Bridge Safety Monitoring Integrated System with Full Optical Fiber and the Method for Sensing Thereof

• US 20140002275A1
• Filed: 01/16/2013
• Published: 01/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories (Government of The Republic of China)
• Original Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories (Government of The Republic of China)
• Inventors: Lee, Zheng-Kuan
• Granted Patent: US 9,183,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/18 using photoelastic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/00 Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0007 for discrete indicating and measuring G01F23/02 - G01F23/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2921 for discrete levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/242 the material being an optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0008 of bridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0041 by determining deflection or stress
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0091 by using electromagnetic excitation or detection
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/022 using mechanical stress, e.g. tuning by compression or elongation, special geometrical shapes such as "dog-bone" or taper G02B6/02204 takes precedence; optical modulation using photo-elastic effect G02F1/0131
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/00 Electric signal transmission systems G08C17/00 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides an integrated system of full optical complete bridge safety monitoring with speech warming for smart phones. The Integrated system of full optical complete bridge safety monitoring includes a stabilizing device, optical sensing device and communication device. The basic structure involves cable and optical fiber connecting two ends and joined by heat shrink tubes. A measuring segment is located between two heat shrink tubes. The stabilizing device provides a pre-determined tensile strength to the measuring segment. The optical fiber sensing device detects a response via a Fiber Bragg grating in the optical fiber'"'"'s measuring segment. When the measuring segment receives a response, it changes from first phase to second phase and creates a signal change from the reflected signals. Signal processing device converts the signal changes to physical parameters. The communication device sends warning signals to users. Warning signals are sent to users'"'"' smart phones, to proactively inform the bridge'"'"'s safety status with speeches.

Claims

1. A sensing method including the following steps:

(a) providing a stabilizing device, an optical fiber sensing device, an optical device, and a signal processing device;

(b) providing an optical fiber, two heat shrinkable tubes, a cable in said optical fiber sensing device, and at least one measuring device is made in at least one of the plurality of measuring segments in said optical fiber cabling;

wherein the two ends of said cable and the ends of said optical fibers cables are joined by said heat shrinking tubes;

the said measuring segments are located in said heat shrinking tubes; and

one end of said cable is linked to said stabilizing device, and a securing end is composed opposite to said stabilizing device;

(c) connecting said optical device to one end of said optical fiber sensing device;

wherein said optical device emits an optical signal into said optical fiber, and receives the reflected signal from said measuring segment;

(d) coupling said signal processing device with said optical device;

(e) connecting one end of said stabilizing device to the other end of said optical fiber sensing device, to provide said measuring segment a pre-determined tensile strength and maintain said measuring segment in a first status;

(f) applying a force to said measuring segment to make said measuring segment change to the second status;

the said reflected signal produces a signal change during the said measuring segment changes to second status,; and

(g) said signal processing device converts said signal change into physical parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said measuring device is a Fiber Bragg grating.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said stabilizing device is a floating device or a styrofoam;

the other end of said stabilizing device is connected to said cable of said optical fiber sensing device; and

the measuring segment of said optical fiber receives said pre-determined tensile strength and maintains thereof in the first status.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the integrated full optical fiber complete bridge safety monitoring system further provides a communication device;

the said communication device is connected to said signal processing device; and

the said signal processing device controls said communication device to transmit a warning signal when said reflected signal produces a signal change.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said communication device transmits said warning signals via a wired or wireless network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said warning signals are delivered to a user in the form of SMS (Short Text Messages), emails, voice mails or the combination thereof.

7. An integrated full optical fiber complete bridge safety monitoring system, for measuring a physical parameter, comprising:

a stabilizing device;

an optical fiber sensing device, comprising

an optical fiber;

two heat shrinking tubes that shrink when being heated;

a cable, wherein each side of said cable is coupled with a said heat shrinking tube (having two sides coupled with said heat shrinking tubes respectively) and connecting corresponding optical fibers;

at least one measuring segmentcomposed in said heat shrink tube, and in said optical fiber, one end of said cable is coupled with said stabilizing device and the other opposite to the said stabilizing device is a secured end; and

a measuring device located in said measuring segment of said optical fiber;

an optical device located in one end of said optical fiber sensing device, said optical device emits an optical signal into said optical fiber and receives reflected signals from said measuring segment; and

a signal processing device coupled with said optical device;

wherein one end of said stabilizing device is connected to one end of said optical sensing device to provide a pre-determined tensile strength to said measuring segment when said measuring segment is in the first status, said measuring segment is in a second status when a force is applied to said measuring segment, and when a reflected signal is generated, then said signal processing device converts said reflected signal into said physical parameters.

8. The system of said claim 7, wherein said measuring device is a Fiber Bragg grating.

9. The system of said claim 7, wherein said stabilizing device is a floating device or a styrofoam, the other end of said stabilizing device is connected to said cable of said optical fiber sensing device, said stabilizing device provides a buoyant force to said cable, said measuring segment of said optical fiber receives said pre-determined tensile strength, so that said measuring segment is in said first status.

10. The system of said claim 7, further includes a pipe for covering said optical fiber and said measuring segment to spread said strain to said measuring segment of said optical fiber sensing device.

11. The system of said claim 7, wherein said stabilizing device is a counterweight or a block of lead;

the other end of said stabilizing device is coupled with said cable of said optical fiber sensing device;

said stabilizing device provides a gravity to said cable, said measuring segment of said optical fiber; and

said measuring segment of said fiber receive said pre-determined tensile strength, so that said measuring segment maintains thereof in said first status.

12. The system of said claim 7, wherein said stabilizing device is a cushioning device or a spring, the other end of said stable device is coupled with an object.

13. The system of said claim 7, wherein said physical parameter includes a distance, a vibrating frequency, a level height, a height difference, and a weight.

14. The system of said claim 7, further includes a communication device coupled with said signal processing device, said signal processing device controlled said communication device to send a warning signal, when said reflected signal generates said signal changes.

15. The system of said claim 14, wherein said communication device transmit said warning signal via a wired or wireless network.

16. The system of said claim 14, wherein said warning signals are sent to a user in the form of messages, emails, voice mails or the combination thereof.