Modular sensor for damage detection, manufacturing method, and structural composite material
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A modular sensor for damage detection comprising:
- an optical fiber including an FBG sensor;
two connectors connected to both end portions of the optical fiber;
two reinforcing tubes to cover both end portions of the optical fiber, anda tube to partly cover the optical fiber,wherein the optical fiber movably penetrates the tube and the tube is movable between the two reinforcing tubes.
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Abstract
A modular sensor for damage detection with an optical fiber (FBG sensor) to detect a damage of a composite material, having a high level of visibility and manageability, and its manufacturing method is described. A structural composite material embedded with this modular sensor for damage detection is also described.
31 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A modular sensor for damage detection comprising:
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an optical fiber including an FBG sensor; two connectors connected to both end portions of the optical fiber; two reinforcing tubes to cover both end portions of the optical fiber, and a tube to partly cover the optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber movably penetrates the tube and the tube is movable between the two reinforcing tubes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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5. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a modular sensor for damage detection, comprising:
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a tubular member preparing step to prepare a tubular member, provided with an inner diameter which is slightly larger at a center portion and fully larger at both ends than an outer diameter of a tube and which inner diameter increases gradually from the center portion of said tubular member to both ends of the tubular member; a tube insertion step to insert one end portion of the tube into the tubular member through a first end of the tubular and restrict a movement of the tube in a diameter direction by placing the end portion in a vicinity of the center portion; an optical fiber insertion step to insert an optical fiber into the tubular member through a second end of the tubular member, and then into the end portion of the tube; a tubular member removal step to remove the tubular member from the tube and the optical fiber; and a connector fixing step to fix the connector to an end portion of the optical fiber.
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12. A modular sensor for damage detection comprising:
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an optical fiber including a FBG sensor; and a film covering a portion of the optical fiber, wherein the film is arranged in a position at a distance from the FBG sensor and is structured so that the film gradually narrows in width from a center portion of the film towards both boundaries with the optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a structural composite material for damage detection, comprising:
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a connecting step for connecting a connector to an optical fiber including an FBG sensor, wherein said connector is made of a heat resistant material which tolerates heat applied when the structural composite material which a modular sensor including the connector and the optical fiber embedded therein is under hot forming; an embedding step for embedding the modular sensor into the structural composite material; and a hot forming step for forming the composite material with heat and pressure after the connecting step. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification