Fiber optic position and shape sensing device and method relating thereto
First Claim
1. A fiber optic position and shape sensing device comprising:
- an optical fiber means for measuring position and shape, the optical fiber means comprising at least two fiber cores spaced apart wherein mode coupling between the fiber cores is minimized;
an array of fiber Bragg gratings disposed within each fiber core;
a broadband reference reflector positioned in an operable relationship to each fiber Bragg grating wherein an optical path length is established for each reflector/grating relationship; and
a frequency domain reflectometer positioned in an operable relationship to the optical fiber means.
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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. A broadband reference reflector is positioned in an operable relationship to each fiber Bragg grating wherein an optical path length is established for each reflector/grating relationship. 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 or shape of the object.
560 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fiber optic position and shape sensing device comprising:
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an optical fiber means for measuring position and shape, the optical fiber means comprising at least two fiber cores spaced apart wherein mode coupling between the fiber cores is minimized;
an array of fiber Bragg gratings disposed within each fiber core;
a broadband reference reflector positioned in an operable relationship to each fiber Bragg grating wherein an optical path length is established for each reflector/grating relationship; and
a frequency domain reflectometer positioned in an operable relationship to the optical fiber means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fiber optic method for determining the position and shape of an object, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an object;
b) providing a fiber optic position and shape sensing device comprising;
an optical fiber means for measuring position and shape, the optical fiber means comprising at least two fiber cores spaced apart wherein mode coupling between the fiber cores is minimized;
an array of fiber Bragg gratings disposed within each fiber core;
a broadband reference reflector positioned in an operable relationship to each fiber Bragg grating wherein an optical path length is established for each reflector/grating relationship; and
a frequency domain reflectometer positioned in an operable relationship to the optical fiber means;
c) affixing the fiber optic position and shape sensing device to the object;
d) measuring strain on the optical fiber;
e) correlating the strain measurements to local bend measurements;
f) integrating the local bend measurements to determine position or shape of the object. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification