Helical optical fiber strain sensor
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for sensing strain in concrete structures such as buildings, foundations and dams due to compression and tension (bending moment) comprising:
- a. a helical optical fiber embedded in concrete having two ends placed so as to come to the surface of the concrete containing at least two loops bent to the critical bending radius;
b. a light source connected by a first optical extension to one end of the optical fiber for directing a light signal into the optical fiber;
c. a light detector which generates a signal indicative of the properties of the light (wavelength, phase, intensity and modes of propagation) connected by a second fiber extension to the other end of the fiber for detecting the light signal after it has traversed the optical fiber and producing a signal output of the light detector to an information processor whereby the strain of the concrete is computed and displayed by the information processor from the signal output of the light detector.
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Abstract
Strain in concrete is sensed by a helical optical fiber embedded in the concrete and connected at one end to an external light source, and at the other end to a light detector, providing a signal output to an information processor, which provides a display of the strain in the concrete.
22 Citations
5 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sensing strain in concrete structures such as buildings, foundations and dams due to compression and tension (bending moment) comprising:
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a. a helical optical fiber embedded in concrete having two ends placed so as to come to the surface of the concrete containing at least two loops bent to the critical bending radius; b. a light source connected by a first optical extension to one end of the optical fiber for directing a light signal into the optical fiber; c. a light detector which generates a signal indicative of the properties of the light (wavelength, phase, intensity and modes of propagation) connected by a second fiber extension to the other end of the fiber for detecting the light signal after it has traversed the optical fiber and producing a signal output of the light detector to an information processor whereby the strain of the concrete is computed and displayed by the information processor from the signal output of the light detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification