Patent ID: 9138948
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: B29D,G01K,G02B

Abstract:
1. A compact optical fiber temperature sensor comprising: an optical fiber including a bend on the order of 180 degrees with a radius of curvature not in excess of 10 mm; a fiber Bragg grating defined on or in a portion of said optical fiber in proximity to or within said bend; and a casing that at least partially encases said optical fiber including said fiber Bragg grating and said bend and suspends the optical fiber therewithin to isolate the optical fiber and fiber Bragg grating from thermal-dependent expansion and contraction of the casing, at least one brace in the interior of the casing attached to said fiber at two points with the fiber Bragg grating therebetween, the at least one brace having an expansion coefficient substantially the same as the expansion coefficient of the optical fiber and having a mass such that it does not cause the optical fiber to move substantially in any direction due to the force of gravity, wherein said fiber including said Bragg grating and said bend is suspended from the casing against gravity in all directions at the points of penetration of the optical fiber through the casing that are the only two points of contact of said optical fiber with said casing.