Patent ID: 6018160
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: G01B,G01D,G01K,G01L

Abstract:
Apparatus for sensing temperature and/or strain in an object, including a source of broadband light, connector means for receiving a beam of broadband light from the source at least two substantially identical optical Fiber Bragg gratings, a first of which gratings is operable to receive the broadband light beam from the connector means and function as a sensor of temperature and/or strain on the object when attached to or forming part of the object, by reflecting part of the received light beam back to the connector means, and a second of which gratings is operable to receive from the connector means the reflected light beam part and function as a reference grating through which a light output signal is transmitted, means for chirping said at least two gratings at the same band width, and a detector for receiving the light output signal and measuring the intensity of said light output signal, which intensity is monotonically related to the change in temperature and/or strain sensed in the object.