Patent ID: 8780335
Filing Date: 2014-07-15
Classification: G01B,G01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An optical shear sensor comprising: a first and a second outer surface at opposing sides of the optical shear sensor; and at least one sensing element comprising an optoelectronic source configured to emit light of a predetermined wavelength and at least one photodetector configured to detect light of the predetermined wavelength, the optoelectronic source having a source front surface being an outer surface of the optoelectronic source where light of the predetermined wavelength exits the optoelectronic source, the at least one photodetector having a detector front surface being an outer surface of the photodetector where light of the optoelectronic source is to be received, wherein the optoelectronic source is positioned along the first outer surface and configured to emit light towards the second outer surface, wherein a flexible sensing layer covers both the front surface of the optoelectronic source and the front surface of the photodetector, the sensing layer being transparent to the predetermined wavelength, wherein the optoelectronic source, the photodetector, the second outer surface and the sensing layer are arranged such that, upon application of a shear stress onto the optical shear sensor, the sensing layer deforms elastically and the first and the second outer surface are displaced along directions parallel to each other and the source front surface and the intensity of light emitted by the optoelectronic source and detected by the photodetector changes, the change in intensity of light emitted by the optoelectronic source and detected by the photodetector being indicative of the applied shear stress.