Abstract:
Light from an external source is collimated, polarized, passed through a voltage dependent quarterwave plate and onto an elasto-optic sensor which serves to retard the light passing therethrough as a function of the external stress being measured. Light emanating from the sensor is divided into components at .+-.45.degree. to the applied stress axis. These components are coupled through optical fibers to photodetectors and the resulting electrical signals are applied to difference amplifier. The amplifier output is used to control a second light source whose output via an optical fiber is converted to a voltage suitable to drive the voltage dependent quarterwave plate in a negative feedback fashion such that the wave retardations resulting from the applied stress and nulled out. The power necessary to drive the voltage dependent quarterwave plate is used as a measure of the applied stress.
Abstract:
At least four beams of linearly polarized light are produced separately at one and the same point of measurement in a single direction of observation at right angles to a unitary sheet of a specimen of photoelastic material in order to determine the state of mechanical stress in the plane of the sheet.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a photoelastic load measurement device which measures the load on the cable of the crane by measuring the strain in a particular structural member of the crane and is calibrated to operate an alarm, indicator and/or recorder. A source of polarized light directs a beam of light through a photoelastic plate to an analyzer plate and a photocell. The photoelastic plate is subjected to stress from the structural member which varies with the load on the cable of the crane. The stress in the photoelastic plate subjects the beam of polarized light to temporary double refraction (birefringence), and the intensity of the light received by the photocell through the analyzer plate is dependent upon the degree of retardation of the light in the photoelastic plate. The output signal from the photocell is amplified to operate the alarm, indicator and/or recorder. The device includes apparatus which automatically compensates for changes in ambient temperature and variations in boom angle.
Abstract:
A polariscope is described for detecting stresses in a transparent object. The polariscope comprises means for producing a beam of polychromatic plane polarized light, a condensing lens, an aperture, a quarter-wave retardation plate, analyzing means and a photocell. Changes in stress cause changes in the color and intensity of the light detected. Means are provided for scanning the polychromatic light beam back and forth in one direction across the transparent object that is being studied. Means are also provided for moving the transparent object in a direction transverse to the direction of the scanning light beam. The output of the photocell is applied through an amplifier to a chart recorder in order to produce a plot of the stresses in the object with respect to their position.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for detecting a modification of a compound, the modification occurring during a transient period. The method may include: coupling at least one substance portion comprising ferro elastic material to a compound, the substance portion being configured to change a polarization level thereof continuously in response to a strain gradient applied thereto over the a transient period which results in said modification; sensing a physical property of said substance portion affected by the polarization level of the substance portion, due to the modification; and determining, using a computer processor, the modification, based on the sensed physical property of the substance portion.
Abstract:
Compositions including a thermosetting polymer network and a mechanophore covalently bonded to the thermosetting polymer network are provided. Substrates including the compositions are provided. In addition, methods of making the compositions and methods of monitoring stress on a substrate comprising the compositions are provided.
Abstract:
A strain detector 1 includes: a metal plate 4 that is fixed to a first end 210 of a first tube 21 and a second end 220 of a second tube 22 while the metal plate 4 straddles a weld 3 between the first end 210 and the second end 220, the first tube 21 and the second tube 22 forming part of a boiler tube 2; and an optical fiber 5 that is fixed to a top of the metal plate 4 and that extends in an axial direction (a first direction D1) of the first tube 21 and the second tube 22. In this manner, the metal plate 4 is fixed to the first tube 21 and the second tube 22 while straddling the weld 3, and the optical fiber 5 is fixed to the top of the metal plate 4, which enables the strain detector 1 to accurately detect a strain in the weld 3 of the boiler tube 2.
Abstract:
A strain amount calculation system includes an imaging unit, and a strain amount calculation device that acquires an image taken by the imaging unit, measures luminescent brightness from the acquired image, calculates an amount of strain on the object caused by a load on the object, based on a temporal change in the measured luminescent brightness, and outputs information on the calculated strain amount.