Method and apparatus for detecting wear
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for detecting wear along the surfaces of an elongated article, said apparatus comprising:
- an optical fiber disposed at a predetermined depth and at a location within the article where wear is to be detected, said optical fiber being helically-shaped and including an input end and an output end, said input and output ends being disposed so as to be accessible by a system user;
means for emitting electromagnetic radiation, said emitting means disposed so as to be able to inject radiation into said input end of said optical fiber; and
means for detecting electromagnetic radiation, said detecting means disposed so as to be able to detect radiation emitted at said output end of said optical fiber.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting wear of an article is described. In one embodiment, an optical fiber is wrapped helically around and between inner and outer surfaces of the article, such as a conduit. Increased transmission losses through the fiber are detected to indicate exposure and/or wear of the fiber, thereby indicating wear of the article.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting wear along the surfaces of an elongated article, said apparatus comprising:
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an optical fiber disposed at a predetermined depth and at a location within the article where wear is to be detected, said optical fiber being helically-shaped and including an input end and an output end, said input and output ends being disposed so as to be accessible by a system user; means for emitting electromagnetic radiation, said emitting means disposed so as to be able to inject radiation into said input end of said optical fiber; and means for detecting electromagnetic radiation, said detecting means disposed so as to be able to detect radiation emitted at said output end of said optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for detecting wear of a fluid-carrying conduit having inner and outer surfaces, said apparatus comprising:
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an optical fiber disposed between said inner and outer surfaces and at a predetermined depth, said optical fiber being helically-shaped and including an input end and an output end disposed so as to be accessible by a system user; means for emitting electromagnetic radiation disposed so as to be able to inject radiation into said input end of said optical fiber; and means for detecting electromagnetic radiation disposed so as to detect radiation emitted at said output end of said optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification