Systems, devices and methods enable generation and monitoring of support platform structural conditions in a manner that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional approaches (e.g., load cells) for generating and monitoring similar operating condition information. In preferred embodiments, such systems, devices and methods utilize fiber optic strain gauges (i.e., fiber optic sensors) in place of (e.g., retrofit/data replacement) or in combination with conventional load cells. The fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations on one or more support bodies of a support platform. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic strain gauges are placed in positions within a hull and/or one or more pontoons of an offshore platform. Such positions are selected whereby resulting operating condition data generated by the fiber optic strain gauges suitably replaces data received by conventionally constructed and located load cells of an offshore platform (e.g., a TLP).

The present invention discloses a distributed continuous high-accuracy bidirectional displacement fiber-optic measurement system and a measurement method thereof for measuring displacement of a measurement target, including a Brillouin analysis device connected with an optical fiber strain gauge, a fiber-optic sensor assembly including a reference fiber-optic sensor device and a plurality of fiber-optic sensor devices, and an operation module, the operation module is operable to receive the continuous data and the single-spot data transmitted from the Brillouin analysis device and the fiber-optic sensor devices, and to calculate an accurate displacement for each interval of the optical fiber strain gauge according to the continuous data and the single-spot data so as to form continuous displacement data. Thus, the present invention is economic in respect of cost and suits the need of the market application, and can be applied in a large area, and enhances the accuracy of measurement.

A pressure sensor, a manufacturing method thereof, a pressure sensing method and a display device are provided. The pressure sensor includes a first electrode, at least two supports on a first surface of the first electrode, an elastic composite electrode on a side of the supports facing away from the first electrode. Two adjacent supports of the supports, the elastic composite electrode and the first electrode define a compressible space, and the at least two supports are formed of an insulating material. The pressure sensor further comprises a second electrode on a side of the elastic composite electrode facing away from the first electrode and an organic light emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the organic light emitting layer being in contact with one of the first electrode and the second electrode. The pressure sensor has advantages of low power consumption, fast response and high sensitivity.

The present disclosure discloses an optical element for measuring a change in strain. The optical element has ends and first and second portions for guiding light which extend between the ends of the optical element and are mechanically coupled to each other at at least one position. Each of the first and second portions for guiding light comprise at least one Bragg grating. The optical element is arranged such that, when an axial or uniaxial strain is equally applied to the first and second portions for guiding light at the ends of the optical element, an optical response from the at least one Bragg grating of the first portion for guiding light differs from an optical response form the at least one Bragg grating of the second portion for guiding light.

A tactile sensor including a camera positioned to capture images of marks. An elastically deformable skin including an outer surface having attributes and an undersurface having pins, ridges, or both. Each undersurface pin or ridge includes a mark. A processor detects displacement of the marks in captured images and compares the displaced positions of the marks in the captured images to stored sets of prelearned positions of marks, based on a distance function, to determine a quality of match value for each set of the prelearned positions of marks. A best quality matched prelearned pattern of forces is determined using a user selected function, to calculate a best matching set of the prelearned positions of marks. Identify a pattern of forces acting on the elastically deformable skin based on the determined best matched prelearned pattern of forces.

The present invention relates to a stratum deformation monitoring device. The device includes a working tube having an outer surface and an in-tube space and buried into a target stratum; a plurality of deformation monitoring rings, each of which the plurality of deformation monitoring rings are movably assembled on the outer surface of the working tube in equal intervals or unequal intervals; and at least one strain optical fiber movably assembled on the outer surface of the working tube by securing on the plurality of deformation monitoring rings.

A modular pavement slab comprises a body, a strain sensor array, and a sensor processor. The body includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and four side surfaces. The modular pavement slab is configured to be coupled to at least one other modular pavement slab via connectors along at least one of the side surfaces. The strain sensor array is retained within the body and is configured to detect a plurality of strains on the body resulting from vehicular traffic across the top surface of the body. The sensor processor is in communication with the strain sensor array. The sensor processor is configured to communicate input signals to the strain sensor array, receive output signals from the strain sensor array, and determine a plurality of time-varying strain values, each strain value indicating a strain experienced over time by a successive one of a plurality of regions of the body.

Bearing unit providing a housing and at least one bearing mounted in the housing. The bearing unit includes at least one load sensing element and at least one vibration sensing element fixed on the housing.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.