초록

A fiber-optic sensor composed of elements made of shape-memory alloy which, in one of their memorized shapes, impose a stress on the optical fiber, which stress is easy to locate with an interferometer. The multisensor configuration is thus easily reconfigurable.

대표청구항 ▼

A reconfigurable birefringent optical fiber sensor, comprising: a birefringent optical fiber supporting first and second propagating modes with first and second polarizations, respectively, in which the second polarization is different from the first polarization, and wherein there is coupling of el

A reconfigurable birefringent optical fiber sensor, comprising: a birefringent optical fiber supporting first and second propagating modes with first and second polarizations, respectively, in which the second polarization is different from the first polarization, and wherein there is coupling of electromagnetic energy between the first and second modes when the birefringent optical fiber experiences a mechanical stress or strain; a light source coupled to a first end of said birefringent optical fiber, wherein the light source excites within the optical fiber the first propagating mode with the first polarization; one or more shape-memory alloy elements, each having a transition temperature and being sensitive to a temperature, and arranged on the outside of the optical fiber, each shape-memory alloy element exerting substantially no stress or stain on the optical fiber when there is a first relationship between its transition temperature and the temperature sensed by the shape-memory alloy element and exerting a stress or strain on the optical fiber when there is a second relationship between its transition temperature and the temperature sensed by the shape-memory alloy element, wherein the stress or strain so exerted on the optical fiber by the shape-memory alloy element causes said coupling between the first and second propagating modes with the first and second polarizations, thereby allowing the light source to excite the second propagating mode with the second polarization; and means for detecting first and second propagating modes with first and second polarizations.