Method and system for double-ended optical fibre sensing

摘要

A technique for utilizing an optical fibre in a variety of sensing applications and environments by beneficially routing the optical fibre. A continuous optical fibre is created, for example by fusion splicing an optical fibre loop 46 to the ends 44 of a pair of optical fibres 42 in a cable to provide optical continuity between two ends of the optical fibre. The loop is then inserted into a housing 48. Alternatively, an optical fibre turnaround may be provided by placing in insert in a tube and deforming the tube in the region of the insert to create a region in the tube having a span greater than the internal diameter of the tube (figures 4 to 6). A method of pretesting optical fibres for use to form the optical fibre loop is also disclosed. Optical continuity is created with the assistance of an optical turnaround constructed in a simple, dependable form able to control the bend of the optical fibre as it extends through the optical turnaround.