SENSOR ARRAY
First Claim
1. An optical fibre strain sensor array having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the array comprising:
- a plurality of sensor support panels spaced in the longitudinal direction and having a width in the transverse direction;
at least one connecting member extending in the longitudinal direction and having a width in the transverse direction, the connecting member(s) mechanically interconnecting the sensor support panels;
an optical fibre supported by the sensor support panels and the connecting member, wherein the optical fibre extends with the connecting member between the sensor support panels and forms a curve on the sensor support panel, the curve including at least one portion of the optical fibre that extends in the transverse direction; and
the width of the connecting member is substantially less than the width of the sensor support panels, whereby the connecting member is capable of flexure in the transverse direction.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical fibre strain sensor array comprises several sensor support panels spaced in its longitudinal direction and at least one connecting member extending in the longitudinal direction, which mechanically interconnects the sensor support panels. An optical fibre is supported by the sensor support panels and the connecting member. The optical fibre extends with the connecting member between the sensor support panels and forms a curve on the sensor support panel, the curve including at least one portion of the optical fibre that extends in the transverse direction. The width of the connecting member is substantially less than the width of the sensor support panels, such that the connecting member is capable of flexure in the transverse direction. This has the advantage that the connecting member can be flexed to take up any slack during installation of the optical fibre strain sensor array in a wind turbine blade and can be fitted to the turbine blade even if the blade has a conical shape.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An optical fibre strain sensor array having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the array comprising:
- a plurality of sensor support panels spaced in the longitudinal direction and having a width in the transverse direction;
at least one connecting member extending in the longitudinal direction and having a width in the transverse direction, the connecting member(s) mechanically interconnecting the sensor support panels; an optical fibre supported by the sensor support panels and the connecting member, wherein the optical fibre extends with the connecting member between the sensor support panels and forms a curve on the sensor support panel, the curve including at least one portion of the optical fibre that extends in the transverse direction; and the width of the connecting member is substantially less than the width of the sensor support panels, whereby the connecting member is capable of flexure in the transverse direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a plurality of sensor support panels spaced in the longitudinal direction and having a width in the transverse direction;
Specification