Triboluminescent Fiber Patch for Structural Health Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites used in structural applications, such as wind turbines and bridges, face challenges in monitoring load and structural health due to susceptibility to low velocity impact damage and the need for continuous, real-time monitoring without altering material properties or requiring external power sources for sensors.
Innovation Solution
Triboluminescent optical fiber sensors (TOFPress) are used to monitor load and structural health by embedding triboluminescent materials within optical fibers, which emit light when stressed, allowing for surface attachment and real-time detection of mechanical events without the need for external power, enabling quasi-distributed load information and damage monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If triboluminescent materials are embedded within optical fibers to enable real-time monitoring, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines triboluminescent materials directly within the optical fiber structure, merging the sensing function with the light transmission function. This integration allows the optical fiber to simultaneously guide light and detect structural health events through triboluminescent emission, improving measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of separate sensor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The triboluminescent optical fiber sensor is self-powered, utilizing mechanical energy from structural events (impacts, fractures, loading) to generate triboluminescent light emission. This eliminates the need for external power sources or batteries, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining high measurement precision for real-time structural health monitoring.
2Reliability
If sensors are embedded in FRP composites for continuous monitoring, then reliability is improved, but the material properties and composition are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an adhesive layer as an intermediary between the FRP composite structure and the triboluminescent optical fiber sensor. This adhesive mediator enables reliable attachment and stress transfer for accurate damage detection, while the sensor remains on the surface rather than being embedded within the composite, thereby preserving the original material properties and composition of the FRP structure.
3Ease of operation
If traditional sensors with external power sources are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of energy increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The triboluminescent optical fiber sensor generates its own signal through triboluminescent emission caused by mechanical stress from structural events. This self-powered mechanism eliminates batteries or external power sources, reducing energy loss and maintenance requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through passive detection of structural health events.
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 TOFPress sensors provide high signal-to-noise ratio for pressure and fracture monitoring, allowing for continuous, real-time structural health assessment without altering material properties, reducing maintenance costs, and enhancing safety and control in structural applications.
Implementation Method 1
triboluminescent materials within optical fibers, which emit light when stressed
Implementation Method 2
triboluminescent optical fiber sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor that can be used for real time monitoring of load and structural health in engineering structures is provided. The sensor may include a patch with a portion of an optical fiber embedded therein. There may also be triboluminescent materials dispersed within the patch, on and/or near the portions of the optical fiber embedded in the patch. There may be micro-excitors located in proximity to the triboluminescent materials and on the surface of the optical fiber. Loading events and/or damage to the monitored structure may result in a triboluminescent emission from the triboluminescent material that can be guided via the optical fiber. Analysis of the triboluminescent emission may provide information on the magnitude of the applied load as well as the occurrence, severity and location of damage in the structure.