Means to detect damage in composite material panels
US8964172B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2010 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M11/3136
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present disclosure describes an apparatus including a composite panel. The apparatus includes a first composite panel including a first optical fiber embedded therein, the first optical fiber being arranged in a pattern, and a first input port connected to a first end of the first optical fiber, the first input port configured to receive an optical signal from an optical time domain reflectometer. The optical time domain reflectometer is configured to send the optical signal through the first input port and measure a strength of a reflected optical signal that is reflected back from the first optical fiber, wherein the strength indicates a measured optical impedance of the first optical fiber. A measured optical impedance that is substantially the same as a baseline optical impedance for the fiber indicates no damage, while a measured optical impedance that differs from the baseline optical impedance by a predetermined threshold indicates damage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.