G01L1/24

SENSOR DEVICE
20220364941 · 2022-11-17 ·

A sensor device includes: a light-emitting section that outputs light to a first mirror or a second mirror, the second mirror facing the first mirror and being configured to change an orientation with respect to the first mirror; and a light-receiving section that receives reflection light, reflected from the first mirror and the second mirror, of the light outputted from the light-emitting section.

Multicore fiber crosstalk sensor with matched effective index
11585684 · 2023-02-21 · ·

An optical fiber sensor with high sensitivity and high spatial resolution is described. The optical fiber sensor includes a multicore fiber having cores configured to permit crosstalk between cores. Crosstalk corresponds to transfer of an optical signal from a core to another core and is used as a mechanism for sensing the external environment surrounding the multicore optical fiber. The degree of crosstalk depends on the relative refractive index profile of the cores and surrounding cladding, as well as on the spacing between cores. The external environment surrounding the multicore optical fiber and changes therein influence crosstalk between cores to permit sensing. The relative refractive index profiles of the cores are also configured to provide a group delay difference for optical signals propagating in different cores. The group delay difference facilitates the position of an external perturbation along the length of the multicore optical fiber.

DISTRIBUTED PRESSURE SENSING USING FIBER-OPTIC DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC SENSOR AND DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE SENSOR
20220364943 · 2022-11-17 ·

A machine learning system and method are provided for using fiber-optic Distributed Acoustic Sensor (DAS) and Distributed Temperature Sensor (DTS) data to predict pressure along one or more optical fiber cables. DAS and DTS data are used to train a model to predict pressure based on the DAS and DTS data corresponding to optical signals carried on the fiber cable(s). The trained model is then used to process acquired DAS and DTS data corresponding to optical signals carried on the fiber cable(s) to the predict pressure distributed along the cable(s).

Fiber optic sensing system for grid-based assets

A sensor system includes a sensor network comprising at least one optical fiber having one or more optical sensors. At least one of the optical sensors is arranged to sense vibration of an electrical device and to produce a time variation in light output in response to the vibration. A detector generates an electrical time domain signal in response to the time variation in light output. An analyzer acquires a snapshot frequency component signal which comprises one or more time varying signals of frequency components of the time domain signal over a data acquisition time period. The analyzer detects a condition of the electrical device based on the snapshot frequency component signal.

Fiber optic load sensors and systems therefor

A load sensing system for sensing a load on a structure can include an optical load sensing element configured to change an optical state based on a force applied thereto, an optical source operatively connected to the optical load sensing element and configured to input an input optical signal to the optical load element, and an optical detector configured to receive a returned optical signal from the optical load sensing element. The optical detector can be configured to detect one or more frequency peaks of the returned optical signal and to use the one or more frequency peaks of the returned optical signal to correlate to a load value of the load and output the load value indicative of the load.

Guidewire with fiber Bragg grating strain sensors

A guidewire including an optical fiber containing three fiber cores, each supporting a strain-sensing fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is described. The three FBGs are susceptible to changes in strain so that axial and lateral force vectors imparted to the FBGs can be ascertained. An optical connector detachably connects the guidewire optic fiber to a proximal optical fiber. The proximal optical fiber in turn is connected to a controller, which in addition to ascertaining the axial and lateral force vectors imparted to each of the FBGs, is programmed to calculate the spatial orientation of the guidewire as it is advanced through the vasculature. This capability is extremely useful for positioning the guidewire at a body site of interest prior to performing a medical procedure. A temperature-sensing FBG is used to compensate for changes in the ambient temperature.

ELASTOMERIC LIGHTGUIDE COUPLING FOR CONTINUOUS POSITION LOCALIZATION IN 1,2, AND 3D
20230048203 · 2023-02-16 ·

Provided are three dimensional, stretchable, optical sensor networks that can localize deformations. The devices described herein are suitable for uses in soft robots to determine the position of external contact, such as touching, and possibly internal deformations that may be caused by actuation. Sensor networks of the present disclosure contain a substrate, such as a 3D lattice, and cores having a cladding, such as air. Light passes through the cores and upon deformation of the substrate, cores may come into contact, allowing light to couple between cores due to frustrated total internal reflection. The resulting changes in intensity in the cores can be used to determine the placement and magnitude of deformation.

Elastomeric lightguide coupling for continuous position localization in 1,2, and 3D
11500152 · 2022-11-15 · ·

Provided are three dimensional, stretchable, optical sensor networks that can localize deformations. The devices described herein are suitable for uses in soft robots to determine the position of external contact, such as touching, and possibly internal deformations that may be caused by actuation. Sensor networks of the present disclosure contain a substrate, such as a 3D lattice, and cores having a cladding, such as air. Light passes through the cores and upon deformation of the substrate, cores may come into contact, allowing light to couple between cores due to frustrated total internal reflection. The resulting changes in intensity in the cores can be used to determine the placement and magnitude of deformation.

Mechanoluminescent Devices, Articles, and Methods
20230045070 · 2023-02-09 ·

Mechanoluminescent devices and articles, such as wearable articles, that include mechanoluminescent devices. The mechanoluminescent devices may have a lateral type architecture or a vertical type architecture. The mechanoluminescent devices may be sensors, including pressure sensors.

Mechanoluminescent Devices, Articles, and Methods
20230045070 · 2023-02-09 ·

Mechanoluminescent devices and articles, such as wearable articles, that include mechanoluminescent devices. The mechanoluminescent devices may have a lateral type architecture or a vertical type architecture. The mechanoluminescent devices may be sensors, including pressure sensors.