Water penetration-detecting apparatus and optical fiber cable using same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A water penetration-detecting apparatus comprising:
- (a) an optical fiber sensor comprising (i) an optical fiber, and (ii) a water-absorbent material disposed along said optical fiber in contiguous relation to said fiber, said water-absorbent material, when absorbing water, expanding volumetrically so as to apply a pressure to an outer peripheral surface of said optical fiber to bend said fiber; and
(b) a detecting means for detecting a bending of said optical fiber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A water penetration-detecting apparatus includes an optical fiber sensor having an optical fiber, and a water-absorbent material disposed along the optical fiber in contiguous relation to the fiber. The water-absorbent material, when absorbing water, expands volumetrically so as to apply a pressure to an outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber to bend the fiber. A detecting means is connected to the optical fiber sensor for detecting a bending of the optical fiber.
41 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A water penetration-detecting apparatus comprising:
-
(a) an optical fiber sensor comprising (i) an optical fiber, and (ii) a water-absorbent material disposed along said optical fiber in contiguous relation to said fiber, said water-absorbent material, when absorbing water, expanding volumetrically so as to apply a pressure to an outer peripheral surface of said optical fiber to bend said fiber; and (b) a detecting means for detecting a bending of said optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An optical fiber cable comprising:
-
(a) a sheath; (b) a plurality of communication optical fibers mounted within said sheath; (c) an optical fiber sensor mounted within said sheath and comprising (i) an optical fiber, and (ii) a water-absorbent material disposed along said optical fiber of said sensor in contiguous relation thereto, said water-absorbent material, when absorbing water, expanding volumetrically so as to apply a pressure to an outer peripheral surface of said optical fiber of said sensor to bend said fiber, said optical fiber sensor being adapted to be connected to a detecting means for detecting a bending of said optical fiber of said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (15)
-
Specification