Multiplexed optical fiber crack sensor
US8576392B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B11/16
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fiber crack detector that includes a plurality of FBG sensors positioned within one or more fibers that are operable to reflect a defined wavelength of an optical input beam. The crack detector includes a light source for generating the optical input beam that propagates down the optical fiber and interacts with the FBG sensors. A wavelength of the optical beam that is reflected by the FBG sensors is detected, and if a crack in the component damages the fiber between an FBG sensor and the detector circuit, where one or more of the reflected signals are not received, the detector knows that a crack has occurred. By strategically placing a plurality of the FBG sensors along the fiber, a crack that damages the fiber in multiple locations between multiple FBG sensors, or in multiple fibers, can provide an indication of the length of the crack.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.