Patent ID: 7605923
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: G01B,G01J,G01M

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring strain on a structure, comprising: physically continuously contacting the structure with a polarization-maintaining single mode optical fiber; directing the output of an optical light source into an input end of the optical fiber; directing a signal from an output end of the optical fiber into a polarizer; creating interference of an optical signal emitted from the polarizer by using an optical interferometric device; detecting intensity changes at at least one non-predetermined point along the optical fiber resulting from the interference corresponding to a strain on the structure transferred to the optical fiber creating a local change in birefringence of the optical fiber and providing an electrical signal responsive thereto; and signal processing the electrical signal to provide one or more output signals indicative of the location of the strain on the structure corresponding to the at least one non-predetermined point along the optical fiber, wherein at least one said non-predetermined point does not use a discrete sensor to transfer strain to the optical fiber.