There is disclosed a sensor assembly and a method of sensing. The sensor assembly is for sensing a property associated with a structure of interest. The sensor assembly includes an elongate member constructed and arranged so as to be capable of assuming a structure-engaging form in which it is resil
There is disclosed a sensor assembly and a method of sensing. The sensor assembly is for sensing a property associated with a structure of interest. The sensor assembly includes an elongate member constructed and arranged so as to be capable of assuming a structure-engaging form in which it is resiliently biased such that the member can engage with and grip the structure along at least part of the length of the member, and, at least one sensor supported by the elongate member.
대표청구항▼
1. A sensor assembly for sensing a property associated with a structure of interest, the assembly comprising: an elongate member constructed and arranged to have a structure-engaging form, wherein, in the structure-engaging form, the elongate member is resiliently biased such that the elongate membe
1. A sensor assembly for sensing a property associated with a structure of interest, the assembly comprising: an elongate member constructed and arranged to have a structure-engaging form, wherein, in the structure-engaging form, the elongate member is resiliently biased such that the elongate member engages with and grips said structure along at least part of the length of the elongate member, wherein a longitudinal extent of the elongate member is at least 5 times a transverse extent of the elongate member when in the structure-engaging form; and,at least one fibre optic sensor fixed to the elongate member and extending longitudinally along the elongate member, wherein the sensor assembly grips and follows a length of the structure as the structure bends or deforms and so allows the fibre optic sensor to sense a property associated with that length of the structure. 2. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member is formed from a sheet-like material having first and second longitudinal edges that is folded in on itself longitudinally to form a tube or a longitudinal section of a tube when the elongate member is in the structure-engaging form. 3. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein in transverse cross section the structure-engaging form of the elongate member subtends an angle of at least 180 degrees. 4. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein in transverse cross section the structure-engaging form of the elongate member subtends an angle of about 360 degrees. 5. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein in transverse cross section the structure-engaging form of the elongate member subtends an angle of more than 360 degrees. 6. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein in transverse cross section the structure-engaging form of the elongate member is generally curved. 7. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member is constructed and arranged so that the elongate member is progressively flattenable and windable about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the elongate member to form a coil so as to be reversibly configurable between a coiled form and an extended form, wherein the extended form is the structure-engaging form. 8. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein both longitudinal opposed ends of the elongate member are open ended so that the elongate member is configured to engage with and grip said structure along the full length of the elongate member. 9. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member is formed from a bistable material having a first stable form, wherein in the first stable form the elongate member is coiled and generally flat in cross section, and a second stable form, wherein in the second stable form the elongate member is extended and has the structure-engaging form. 10. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member is constructed and arranged to be reversibly attachable to said structure. 11. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member is formed from a laminate of at least two layers and said sensor is positioned between two of the layers. 12. A sensor assembly according to claim 1, comprising electronic apparatus in communication with the sensor arranged to provide at least one of: i) a data logging system to allow readings from the sensor to be logged system and ii) a data transmitting system to allow readings from the sensor to be transmitted to remote receiving apparatus. 13. A method of sensing a property associated with a structure of interest using a sensor assembly, the method comprising: engaging an elongate member of the sensor assembly with the structure of interest, the elongate member being resiliently biased such that the elongate member engages with and grips the structure along at least part of a length of the elongate member, wherein a longitudinal extent of the elongate member is at least 5 times a transverse extent of the elongate member when in the structure-engaging form; and,sensing a property associated with the structure with at least one fibre optic sensor fixed to the elongate member and extending longitudinally along the elongate member, wherein the sensor assembly grips and follows a length of the structure as the structure bends or deforms and so allows the fibre optic sensor to sense a property associated with that length of the structure. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein engaging the elongate member with the structure comprises progressively engaging the elongate member with the structure along the length of the elongate member. 15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the elongate member is constructed and arranged so that the elongate member is progressively flattenable and windable about an axis extending transversely to a longitudinal extent of the elongate member to form a coil so as to be reversibly configurable between a coiled form and an extended form, the method comprising: progressively unwinding the sensor assembly from the coiled form and engaging the extended portion with the structure. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the elongate member is formed from a bistable material having a first stable form when the elongate member is in the coiled form and a second stable form when the elongate member is in the extended form. 17. A method according to claim 13, wherein the elongate member is formed from a sheet-like material having first and second longitudinal edges and when engaged with the structure the elongate member forms a tube or a longitudinal section of a tube, wherein engaging the elongate member with the structure comprises: separating the longitudinal edges of the elongate member;moving the sensor assembly into position next to the structure; and,allowing the resiliency of the elongate member to cause the elongate member to engage with and grip the outside surface of the structure. 18. A method according to claim 13, comprising securing the sensor assembly to the structure at one or more points along the length of the elongate member to keep the sensor assembly in position longitudinally on the structure. 19. A method according to claim 13, comprising removing the sensor assembly from the structure. 20. A method according to claim 13, where the step of sensing with the sensor comprises at least one of: a) sensing temperature;b) sensing pressure;c) sensing vibration;d) sensing stress; ande) sensing strain of the structure.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Carome Edward F. (Cleveland OH), Fiber optic sensor with dual condition-responsive beams.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.