Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
073800000 | Optical | 77 |
20080196508 | Lift measurement - A method of determining the lift generated by a lift-generating member, the lift-generating member being coupled to a component within the lift load path with the lift load path component experiencing strain as a result of the lift generated by the lift-generating member; characterised in that the method comprises the steps of:
| 08-21-2008 |
20080236294 | MATERIAL FAILURE PREDICTION/STRESS/STRAIN DETECTION METHOD AND SYSTEM USING DEFORMATION LUMINESCENCE - A method and apparatus are provided for detecting strain, stress, fatigue and incipient failure in materials. A detector (e.g., a photomultiplier tube) is used to detect photonic emissions from a material under test. Data based on the detected photonic emissions is displayed in real time so as to enable real time analysis of the data in determining strain, stress, fatigue and/or incipient failure. | 10-02-2008 |
20090019940 | Load detecting sensor and collision detecting sensor using the same - A load detecting sensor includes a first member, a second member, and an optical fiber. The first member has a groove having a bottom portion and a column portion which defines the groove. The second member covers the groove of the first member so that a surrounded space is formed. The optical fiber is arranged in the surrounded space. At least one of the first member and the second member is made of an elastic body. The surrounded space is deformable when load is applied to at least one of the first and the second members. When load is applied to at least one of the first and the second members, the deformation of the optical fiber is caused following the deformation of the surrounded space. Hereby, the load detecting sensor, which can decrease the manufacturing cost and increase the detecting sensitivity by the optical fiber, can be obtained. | 01-22-2009 |
20090114033 | Stress History Recording System - Provided is a stress history recording system for recording a stress history, which includes a light emitting means including a stress-stimulated luminescent material that emits light in response to a mechanical external force, and a recording means for recording a history of a photoreaction generated due to light emission from the light emitting means. This achieves a technology for recording a stress history by using the stress-stimulated luminescent material. | 05-07-2009 |
20090126501 | FIBER OPTIC STRAIN GAGE AND CARRIER - The current invention relates to optical gages designed to measure strain on the surface of a test specimen. The gages of this invention is designed to be installed and used in a manner similar to conventional electronic foil strain gages, but to have the advantages of an all-optical gage. The gage of this invention is constructed to allow surface strain on the test specimen to be transferred to a length of optical fiber containing a fiber Bragg grating (FBG). As strain is applied to the fiber, the optical spectrum center wavelength reflected by the Bragg grating shifts in wavelength. This shift in wavelength can be converted directly to units of strain. The current invention provides a gage carrier design for use with fiber optic strain sensors comprising one or more FBGs which provide the benefits of a carrier for ease of handling and mounting without degrading gage performance. The gage carrier provides features that allow the FBG to be precisely positioned and securely bonded to the test specimen in a controlled manner. The carrier additionally provides fiber protection to the installed FBG. | 05-21-2009 |
20090133505 | Shear stress measurement apparatus - A shear stress sensor for measuring the shear force of a fluid flowing along a wall. A floating member, flush with the wall, senses a shear force of the flowing fluid. The floating member is mounted by support means to a base element that is placed in the wall, so that the floating member is flush with the wall and a shear force, sensed by the floating member, is translated via the support means to a micro-resonator. The force acting on the micro-resonator changes the shape and the refractive index of the micro-resonator, thereby changing the resonant frequency of the micro-resonator and causing a shift in the spectrum of wavelengths of light that is introduced to the micro-resonator. This shift in the spectrum of wavelengths is representative of the shear force of the flowing fluid. | 05-28-2009 |
20090193906 | COMPOSITE FIBRE AND RELATED DETECTION SYSTEM - This invention relates to a composite fibre including at least a first and second component, wherein at least one of the components is an optical fiber, and the components are intertwined. | 08-06-2009 |
20090217769 | STRUCTURAL MONITORING - Apparatus ( | 09-03-2009 |
20090282928 | Load Cell And System For Measuring Forces Based on Optical Spectra Shifts - A load cell having an optical micro-resonator in a housing formed of high thermally conductive material. Upon application of a force to a surface of the housing, the micro-resonator is squeezed and changes in shape and refractive index, thereby changing the resonant frequency of the micro-resonator and causing a shift in the spectrum of wavelengths of light that is introduced to the micro-resonator. This shift in the spectrum of wavelengths is representative of the force applied to the housing of the load cell. | 11-19-2009 |
20100018321 | NSMS flight laser detector system - A method includes rotating a rotor, measuring a rotor rotational time for the rotor to complete a revolution, determining a blade interval by dividing the rotor rotational time by a number of blades carried on the rotor, establishing an active hold-off time interval as a percentage of the blade interval time, directing a beam of light at the blades of the rotor using a laser, sensing light reflected from the blades, generating an output signal as a function of the sensed light, establishing a signal amplitude threshold, analyzing an amplitude of the output signal to trigger the active hold-off time interval when the amplitude reaches the signal amplitude threshold, and generating a blade arrival signal as a function of triggered active hold-off time intervals. The output signal is not analyzed within each active hold-off time interval. | 01-28-2010 |
20100037700 | LIFTING MEMBER WITH LOAD AND/OR STRESS MEASURING MEANS - A lifting member transmits all or part of the lifting force between a lifting appliance and a load to be lifted. The lifting member includes a proximal portion configured to be fixed to the lifting appliance; a distal portion designed to be connected to the load; a longitudinal section, extending from the proximal portion towards the distal portion, and capable of being elastically elongated under the action of part of the lifting force; a longitudinal channel extending from the proximal portion into the longitudinal section of the lifting member; a stress transducer, inserted into the longitudinal channel, and fixed to the side wall of the longitudinal channel; a link for transmitting optical fiber signals from the stress transducer to a device for receiving and analyzing optical fiber signals from the stress transducer. | 02-18-2010 |
20100058877 | Coated optical fibers - The invention relates to coated optical fibers comprising soft primary coatings and to such primary coatings for protecting glass optical fibers having a sufficient high resistance against cavitation. In particular, the primary coatings have a cavitation strength at which a tenth cavitation appears (σ | 03-11-2010 |
20100132477 | INTEGRATED DEVICE FOR MONITORING DEFORMATIONS OF AN ELECTRICALLY INSULATING PART AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ONE SUCH DEVICE - An integrated device for monitoring an electrically insulating part comprising an optic fiber in which at least one Bragg grating is formed, the electrically insulating part being made from a composite material with a thermosetting matrix, and the optic fiber comprising a mechanical protection sleeve made from polyimide material. | 06-03-2010 |
20100154557 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING ELECTROMECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF NANO-MATERIALS UNDER STRESS STATE - A device for measuring electromechanical properties and microstructure of nano-materials under stress state comprises two bimetallic strips placed on an insulated metal ring plated with insulating paint, wherein the two bimetallic strips are placed in parallel or V-shaped to insulated metal ring on the same plane, one end of each bimetallic strip is fixed on the insulated metal ring, the other end of the bimetallic strip hangs inside of the insulated ring, the distance of two bimetallic strips were controlled within 0.002-1 mm. Also provided is a method for measuring electromechanical properties and microstructure of nano-materials under stress state. | 06-24-2010 |
20100242619 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING STRAIN CAUSED ERRORS IN FIBER OPTIC SENSORS - An encapsulated fiber Bragg grating sensor is provided wherein the EFL of sensor as well as the coefficient of friction between the sensor and the encapsulating tubing is controlled to minimize measurement errors caused by tensile and compressive strains. A method of manufacturing such a sensor is also provided. | 09-30-2010 |
20100300209 | OPTICAL STRAIN GAUGE - The invention relates to a strain gauge, comprising at least one optical waveguide ( | 12-02-2010 |
20100307256 | SENSORY TRANSDUCER AND METHOD - A transducer including a housing; one or more pressure communicating configurations disposed within the housing; one or more selected pressure chambers in operable communication with the one or more pressure communicating configurations; an environmental chamber in operable communication with one or more of the one or more pressure communicating configurations; and a strain member secured to one or more of the one or more pressure communicating configurations and method. | 12-09-2010 |
20100307257 | SENSOR ARRAY - An optical fibre strain sensor array comprises several sensor support panels spaced in its longitudinal direction and at least one connecting member extending in the longitudinal direction, which mechanically interconnects the sensor support panels. An optical fibre is supported by the sensor support panels and the connecting member. The optical fibre extends with the connecting member between the sensor support panels and forms a curve on the sensor support panel, the curve including at least one portion of the optical fibre that extends in the transverse direction. The width of the connecting member is substantially less than the width of the sensor support panels, such that the connecting member is capable of flexure in the transverse direction. This has the advantage that the connecting member can be flexed to take up any slack during installation of the optical fibre strain sensor array in a wind turbine blade and can be fitted to the turbine blade even if the blade has a conical shape. | 12-09-2010 |
20100313668 | FIBER STRAIN SENSOR AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR REPEATED LARGE DEFORMATION - A measurement system ( | 12-16-2010 |
20100326200 | Shear Stress Measurement Apparatus - A shear stress sensor for measuring the shear force of a fluid flowing along a wall. A floating member, flush with the wall, senses a shear force of the flowing fluid. The floating member is mounted by support means to a base element that is placed in the wall, so that the floating member is flush with the wall and a shear force, sensed by the floating member, is translated via the support means to a Fiber Bragg Grating. The force acting on the Fiber Bragg Grating changes the shape and the refractive index of the Fiber Bragg Grating, thereby changing the resonant frequency of the Fiber Bragg Grating and causing a shift in the spectrum of wavelengths of light that is introduced to the Fiber Bragg Grating. This shift in the spectrum of wavelengths is representative of the shear force of the flowing fluid. | 12-30-2010 |
20110154907 | Structural Deflection and Load Measuring Device - The present invention provides a structural deflection and load measuring device for mounting on an axle. The device includes at least one light beam emitting device connected to the axle and able to emit at least one light beam and at least one light position sensing device connected to the axle. The sensing device is located relative to the light beam emitting device for receiving at least one light beam from the light beam emitting device thereon and is operable to calculate the position of the light beam received on its surface. | 06-30-2011 |
20110214508 | MONITORING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF A WIND TURBINE BLADE - A method of monitoring the structural integrity of a wind turbine blade | 09-08-2011 |
20110247427 | STRAIN SENSING WITH OPTICAL FIBER ROSETTES - One or more mechanical parameters of a structure subjected to a force or condition are measured using distributed, optical fiber sensing technology. At least a curved portion an optical fiber having is attached to an object. A distributed, optically-based, strain sensing technique is used to determine strain information associated with multiple points along the curved portion of the fiber. The determined strain information is processed to generate one or more representations of one or more of the following: an expansion of the object, a thermal gradient associated with the object, or a stress-induced strain at multiple locations on the object corresponding to ones of the multiple points. An output is generated corresponding to the representation. | 10-13-2011 |
20110259115 | STRUCTURAL LOAD MONITORING USING COLLARS AND CONNECTING ELEMENTS WITH STRAIN SENSORS - A system and method for measuring loads on a pipe, including a pair of collars that can be secured around the outer surface of the pipe to be monitored in an axially spaced relationship; and a connecting element having a strain gauge is fixed to the collars such that when the collars are secured to the pipe, the connecting element is arranged to measure distortion of the pipe due to applied loads, wherein the ends of the connecting element are attached to the collars such that when the collars are secured to the pipe, the ends of the connecting element are fixed against axial and circumferential movement relative to the pipe. The system includes the apparatus mounted on a pipe, such as a flexible pipe, in a subsea oil or gas installation. | 10-27-2011 |
20110265578 | Local Stress Measurement - An optical metrology device determines the local stress in a film on a substrate. The metrology device maps the thickness of the substrate prior to processing. After processing, the metrology device determines the surface curvature of the substrate caused by the processing and maps the thickness of a film on the top surface after of the substrate after processing. The surface curvature of the substrate may be determined as basis functions. The local stress in the film is then determined using the mapped thickness of the substrate, the determined surface curvature, and the mapped thickness of the film. The local stress may be determined using Stoney's equation that is corrected for non-uniform substrate curvature, non-uniform film thickness, and non-uniform substrate thickness. | 11-03-2011 |
20120067134 | DISPLAY BENDER AND METHOD OF TESTING FLEXIBLE DISPLAY - Some embodiments include an apparatus for testing flexible displays. The apparatus can include: (a) a first clamp configured to receive a first end of the flexible display; (b) a second clamp configured to receive a second end of the flexible display, wherein the second end of the flexible display is opposite the first end of the flexible display; and (c) a test column. Other embodiments and methods are disclosed herein. | 03-22-2012 |
20120132008 | FIBER OPTIC LOAD MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A measurement device may include a loadable member that supports a load and measures the force created in the loadable member by the load. The loadable member may have an aperture and an optical fiber located within the aperture. The optical fiber may include one or more fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. | 05-31-2012 |
20120132009 | FIBER OPTIC SHAPE SENSOR - A shape sensing system to determine the position and orientation of one link with respect to another link in a kinematic chain. An optical fiber is coupled to two or more links in a kinematic chain. A shape sensing segment is defined to start at a proximal link and to end at a distal link, crossing one or more joints. A reference frame is defined at the start of the shape sensing segment. As the joints move, an interrogator senses strain in the shape sensing segment. The sensed strain is used to output a Cartesian position and orientation of the end of the shape sensing segment with respect to the reference frame defined at the start of the shape sensing segment. The pose of the kinematic chain is determined from the Cartesian positions and orientations of one or more shape sensing segments defined for the kinematic chain and from an a priori model and constraints of the kinematic chain. | 05-31-2012 |
20120160031 | OPTICAL TACTILE SENSORS - A sensor for sensing pressure is disclosed. The sensor may be a pressure sensor for sensing pressure, or a tactile sensor for sensing tactile events through pressure measurement. In one aspect, the sensor includes at least one pressure sensor having at least one VCSEL on a substrate. It further includes a compressible sensor layer covering a top surface of the at least one VCSEL, and a reflecting element covering a top surface of the sensor layer. A method of manufacturing such a sensor is also disclosed. | 06-28-2012 |
20120174683 | ELECTRIC CABLE WITH BENDING SENSOR AND MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING BENDING IN AT LEAST ONE ELECTRIC CABLE - A method for monitoring at least the bending strain of at least one electric cable provided with at least one peripheral mechanically non-symmetric strength member is provided. | 07-12-2012 |
20120186357 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING BY PENETROMETRY AN INTERFACE OR SURFACE TENSION OF AN INTERFACE BETWEEN TWO FLUIDS - A method is provided for measuring an interfacial tension (σ) for liquid-liquid interfaces or surface tension for liquid-gas interfaces. The method is characterised in that the measurement is carried out by the penetrometry of an interface between two fluids of a sample in a pipe comprising at least one window made of a transparent material, using a rod moving at constant speed orthogonally to the interface, a profile of the interface being deformed by the penetration of the rod and a series of images of the profile being captured in real time by an image-capturing system during the deformation and the crossing of the interface. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. | 07-26-2012 |
20120234101 | Pressure and Measurement by Means of An Optical Fiber - An optical fiber (FD) that can be used for measuring pressure is arranged as follows. The optical fiber (FD) comprises a core (CO) and a cladding (CL) surrounding and contacting the core (CO). A stress-applying arrangement (SE | 09-20-2012 |
20120272744 | FIBER OPTIC SENSOR BASED ON SPIRAL STRUCTURE - A fiber optic sensor based on spiral structure is a multi-loop spiral member formed by spring wire. A plurality of deformation teeth are continuously distributed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the spring wire in a longitudinal direction along the spring wire; in two adjacent loops of the spring wire, the deformation teeth on the lower surface of the upper loop of the spring wire and the deformation teeth on the upper surface of the lower loop of the spring wire correspond to each other in a staggered way. A signal optical fiber is clamped between the deformation teeth on the lower surface of the upper loop of the spring wire and the deformation teeth on the upper surface of the lower loop of the spring wire, and connected to a test unit by a transmission optical fiber. | 11-01-2012 |
20130036829 | OPTICAL SHEAR SENSOR AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SUCH AN OPTICAL SHEAR SENSOR - An optical shear sensor that includes a first and second outer surface at opposing sides and a sensing element is disclosed. In one aspect, the sensing element has an optoelectronic source for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength and having a source front surface where light exits the optoelectronic source, and a photodetector for detecting light of the predetermined wavelength and having a detector front surface where light of the optoelectronic source is received. The optoelectronic source is positioned along the first outer surface and emits light towards the second outer surface. A flexible sensing layer transparent to the predetermined wavelength covers the front surface of the optoelectronic source and the front surface of the photodetector. Upon application of a shear stress, the sensing layer deforms elastically and the outer surfaces are displaced along directions parallel to each other and the source front surface so the intensity of light detected by the photodetector changes. | 02-14-2013 |
20130036830 | TENSOMETRIC TRANSDUCER - The tensometric transducer comprises a load element which is fixed to an object to be monitored, and a piezo-optical transducer which converts the magnitude of the stresses on a photoelastic element into an electrical signal, wherein the load element is in the form of a plate having a thinned portion at the fixing point for the photoelastic element, which is fixed in the plate in a preloaded state is such a way that the action of the initial load force is realized in two mutually perpendicular to directions, and a conical opening is formed in the center of the plate, the axis of he opening lying in a plane perpendicular to the load axis, wherein the photoelastic element is in the form of a truncated cone, wherein the angels of the taper of the opening and of the taper of the photoelastic element coincide with one another and are equal to a Morse taper. | 02-14-2013 |
20130042696 | MATERIAL TESTING MACHINE - Provided is a material testing system provided with: an upper gripper | 02-21-2013 |
20130068034 | MICROMATERIAL STRAIN MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREFOR TECHINICAL FIELD - A measurement unit for tensile or compressive stress can includes a CCD camera for detecting an interference light, the interference light being formed with a measurement beam from a measured region and a reference beam from a reference mirror. A first objective lens can have the reference mirror. An image processing apparatus can measure the three-dimensional shape of the measured region from the position of the first objective lens at which the interference light provides the maximum contrast and can measure the distance between two gauge points on the basis of the three-dimensional shape. When strain is generated on a micromaterial, the strain against the measured tensile stress is measured on the basis of the tensile stress and the distance between the two gauge points. | 03-21-2013 |
20130091956 | SENSING ASSEMBLY - A sensing assembly including a fiber for monitoring at least one condition or parameter and a strip formed from a pair of laminae disposed with the fiber. The laminae are arranged parallel to each other and engaged longitudinally along the fiber for enabling the strip to secure the fiber in place. A method of monitoring a parameter or condition with a sensing assembly is also included. | 04-18-2013 |
20130091957 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STRUCTURE STIFFNESS DETERMINATION - In at least one implementation, a method for determining the stiffness of a structure may include connecting a test member to the structure, directing a beam of light at a measurement surface carried by at least one of the test member or the structure, impacting an impact surface carried by the test member with a known impact force, and determining the movement of the measurement surface that is caused by the impact. The movement of the measurement surface may be determined as a function of changes in the length of the beam of light and the stiffness of the structure may be a function of the magnitude of the measurement surface movement. | 04-18-2013 |
20130098164 | TRIBOLUMINESCENT OPTICAL FIBER SENSOR - A sensor that can be used for in-situ structural health monitoring with a triboluminescent material provided on a portion of an optical fiber that may be embedded in materials to be structurally monitored. Damage to the monitored material may result in a triboluminescent emission from the triboluminescent material that can be guided via the optical fiber. Analysis of the triboluminescent emission may provide information on the occurrence, severity and location of damage in a structure. | 04-25-2013 |
20130139606 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FIXING STRAINED OPTICAL FIBERS AGAINST CREEP AND TEMPERATURE AND STRAIN SENSORS USING SAID TECHNOLOGY - Optical fiber anchors accomplishing low creep confinement or fixing of a section of optical fiber in an assembly compact enough to be used conveniently as an anchor or as an enabling part of a strain or temperature sensor while retaining low optical losses and the original buffer coating to prevent the fiber from being exposed to abrasion and other influences that could lead to breakage. A rigid body is used that is mechanically stiff and hard enough to prevent said fiber from cutting into it or distorting said medium or substrate when subjected to stress, even over a long period of years. Trapping can be accomplished by molding the bent fiber into the substrate or body, adhesively bonding or soldering the optical fiber into a confining curved groove in a body or substrate. | 06-06-2013 |
20130174666 | Apparatus. System And Method For Dynamically Measuring Material Viscoelasticity Using Shear Wave Induced Resonance - A system for dynamically measuring viscoelasticity of material samples using shear wave induced resonance, the system comprising: i) an apparatus comprising a vibration source; a vibration detector; a processor, and a user interface, for example to select a sample holder configuration, and ii) a rigid sample holder connectable to the vibration source, wherein the vibration source generates shear waves that induce vibrations and the resonance of a sample through the holder, the vibration sensor measuring the sample vibrations and resonance, and the processor determining the viscoelasticity of the sample from the vibrations or resonances and from the selected sample holder configuration. Multiple measurement modalities using the system to study materials viscoelasticity as function of time parameters; temperature parameters; strain parameters; repetition parameters and mapping parameters. | 07-11-2013 |
20130247681 | TORSION MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A torsion measurement device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a component having a marked surface and an optical sensor. The marked component and the optical sensor may be attached to a tube or other elongate member and positioned to enable the optical sensor to measure angular deflection of the tube from rotation of the marked component with respect to the optical sensor. The angular deflection may be combined with other data to determine applied torque and torsional stress on the tube or other elongate member. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed. | 09-26-2013 |
20130255397 | OPTICAL FIBER TENSILE SCREENING METHOD AND DEVICE - A method and device for continuously testing the tensile strength of an optical fiber, wherein the incoming optical fiber is wrapped at least partially around a payout capstan, to an intermediate payout pulley, at least partially around the intermediate payout pulley, and back to the payout capstan. The optical fiber is then wound from the payout capstan to a tensile testing measurement component, and then to an uptake capstan. The optical fiber is wrapped at least partially around the uptake capstan, to an intermediate uptake pulley, at least partially around the intermediate uptake pulley, and back to the uptake capstan. The payout capstan and uptake capstan are operated at a desired rotational speed to continuously advance the optical fiber for tensile strength testing. | 10-03-2013 |
20130255398 | WIND TURBINE BLADE WITH OPTICAL SENSOR SYSTEM - Wind turbine blade comprising a sensor system with an optical path comprising a first optical sensor fiber, a second optical sensor fiber and a patch optical fiber, the first optical sensor fiber including a first core with a first core diameter wherein the first optical sensor fiber extends from a first end to a second end and comprising at least one sensor, the second optical sensor fiber including a second core with a second core diameter, wherein the second optical sensor fiber extends from a first end to a second end and comprising at least one sensor, the patch optical fiber including a patch core with a patch core diameter, wherein the patch optical fiber extends from a first end to a second end and connects the first optical sensor fiber and the second optical sensor fiber, wherein the first core diameter is the same as the patch core diameter. | 10-03-2013 |
20140000380 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING GEOMETRY DEFORMATION IN ROTATING COMPONENTS | 01-02-2014 |
20140026673 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR TESTING CUTTING BLADE INTEGRITY - A system for evaluating integrity of a cutting blade includes at least one stress wave generator for generating at least one stress wave in a cutting blade under test. A sensor detects a signal generated by the at least one stress wave. An integrity analyzer coupled to the sensor determines an indication of integrity of the cutting blade based on at least one characteristic of the signal. | 01-30-2014 |
20140026674 | METHOD FOR FATIGUE ASSESSMENT OF ROLLING BEARING - The present invention related to a method, and an apparatus arrangement, for determining a fatigue limit for rolling contact initiated fatigue of a rolling bearing. The method comprises running a rolling bearing while being exerted to a load which generates sub-surface transformations in a rolling element contact zone of the outer or inner ring. Furthermore a set of sub-surface transformations in the contact zone along a raceway portion of the rolling bearing is identified and measured and used for generation of a parameter data set, wherein a fatigue parameter value representative of a predicted fatigue limit for the rolling bearing is determined based on the generated data set of sub-surface transformations. | 01-30-2014 |
20140033825 | Method and assembly for sensing permanent deformation of a structure - The present invention relates to a method of sensing permanent deformation of a structure, the method comprising the steps of; determining the strain required to permanently deform a structure; securing to the structure one or more strain sensors so that a strain sensor will deform when the structure is deformed, wherein the or each strain sensor comprises one or more optical fibers and wherein the or each strain sensor is configured such that it will permanently deform only when the structure permanently deforms; carrying out distributed fiber optic analysis to sense if a strain sensor has been permanently deformed, wherein a permanent deformation of a strain sensor indicates permanent deformation of the structure. The present invention also relates to a corresponding assembly. | 02-06-2014 |
20140047926 | FRAME FOOT LOADING MEASUREMENT SYSTEM USING FIBER OPTIC SENSING TECHNIQUE - A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based sensor is used as a strain sensing element to determine frame foot loading of a generator. Three FBGs may be used in tandem to form a basic Frame Foot Loading Module (FFL Module). Two modules are fixed on each vertical support gusset at the corner of the generator frame, with one module on the front of the gusset and a second module on the back of the gusset. Thus, each gusset may be instrumented with six FBG strain gauges or sensors. The gussets are chosen on each of the four corners of the generator. For two-pole generators the first three gussets at each corner may be used and, for four-pole generators the first four gussets may be used. | 02-20-2014 |
20140053654 | Shape Sensing Using a Multi-Core Optical Fiber Having an Arbitrary Initial Shape in the Presence of Extrinsic Forces - Shape of a multi-core optical fiber is determined by positioning the fiber in an arbitrary initial shape and measuring strain over the fiber's length using strain sensors. A three-coordinate p-vector is defined for each core as a function of the distance of the corresponding cores from a center point of the fiber and a bending angle of the cores. The method includes calculating, via a controller, an applied strain value of the fiber using the p-vector and the measured strain for each core, and calculating strain due to bending as a function of the measured and the applied strain values. Additionally, an apparent local curvature vector is defined for each core as a function of the calculated strain due to bending. Curvature and bend direction are calculated using the apparent local curvature vector, and fiber shape is determined via the controller using the calculated curvature and bend direction. | 02-27-2014 |
20140083197 | DISTRIBUTED SENSING EMPLOYING STIMULATED BRILLOUIN SCATTERING IN OPTICAL FIBERS - Disclosed are methods and devices for distributed sensing of a measurable parameter employing stimulated Brillouin scattering in an optical fiber. A frequency-modulated or phase-modulated light wave is transmitted into the optical fiber. A scattered light wave in the optical fiber is monitored for sensing a measurable parameter. In some embodiments, the calculating step may include calculating a distance of a sensed location along the optical fiber using the monitored time of arrival. | 03-27-2014 |
20140150563 | STRAIN SENSING CABLE - A strain sensing cable including one or more strain sensing elements and a strain transfer medium extruded directly onto the one or more strain sensing elements disposed within the strain transfer medium. The strain transfer medium is operatively arranged to transfer strain experienced by the cable to the one or more strain sensing elements. A method of making a strain sensing cable is also included. | 06-05-2014 |
20140230562 | TUBULAR INSERTION DEVICE - A tubular insertion device includes a tubular insertion portion including a flexible portion in a predetermined part, bending sensors distributed and arranged in the flexible portion, and an operation support information calculating unit. The operation support information calculating unit extracts operation support information including at least first external force information regarding an external force applied to the tubular insertion portion by a combinational calculation based on detection information from the bending sensors. | 08-21-2014 |
20140298918 | BROADBAND ELECTROMECHANICAL SPECTROSCOPY - An apparatus, method, and material wherein the material's viscoelastic and/or fatigue life may be altered by application of a secondary tuning electromagnetic field or a selected temperature, and the material's viscoelastic and/or fatigue properties are measured by a mechanical response of the material caused by applying a primary driving electromagnetic field. | 10-09-2014 |
20140305223 | METHOD OF ON-LINE AUTOMATIC GENERATOR CORE THROUGH-BOLT TENSIONING - A generator stator core that includes a plurality of through-bolts extending through the stator core. Each through-bolt includes a threaded end on which is positioned a conical washer and a through-bolt nut, where the through-bolt nuts are tightened against the washers to compress laminate plates and hold the stator core together. The stator core further includes a through-bolt tension monitoring system including a fiber Bragg grating sensor mounted to one or more of the conical washers and being provided in at least one optical fiber. The monitoring system further includes a monitoring device providing an optical signal to each of the fiber Bragg grating sensors and receiving a reflected signal from the fiber Bragg grating sensors where the reflected signal provides an indication of strain on the washer to provide an indication of how tight the nut is on the through-bolt. | 10-16-2014 |
20140311250 | FGB STRAIN SENSOR FOR CURVED SURFACES - An FBG strain sensor for measuring strains to curved surfaces, includes a fibre which is fixed between two securing elements whose undersides are designed as adhesive surfaces, the optical fibre and these securing elements being embedded in a protective compound which consists of a soft silicone rubber or a plastic that has comparable mechanical properties, and the fibre being embedded between an upper and a lower thin sliding film or a sliding tube that consists of Teflon or of a plastic which has a low friction coefficient comparable to Teflon, the underside of the lower sliding film or the lower external surface-line of the sliding tube lying in a plane with the adhesive surfaces of the securing elements. | 10-23-2014 |
20140331779 | STRUCTURAL STRAIN SENSING OPTICAL CABLE - A strain-sensing cable is provided. The strain sensing cable includes a jacket, a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber is located within the jacket and is configured to experience a strain applied to the cable and the temperature of the cable. The second optical fiber is located within the jacket and is isolated from the strain applied to the cable and is configured to experience temperature of the cable. | 11-13-2014 |
20140352450 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A MACHINING RESULT DURING SURFACE MACHINING OF COMPONENTS - A method for determining a machining result during surface machining of components, has the following method steps of: providing a component, applying at least one device, which changes under pressure, to the component, machining the surface of the component provided with the at least one device, evaluating the machining operation on the basis of the change in the at least one device as a result of the surface machining of the component. At least one device is in the form of a film which changes at least one property during the surface machining of the component. | 12-04-2014 |
20150020603 | Apparatus, System and Method for Compression Testing of Test Specimens - There is provided an apparatus for compression testing. The apparatus has a base assembly having an end load element attached to the base assembly, the base assembly being rigid. The apparatus has a support assembly attached to the base assembly, and having a plurality of window portions. The apparatus has a core assembly installed within the support assembly, the core assembly being crushable and configured to protect the support assembly and the base assembly from fracture loads generated during compression testing. The base assembly, the support assembly, and the core assembly together form an apparatus for compression testing of a test specimen having a notch portion. The apparatus is configured for use with an optical strain measurement system. When the test specimen is installed in the support assembly, the test specimen and the notch portion are visible to the optical strain measurement system through the plurality of window portions. | 01-22-2015 |
20150020604 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE SLOSHING IN THE CARGO TANK OF A LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS CARRIER - An apparatus and method for measuring the sloshing in the cargo tank of a liquefied natural gas carrier is provided. The apparatus includes: a plate-shaped floating mat coupler which floats on the surface of the liquefied natural gas contained in the cargo tank of a liquefied natural gas carrier and moves in accordance with the movement of the liquefied natural gas; and an optical sensor measuring acceleration using optical sensor technology to measure acceleration when the floating mat coupler floats by being inserted in one or more positions in the floating mat coupler. The characteristics of the movement occurring in accordance with the sloshing of the liquefied natural gas in the cargo tank of a liquefied natural gas carrier, and the shock and deformation which the inner wall of the cargo tank is subjected to because of such movement, are measured at multiple angles. | 01-22-2015 |
20150020605 | SYSTEM FOR LOCATING ELECTRIC CABLES - A system for locating a cable tethered from a mobile machine along a worksite is disclosed. The cable transmits electric power to the mobile machine from a power source. A fiber optic cable is disposed between the power source and the mobile machine along with the cable to detect a position of the electric cable along the worksite. The system includes a shape sensing device to communicate with the fiber optic cable and generate a position data set. A positioning device determines a position of one of the mobile machine and the power source. A controller communicates with the shape sensing device and the positioning device and determines an avoidance region based on the position data set and the position of one of the mobile machine and the power source. The avoidance region corresponds to a region for avoidance by equipment or personnel. | 01-22-2015 |
20150033868 | TRANSVERSAL LOAD INSENSITIVE OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE, AND OPTICAL SENSOR COMPRISING A WAVE GUIDE - A transversal load insensitive optical waveguide includes a primary section having a core. The waveguide may further include an outer cladding. The primary section includes a primary section surface and the outer cladding includes an exterior surface mechanically attached to the primary section surface by an interior cladding structure forming a mechanical connection. The cladding structure is such that for at least part of a distance between each two radial corresponding points on the exterior surface and the primary section surface respectively, the mechanical connection deviates from being radial, so that a radially-directed load on an exterior surface of the outer cladding is deflected by the cladding structure. | 02-05-2015 |
20150040678 | TABLET TEST STATION - The invention relates to a tablet test station, including at least one receptacle for the transfer of tablets from an outlet of a feed device and at least one test means for inspecting, testing and/or measuring the tablets. A lifting device ( | 02-12-2015 |
20150114130 | DISTRIBUTED PRESSURE MEASUREMENT BY EMBEDDED FIBER OPTIC STRAIN SENSOR - A pressure sensing pad includes a flexible planar layer having a two-dimensional sensing area, and an optical fiber embedded in the plane of the flexible planar layer traversing the two-dimensional sensing area in a particular configuration. At least one end of the fiber optic strain sensor has a connector that is connectable to an interferometric-based fiber optic interrogation and processing system. When the connector is connected to the an interferometric-based fiber optic interrogation and processing system and pressure is applied to the pressure sensing pad, a signal from the optical fiber is provided to and processed by the interferometric-based fiber optic interrogation and processing system to determine a two-dimensional pressure map for the two-dimensional sensing area. | 04-30-2015 |
20150122045 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE LIGHT GAP TIGHTNESS OF PISTON RINGS - A method and an apparatus for measuring the light gap tightness of a piston ring, that is provided with a joint and produced so as to be non-round by clamping the open piston ring, while substantially closing the joint, by way of an accessory device in the circumferential direction, and by exerting a defined force in the region of at least one of the joint ends of the piston ring in the direction of a wall of the accessory device, wherein optical means are used to establish whether the joint region of the piston ring which is subjected to the action of the force is seated against the wall of the accessory device in a light-tight manner. | 05-07-2015 |
20150122046 | LASER BOND INSPECTION WITH COMPACT SURFACE MOTION SENSOR - Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for laser bond inspection of an angled or compact bonded article. | 05-07-2015 |
20150128717 | AUTOMATED DYNAMIC LASER BOND INSPECTION SYSTEM - Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated dynamic laser bond inspection of a bonded article. | 05-14-2015 |
20150330847 | OPTICAL MULTI-AXIS FORCE SENSOR - A force sensor includes a rigid loaded member including a flat plate having a first major side, a second major side opposite the first major side, and a center; wherein the first major side and the second major side are substantially parallel to each other and to a plane including orthogonal X and Y axes, and are substantially perpendicular to the Z axis; at least two optical strain sensors directly secured to at least one of the first major side and the second major side; and an attachment means secured to the first major side substantially at the center; wherein the loaded member is configured to be securable to an associated supporting surface such that the second major side faces the associated supporting surface. | 11-19-2015 |
20160054186 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTICAL STRAIN SENSING - Mechanical parameters of an object subjected to a force or condition are measured. A curved portion of a multicore optical fiber is attached to the object, and the multicore optical fiber includes a center core and plural off-center cores. A distributed, optically-based sensing technique is used to obtain information at each of multiple points along the curved portion from multiple ones of the cores of the multicore optical fiber. A curvature associated with the fiber attached to the object is determined using the information obtained from multiple ones of the cores. Strain information is obtained for the center core without having to obtain strain information for the off-center cores. Mechanical parameters are determined based on the strain information obtained for the center core and the curvature information obtained from the multiple ones of the cores. | 02-25-2016 |
20160054216 | FIBER DELIVERY FOR LASER BOND INSPECTION - Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for fiber delivery of a laser pulse used in laser bond inspection. In one embodiment, a system for fiber delivery of a laser pulse for laser bond inspection comprises a laser operable to produce the laser pulse, one or more optical fibers, and an inspection head. | 02-25-2016 |
20160069757 | Non-Contact Method for Measurement of Strain Profile at a Location Interposed within a Soft Deformable Object with Dynamic Evolution of the Strain Under Dynamic Loading or Fracture of the Object - A non-invasive method for estimation of strain profile and dynamic evolution of the strain at a location interposed inside a block of soft material, includes forming a tracer grid consisting of microscopic lines or regularly spaced microscopic dots on a single plane buried inside the soft block; preparation of a deformable object embedded with the tracer grid in three primary steps: i. preparing a block of crosslinked material by crosslinking a first predetermined quantity of a pre-polymer solution containing a monomer, a crosslinking agent, and an initiator and promoter all mixed in a solvent at a known stoichiometric weight ratio; ii. transferring a grid comprising of lines or dots onto the face by direct writing or transferring from an easy release surface; and iii. crosslinking a second predetermined quantity of the same pre-polymer solution on the gel surface, such that this second crosslinked material gets welded to the first one. | 03-10-2016 |
20160103026 | MEASURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ASCERTAINING A PRESSURE MAP - A measuring device for determining a pressure map during application of pressure to at least one measurement layer between a first pressure body and a second pressure body the measuring device comprising: (i) at least one transmitter located on one peripheral edge of the measurement layer for emission of signals in the form of electromagnetic waves along a first signal route which runs through the measurement layer and at least one other signal route which runs through the measurement layer, and (ii) at least one receiver located on the peripheral edge for reception of the signals of the first signal route and other signal route(s), which signals are sent by the transmitter through the measurement layer and can be changed when pressure is applied. Furthermore this invention relates to a corresponding method. | 04-14-2016 |
20160109343 | Bond Interface Testing - A method and apparatus for testing a bond interface is provided. The method comprises directing laser energy at a first surface of a first material connected to a second material by an adhesive at a bond interface. The first surface is opposite the bond interface. A first acoustic impedance of the first material is greater than a second acoustic impedance of the second material. The method also determines whether an inconsistency is present in the bond interface after directing the laser energy. | 04-21-2016 |
20160138908 | MICROMECHANICAL PHOTOTHERMAL ANALYSER OF MICROFLUIDIC SAMPLES - The present invention relates to a micromechanical photothermal analyser of microfluidic samples comprising an oblong micro-channel extending longitudinally from a support element, the micro-channel is made from at least two materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, wherein the materials are arranged relatively to each other so that heating of the micro-channel results in a bending of the micro-channel, the first material has a first thermal expansion coefficient and is made from an light-specific transparent penetrable material so that when exposed to ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light, the specific light radiates into the channel through said light transparent material, the second material has a second thermal expansion coefficient being different from the first thermal expansion coefficient. The micromechanical photothermal analyser also comprises an irradiation source being adapted to controlled radiate ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light towards and through the transparent micro-channel, and a deflection detector being adapted to detect the amount of deflection of the micro-channel. The wavelength-deflection plot provides a spectrum of an analyte inside the oblong microchannel. To characterize the analyte the plot is compared with the standard database of spectroscopy. | 05-19-2016 |
20160138909 | STRAIN SENSOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR STRAIN SENSOR - In a strain sensor and a method for manufacturing a strain sensor according to the present invention, a plurality of supports is provided in a base in a state of protruding. An optical fiber is wound around the supports. The optical fiber is provided in a state of having parts directing to different directions each other between the supports. Fixing materials fix the optical fiber to the supports in a state in which tension is applied to fiber parts between the supports. | 05-19-2016 |
20160161350 | STRUCTURES MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A sensing system that includes an optical fiber disposed helically around an outer surface of a structure along a longitudinal axis of the structure is provided. The optical fiber is disposed such that at least one complete helical turn of the optical fiber covers the length of the structure. Further, the sensing system also includes a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) set comprising a plurality of FBGs in the optical fiber. Each FBG in the set is configured to generate reflected light that is indicative of strain values at a location of each respective FBG on the optical fiber. Furthermore, the system also includes a processing system coupled to the optical fiber. The processing system is configured to determine location coordinates of each FBG and values of one or more of bending moment, tensile force, and torsional moment acting at each FBG location on the optical fiber. | 06-09-2016 |