensors comprising one or more FBGs which provide the benefits of a carrier for ease of handling and mounting without degrading gage performance. The gage carrier provides features that allow the FBG to be precisely positioned and securely bonded to the test specimen in a controlled manner. The carrier additionally provides fiber protection to the installed FBG.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.