Fiber Bragg grating systems and methods for moisture detection
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for detecting moisture, the apparatus comprising:
- a moisture sensor that comprisesa water swellable bead that swells when absorbing a liquid;
a sensor housing for the water swellable bead, wherein the sensor housing provides a top portion and a bottom portion, and the sensor housing provides at least one opening;
a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) cable, wherein the FBG cable is positioned in the sensor housing in contact with the water swellable bead; and
a retaining mechanism securing the water swellable bead in the sensor housing.
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Abstract
A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor for detecting moisture may include a sensor housing, FBG cable, water-swellable bead(s), and retaining mechanism. The housing secures the FBG cable and water-swellable bead. The retaining mechanism, such as one or more wire(s), placed adjacent to the FBG cable may be utilized to minimize lateral displacement of the water-swellable bead(s). The water-swellable bead(s) may swell as they absorb water, thereby causing the FBG to be strained to allow the detection of liquid moisture.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting moisture, the apparatus comprising:
a moisture sensor that comprises a water swellable bead that swells when absorbing a liquid; a sensor housing for the water swellable bead, wherein the sensor housing provides a top portion and a bottom portion, and the sensor housing provides at least one opening; a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) cable, wherein the FBG cable is positioned in the sensor housing in contact with the water swellable bead; and a retaining mechanism securing the water swellable bead in the sensor housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for forming a sensor for detecting moisture, the method comprising:
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fabricating a sensor housing, wherein the sensor housing provides a top portion and a bottom portion, and the sensor housing provides at least one opening; placing a water swellable bead in the bottom portion of the sensor housing, wherein the water swellable bead swells when absorbing a liquid; placing a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) cable in the sensor housing, wherein the FBG cable is in contact with the water swellable bead; securing the water swellable bead in the sensor housing with a retaining mechanism; and securing the top portion to the bottom portion of the sensor housing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification