Abstract:
A system for measuring the tensile strength of a planar interface between a substrate (30) and a coating (32) which includes an energy source (20) that generates an electromagnetic beam (24) along a first axis, and a sample assembly disposed along the first axis having a first face, and a second face, where the first and second faces are oppositely opposed. The sample assembly includes a confining plate (26), an energy absorbing layer (28), a substrate (30) and a coating (32) having a free surface, all in intimate facing contact with each other, and where the sample (30) and a coating (32) having a free surface, all in intimate facing contact which each other, and where the sample (30) and the coating (32) are in intimate facing contact forms a substrate/coating interface. The coating (32) is positioned along the first axis so that the coating (32) free surface forms the sample assembly second face and the confining plate (26) forms the sample assembly first face.
Abstract:
An optical sensor uses a beam waveguide (39) embedded in a force or pressure transmitting material, in particular an elastomer. To be used as force measuring sensor, the beam waveguide is mounted on an elastic deformable body and embedded in a material that does not undergo creep under the influence of a force.
Abstract:
An optical fiber (10) having at least two cores (12 & 14) positioned in a common cladding (16) can be fabricated to be responsive to strain or hydrostatic pressure (20) but not to temperature through the selection of materials, spacing and shape of the cores and cladding in the fiber. Accordingly, the cross-talk between adjacent cores (12 & 14) in the optical wave-guide (10) can be optimized to respond to a change in hydrostatic pressure (20) or in unidirectional strain along the length of the fiber. The strain or pressure change, can be determined by measuring (22 & 24) the relative intensity of light emerging from the different cores of the fiber. A larger unambiguous range for strain or hydrostatic pressure (20) changes can be provided by a multi-core optical fiber embodiment.
Abstract:
A system (50) for determining strain includes: a stimulating light source (54, 56); a device (64) for placing stress on an object (58); a number of local strain gauges (66) attached to the object (58); and an image capturing device (62, 64). A controller (52) is coupled to the stimulating light source (54, 56) and has a signal that turns on the stimulating light source (54, 56). The controller (52) receives a strain signal from each of the local strain gauges (66) located on the object (58). The controller (66) has an image signal that determines when the image capturing device (62, 64) captures an image.
Abstract:
The device comprises a series of segments (2a, 2b, 2c) of measurement optical fibre (2) and a series of segments (3a, 3b) of strain fibre (3) extending transversaly to the longitudinal direction of the segments of measurement optical fibre; the segments of strain fibre are alternately arranged on either side of the segments of measurement optical fibre; the fibre segments of at least one series are covered with a protection member (4) providing for a relative displacement of the protection member and the coated fibre segments.
Abstract:
Optical device and method for strain detection. The device comprises at least one optical fiber (1) arranged so as to form a network (2). Light emitting means (E) arranged at one end of the fiber and receiver means (R) arranged at the other end enable to supply an information relative to the light intensity transmitted by the fiber or fibers in the presence of strain and a measurement corresponding to said strain. Application to weighing apparatus and pressure chart takings.
Abstract:
A fibre-optic cable responsible to microbending and forming part of a device for measuring pressure in accordance with the principle of creating a periodic mechanical disturbance in the fibre. The cable comprises a fibre (F) having a core (C) and a core-sheating (M). An elongated element in the form of a twisted filament (T1, T2) or a twisted band (B) extends along the fibre, and a primary shield (H) encases the fibre and the twisted element.
Abstract:
A sensor system for sensing a measurand field within an environment includes an optical source, such as a light emitting diode, for providing broadband light to an array of serially coupled sensor elements disposed within an optical fiber (28). Each sensor element includes a fiber grating (Bragg grating) (44) which, when illuminated, reflects a narrow band of light having a specified central wavelength. The optical fiber is deployed in a high strength hermetically sealed capillary tubing structure (5). Within the capillary tube, at least in the area of the sensor elements, the capillary tubing is filled with a high-density, low-compressibility, and high thermal conductivity material, such as a liquid (48), which completely fills all of the void spaces within the capillary tubing between the tubing and the sensor elements such that compressive forces which are exerted on the external surfaces of the tubing are accurately transmitted to the sensor elements.
Abstract:
A photoelastic force sensor comprising a sensor plate or disk bonded by means of diffusion or reactive bonding of identical or like materials onto a first face of a spacer ring which defines an aperture. The spacer ring also has an appropriate thickness and width so that other sealing requirements that induce stress into the spacer ring are not appreciably passed onto the sensor plate. A seal plate is attached to a second face of the spacer ring to form a sealed cavity which can then be evacuated or pressurized as required for the application.
Abstract:
Polarized light from a polarizer (12) is passed through a stressed birefringent objet (14) and an analyser (16) to produce a fringe pattern representative of the stress in the object (14). The fringe pattern is observed with a CCD camera (18) and intensity information of the pattern is input to a computer (22). The process is repeated for at least two wavelengths of light and the information for the different wavelengths is combined to form a stress map of the object (14) for display on a VDU (24).