Patent ID: 6420696
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
A sensor having an alignment means, comprising;a fiber having longitudinal and radial orthogonal axes, said radial axis and said longitudinal axis defining a first plane, said optical fiber further having at least one sensing means, said sensing means internally distributed along, and about, at least a portion of a length of said longitudinal axis, said sensing means producing a detectable signal response in a signal transmitted along said longitudinal axis to a mechanical load applied in a direction perpendicular to said first plane, said response reaching a maximum value as said radial axis is rotated about said longitudinal axis, said radial axis aligned at an angle, &phgr;, with respect to said first plane at said maximum response value; a planar tab having a first surface, said first surface parallel with said first plane, said planar tab fixedly attached to said fiber wherein said radial axis is aligned at said angle, &phgr;, with respect to said first plane.