Patent ID: 9248615
Filing Date: 2016-02-02
CPC Classification: B29D,G01K,G02B

Claim Text:
1. A compact optical fiber temperature sensor comprising: an optical fiber including one or more bends on the order of 180 degrees each with a radius of curvature not in excess of 10 mm; a fiber Bragg grating defined on or in an uncoated portion of said optical fiber in proximity to or within said bend or bends; and a casing that at least partially encases said fiber and includes two points of penetration of the optical fiber through the casing that are the only two points of contact of said fiber with said casing, at least one brace within the casing, said at least one brace attached to said fiber at two points with the fiber Bragg grating fiber therebetween, the at least one brace being further arranged to isolate the fiber and fiber Bragg grating from stresses due to temperature-dependent expansion and contraction of the casing so as to not materially influence the fiber Bragg grating by causing temperature-varying axial, radial or bending stress components, said at least one brace being further arranged to reduce vulnerability of the uncoated portion of said optical fiber to static fatigue fracture or vibration, wherein said optical fiber including said Bragg grating, at least one brace and said bend or bends is suspended from the casing against gravity in all directions.