Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Patent
1987-03-27
1989-03-14
Westin, Edward P.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
250231P, 73800, G01L 124
Patent
active
048126454
ABSTRACT:
An optical fiber is securely and continuously engaged by a structure such as a pipeline, offshore platform, bridge, building, dam or even a natural object or fluid medium. A light signal is passed into one end of the optical fiber. Any physical movement of the structure, or sectional movements along the optical fiber path, such as deflection, bending, displacement (changes in linear uniformity) or fracture of the structure caused, for example, by stress, strain, pressure, temperature, etc., will necessarily affect the optical fiber. As a consequence, detectable changes will occur in the "electro-optic signature" (for measurements made at the input end of the optical fiber) or in the light signal transmission (for measurements made at the opposite end of the optical fiber). Such measurements made at the input end include reflections resulting from Rayleigh back-scattering and can periodically or continuously be made to determine the magnitude and location of the aforementioned physical movements of the structure. In addition, by utilizing additional optical fibers, the direction and rate, i.e., dynamics, of such physical movements can be determined. The optical fiber itself can be used as a communication link for the transmission of data and voice.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4654520 (1987-03-01), Griffiths
G2 Systems Corporation
Westin Edward P.
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