REAL-TIME NON-LINEAR OPTICAL STRAIN GAUGE SYSTEM

摘要

A system for measuring strain includes an optical fiber having a central portion secured between two fixed points. A first light source outputs light at a first frequency and a second light source outputs light at a second different frequency. The two light sources are both coupled to a first end of the optical fiber. A back scatter detector is also coupled to the first end to receive a return light signal from the optical fiber and outputs a signal based thereon. A forward scatter detector is coupled to a second end of the optical fiber to receive a forward light signal from the optical fiber and outputs a signal based thereon. A processor receives the signals from the back scatter detector and the forward scatter detector and generates an output signal proportional to the strain between the two fixed points based on the received signals.

主权项

1. A system for measuring strain between two fixed points, comprising:
an optical fiber having a first end, a second end, and a central portion secured between the two fixed points; a first light source outputting a light signal having predetermined characteristics and a first frequency and coupled to the first end of the optical fiber; a second light source outputting alight signal having the same predetermined characteristics and a second frequency different from the first frequency and coupled to the first end of the optical fiber; a back scatter detector coupled to the first end of the optical fiber for receiving a return light signal from the optical fiber and for outputting a signal based thereon; a forward scatter detector coupled to the second end of the optical fiber for receiving a forward light signal from the optical fiber and for outputting a signal based thereon; and a processor coupled to receive the signals from the back scatter detector and the forward scatter detector, the processor configured to generate an output signal proportional to the strain between the two fixed points based on the signals from the back scatter detector and the forward scatter detector.