Structural monitoring system using fiber optics

Abstract

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 strees, 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). A preferred optic fiber construction comprises a core and cladding contained within a protective buffer coating, wherein the buffer coating includes a particulate material for engaging the cladding in a manner altering reflective or transmission or other "electro-optic signature" characteristics of the fiber when the buffer coating is subjected to radial forces. The particulate material can be uniformly or nonuniformly distributed about the cladding to provide variable sensitivity.

Inventors

• 👤 Richard W. Griffiths

Bibliographic Details