Fiber Optic Sensor Local Bonding Flexible Filament
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible filament structures with integrated optical fiber sensors often fail to accurately measure strain due to inadequate coupling, leading to poor strain transfer and detection of damage, especially when the sensor is not properly bonded to the structure.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic sensor with a buffer material is locally bonded to the flexible filament structure using a thermoplastic, thermoset resin, or adhesive to ensure efficient strain transfer, maintaining flexibility and allowing for accurate strain measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical fiber sensor is adequately coupled or connected to the flexible filament structure, then strain transfer and measurement accuracy improve, but flexibility of the structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between optical fiber and flexible filament structure is segmented into discrete local bonding zones rather than continuous bonding. This allows strain transfer at specific locations while leaving other portions flexible and unbonded, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and structural flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer material properties are optimized locally at bonding interfaces to maximize strain coupling efficiency, while the bulk of the flexible filament structure maintains its original flexible properties. This local optimization enables accurate strain measurement without compromising overall flexibility.
2Measurement precision
If buffer material is used to bond fiber optic sensor to flexible filament structure, then strain coupling efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer material acts as an intermediary substance between the optical fiber and flexible filament structure, facilitating strain transfer through mechanical coupling. This intermediary enables effective strain coupling without requiring complex integration mechanisms, simplifying the overall device while improving measurement accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If local bonding is used to couple sensor to structure, then flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer material is pre-applied to the optical fiber before integration with the flexible filament structure. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning and coupling characteristics are established during manufacturing, reducing the precision requirements for subsequent assembly steps while maintaining flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise detection of strain, damage location, and applied forces on flexible filament structures, maintaining their flexibility and enhancing the accuracy of structural health monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The local bond created between the fiber optic sensor and the flexible filament structure transfers strain from the flexible filament structure to the optical fiber sensor so that the strain on the flexible filament structure can be accurately measured
Implementation Method 2
The buffer material may include for example one or more of: a thermoplastic, a thermoset resin, an adhesive
Implementation Method 3
a thermoplastic, a thermoset resin, an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a flexible filament structure, and a fiber optic sensor with a buffer material that locally bonds the fiber optic sensor to the flexible filament structure to create a bond between the fiber optic sensor and the flexible filament structure to transfer strain from the flexible filament structure to the fiber optic sensor to allow the fiber optic sensor to detect strain on the flexible filament structure while maintaining flexibility in the flexible filament structure. A fiber optic interrogator may be optically coupled to the fiber optic sensor and configured to measure strain. A method comprises embedding a fiber optic sensor with a buffer material in or on a flexible filament structure. Thereafter, the buffer material is activated via heating or curing to locally adhere the fiber optic sensor to the flexible filament structure to create a local bond. The local bond transfers strain from the flexible filament structure to the fiber optic sensor.