Polarization Maintaining Photonic Crystal Fiber sensor embedded in carbon composite for structural health monitoring

Use of Polarization Maintaining Photonic Crystal Fiber (PMPCF) for structural health monitoring (SHM) of composites has been proposed and demonstrated for accurate strain measurement with very negligible temperature sensitivity. Further, this newly proposed sensor has been compared with the conventional Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor used for SHM. It is established that the embedded PMPCF in carbon composite is the better choice with enhanced strain sensitivity and less temperature sensitivity compared to the embedded FBG sensor.     

Small diameter fiber Bragg gratings and applications

Small diameter optical fibers are preferred in sensing systems as they have less influence on mechanical performance of smart composite. The static and dynamic monitoring capabilities of the small-diameter fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) are experimentally studied in this paper. Firstly, a small-diameter FBG is used as a strain sensor. Secondly, a temperature sensor is fabricated using a specific FBG. Thirdly, a simple sensing system is proposed in order to discriminate temperature at sensing point. Finally, utilization of these small diameter FBGs for vibration monitoring is discussed. The experiments revealed that the central wavelengths of the small-diameter fiber Bragg gratings shift linearly with strain or temperature. The FBG is more sensitive than a thermocouple inside the thermostat. Acquisition and analysis of the dynamic signal indicates that the designed FBG can be used for dynamic signal monitoring.     

基于桥梁结构的FBG传感器温度与应变交叉敏感问题的研究

对光纤布拉格光栅(FBG)传感器在桥梁结构健康监测中产生的温度与应变交叉敏感问题进行了研究。采用参考光纤光栅法在应变传感光纤光栅附近额外加入一个温度测量光纤光栅,对应变光栅实现温度补偿功能。设计了基于参考光纤光栅法的FBG传感器及FBG传感器封装的机械结构,并通过实验来验证FBG传感器的性能。实验数据表明,温度传感光纤光栅几乎不受应变的影响,应变传感光栅的中心波长变化与温度变化呈一阶线性关系,修正后的测量结果更加精确,达到了双参数同时测量的目的,应变与布拉格波长的线性关系非常好,相关系数达到0.99以上。参考光纤光栅法能够很好地解决FBG传感器温度与应变交叉敏感的问题。     

光纤Bragg光栅靶式流量传感器设计

基于工业流体流量测量技术、光纤布拉格光栅(fiber Bragg grating,FBG)传感检测技术与靶式流量计原理,针对单个光纤Bragg光栅传感系统对温度交叉敏感的问题,设计并且制作了一种基于双光纤Bragg光栅流量传感器。该传感器采用靶盘结构作为光纤Bragg光栅流量传感器的受力元件,对温度起到了补偿作用,并且有效地提高了应变测量灵敏度。实验表明,该流量传感器的线性误差为0.31%。     

Simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature by integrating an external Fabry-Perot cavity with a fiber Bragg grating

A fiber sensor for simultaneous measurements of refractive index and temperature based on the integration of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with an external Fabry-Perot (F-P) cavity is presented. The fringe contrast of the interference spectrum generated by the F-P cavity is used to determine the external refractive index, while the wavelength shift of the FBG is used to measure temperature. The result showed that the refractive index and temperature sensitivity for the integrated sensor is 8.1 × 10(-6) and 0.01006 nm/°C, respectively.     

Monitoring corrosion of reinforcement in concrete structures via fiber Bragg grating sensors

Corrosion of steel and rebar in concrete structures is one of the most frequent reasons for civil infrastructure failures. Thus, improving the effective corrosion sensor technology can greatly reduce cost and provide safe structures with long service lives. However, assessing the corrosion condition of rebars is not simple because they are buried in concrete. In this paper, using fiber Bragg grating (FBG), a corrosion sensor for monitoring steel rebars embedded in a concrete structure is developed and validated by experiments. Based on the fact that the volume and diameter of a rebar embedded in concrete will enlarge due to corrosion, an FBG packaged with fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) is wrapped on the steel bar. During corrosion, the increase in the bar diameter leads to the increase in fiber strain, which can be measured by the shift of the wavelength of FBG. Performances of the corrosion sensor are validated by accelerating corrosion in lab experiments. The corrosion sensor is embedded in a concrete specimen put in a 5% sodium chloride solution with a constant current. Experimental results show that the corrosion sensor can monitor the concurrence of corrosion of rebars in concrete. The corrosion extent can be quantitatively evaluated through the change in the wavelength of FBG. Therefore, the corrosion sensor developed in this paper is feasible for monitoring the early corrosion of rebars in concrete.     

Simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain by combining a fiber Bragg grating and the pigtail fiber covered with epoxy resin

A fiber sensor for simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain based on a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with the pigtail fiber covered with epoxy resin is presented. The side mode suppression ratio of the FBG will vary with the temperature due to the Fresnel reflection from the interface between the pigtail fiber and the epoxy resin whose refractive index is sensitive to the temperature. The sensor is also capable of simultaneous measurement temperature and strain by combining the Bragg wavelength shift characteristics as the temperature and strain of the FBG.     

柔性曲面形状检测传感网络设计

针对太阳能帆板等柔性曲面检测,其动态变形检测难度大。用光纤光栅（Fiber bragg grating,FBG）设计曲面传感阵列,利用空分复用和波分复用技术构建传感网络检测系统。传感器网络的数目根据波动理论和检测仪器的最大解调范围确定;传感网络在曲面的分布根据曲面应力状况和变形特点进行植入式分布,在振幅最大的位置布置传感器,在曲面应变大的位置布置稠密,反之稀疏,根据曲面变形的有限元模型,实现模拟太阳能帆板柔性曲面传感网络设计。并对传感网络的检测精度进行试验,试验表明此传感网络中传感器检测具有良好的线性关系,传感网络中传感器布置位置合理,传感网络能够检测帆板的多种变形。传感器封装在保持40 mm的长度中,传感器测试误差仅有0.4％,柔性曲面测试误差小于4%。     

Extraction and processing of real time strain of embedded FBG sensors using a fixed filter FBG circuit and an artificial neural network

Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors have been used in the development of structural health monitoring (SHM) and damage detection systems for advanced composite structures over several decades. Unfortunately, to date only a handful of appropriate configurations and algorithm sare available for using in SHM systems have been developed. This paper reveals a novel configuration of FBG sensors to acquire strain reading and an integrated statistical approach to analyse data in real time. The proposed configuration has proven its capability to overcome practical constraints and the engineering challenges associated with FBG-based SHM systems. A fixed filter decoding system and an integrated artificial neural network algorithm for extracting strain from embedded FBG sensor were proposed and experimentally proved. Furthermore, the laboratory level experimental data was used to verify the accuracy of the system and it was found that the error levels were less than 0.3% in predictions. The developed SMH system using this technology has been submitted to US patent office and will be available for use of aerospace applications in due course.     

Multiplex and simultaneous measurement of displacement and temperature using tapered fiber and fiber Bragg grating

A simple method to work out the multiplexing of tapered fiber based sensors is proposed and demonstrated. By cascading a tapered fiber with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG), the sensor head is provided with a wavelength identification, different FBGs provide the sensor heads with different reflective peaks and they can be distinguished in optical spectrum. By compositing several such sensor heads with a multi-channel beam splitter, a star-style topological structure sensor for multipoint sensing is achieved. At the same time, the output intensity at the peak wavelength is sensitive to one external physical parameter applied on the related FBG-cascaded tapered fiber and the central wavelength of the peak is only sensitive to temperature, so that that parameter and temperature can be measured simultaneously. A sensor for dual-point measurement of the displacement and temperature simultaneously is experimentally demonstrated by using a 2 × 2 coupler in this paper. Experiment results show that the sensor works well and the largest sensitivities reach to 0.11 dB/μm for displacement in the range of 0-400 μm, and ～0.0097 nm/°C for temperature between 20 °C and 70 °C.     

一步超声法金属化封装FBG的传感特性

为解决传统胶封传感器普遍存在的蠕变、老化问题,本文提出基于一步超声法的光纤光栅表面金属化封装方法。在相同条件下分别对有聚酰亚胺涂覆层和无涂层的两种FBG进行金属化封装,研究了封装后FBG传感器的光谱、热学和力学特性,并利用扫描电子显微镜对其横截面的微观形貌进行了表征。结果表明:封装后有涂覆层FBG的反射光谱无明显畸变、边模抑制比大于10 dB,温度灵敏系数达34.63 pm/℃,应变灵敏系数为1.18 pm/με,应变传递效率达98.5%,线性度达0.999,均优于无涂层的FBG传感器。当温度从14.2℃突变到80℃经过多次冲击试验,发现金属化封装无涂层的FBG的温度增敏结构被破坏,而有涂层的FBG传感器仍保持优异的温度响应特性。SEM图显示,金属合金与有无涂覆层的光纤和金属基底都结合致密。该方法无需对光纤进行表面金属化预处理,操作简单易行,在恶劣环境、超长服役时间的光纤传感应用领域中具有重要的价值。     

Added advantages in using a fiber Bragg grating sensor in the determination of early age setting time for cement pastes

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor was used to monitor the early age curing temperatures of cement paste. Additional advantages in using the sensor were highlighted. The FBG was inscribed by a Continuous Wave 244 nm argon ion laser in the photosensitivity fiber. The fabricated FBG was calibrated from room temperature to 105 °C. In this temperature range, the FBG was found to be good in terms of both the sensitivity and linearity which were around 9 pm/°C and 99.9%, respectively. A host specimen with ratio of Portland cement, sand and water of 800, 500, and 275 ml by volume was used in the experiment. Results showed that the FBG could determine the initial and the final early age setting times. The initial early age setting time for the cement paste was about 5 h and the final early age setting time was about 14 h after casting.     

Digital monitoring and health diagnosis for mechanical equipment operation safety based on fiber Bragg grating sensor

This paper introduces fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based on a fiber optic grating sensor developed to be embedded on mechanical equipment for digital monitoring and health diagnosis. The theoretical and experimental researches on the new-style FBG sensor (FBGS) technology, high-speed demodulation, and data transmission are discussed. The transmission characteristics between the FBG and the detection interface, modeling and compensation method for online distributed multi-parameter digital monitoring and methods for data processing, synchronous sampling, and long-term dynamic digital monitoring using embedded technology are also presented. The acquired information by an FBGS can be used for the optimization of maintenance schedules and refinement of mechanical equipment design. It is a challenge to gather real-time data from components working at high speed and in a severe environment of high temperature, high pressure, and high rotation speed. Currently, there are no sensors or technologies available for digital monitoring and health diagnosis under this rigorous situation for use in mechanical engineering operation safety. As a result, this paper introduces an online distributed and integrated digital monitoring system and health diagnosis. The new principle and new method will contribute to modern measurements in science and technology, mechanical engineering, and large mechanical equipment operation safety.     

基于光纤光栅的小量程称重传感器设计

设计了一种小量程光纤布拉格光栅称重传感器,采用双孔单槽式悬臂梁型弹性体结构,并利用有限元软件ANSYS对弹性体结构进行优化设计,以满足小量程设计要求。采用四片光纤光栅布片方式,提高了传感器的灵敏度,并利用正应变和负应变的光纤光栅信号进行叠加,以补偿温度的影响。对传感器进行加载卸载实验,并对所设计的传感器进行了整体性能分析,实验结果表明,传感器的称重范围为0-4kg,线性度误差小于0.9%,温度补偿达到了一定效果,性能稳定,证明了设计方法的可行性。     

光纤光栅传感器阵列在撞击定位监测中的应用

本文提出基于半导体环形激光器的光纤传感阵列系统,用于在铝板上撞击定位监测。采用光纤法布里-珀罗(F-P)标准具对光纤布拉格光栅(FBG)传感器信号进行解调。施加在FBG传感器的应变被编码为FBG反射光的波长位移,然后由自由光谱范围为50 GHz的光纤F-P标准具转换为强度调制。通过波分复用技术,光纤F-P标准具可同时解调多个FBG信号,光纤传感阵列系统安装在厚度为1 mm的铝板上,50 g的小钢球在20 cm的高度自由下落撞击铝板产生声发射信号。利用时频小波分析,从测量的FBG传感器瞬态响应中获得的Lamb波的群速度频散曲线,并根据三角定位算法,确定撞击点的坐标。经过撞击试验,通过本系统和定位算法的平均定位精度误差在30.89 mm,达到了较好的精度。     

基于弓形梁增敏结构的FBG振动传感器研究

利用光纤光栅(FBG)随弓形梁弯曲变形的敏感特性,通过设计特制的增敏结构,研制了一种基于弯曲特性的FBG振动传感器.根据ANSYS数值分析和实验结果表明,在加速度0～5g、工作频率0～40 Hz范围内,传感器加速度特性曲线呈现良好对应关系,灵敏度可达458.1 pm/g,精度约0.002 g.该传感器系统采用双光栅形式实现了温度补偿,且在所测加速度范围内显示出较好的灵敏度和重复性,频响误差小,能够满足航空结构振动监测与控制需求.     

A review of previous studies on the applications of optical fiber sensors in geotechnical health monitoring

In recent decades, conventional electric instruments have already been widely used to monitor the performance of geotechnical structures. However, there are several inherent limitations of electric instruments for engineering including: electromagnetic interference, a large number of cables for multipoint measurement, signal loss in long distance transmission, and poor durability. Since the first Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor was fabricated in 1978, a significant progress has been made on the commercialization of optical fiber sensing technologies. In 1980s, a fully distributed sensing technology named Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (BOTDA) has been proposed and developed for measuring strain and temperature. In this paper, the authors review previous studies on the development and application of fiber optic sensors. Based on the measured strains, various analysis methods were transferred to required parameters such as displacement, force and pressure which can more directly reflect the safety of geotechnical structures under complex engineering stress condition.     

基于Android的用于光纤光栅信号解调的OCM检测系统

在光纤光栅传感系统中能够使用一台操作直观、精度高、成本低廉并且携带方便的光纤光栅信号解调仪显得尤为重要。文中将一款光道检测仪OCM(Optical Channel Monitor)应用于光纤光栅的信号测量,并在操作系统方面采用了Google Android操作系统,使用了Android NDK(Native Development Kit)和SDK(Software Development Kit)分别对linux内核和Android应用程序进行开发,实现了一种基于Android操作系统的OCM通信和控制系统,能够对光纤光栅所反射的中心波长进行实时准确的检测。     

Monitoring of sea bed level changes in nearshore regions using fiber optic sensors

This work reports the implementation and test of a pressure optical sensor suitable to measure, in situ, the sea bed level changes in the nearshore regions. The sensor is based on a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) embedded in a polymeric resin block. The increase of the pressure on the top face of the sensor, due to the change of sediments layer height, results in a change of the FBG Bragg wavelength. The sensor response reveals the capacity to discriminate sea bed level changes down to 2.5 cm, under field survey conditions. Finally, the sensor was successfully tested in a field trial survey at Costa da Caparica, Portugal.     

基于多模-单模-多模结构和光纤布拉格光栅同时测量温度和折射率

利用单模光纤(SMF)中的包层模与纤芯导模之间的干涉,提出了一种基于多模-单模-多模(MSM)结构与布拉格光栅(FBG)级联可同时测量温度和折射率的传感器.基于MSM结构的干涉谱和FBG的透射峰对温度和折射率具有不同响应灵敏度的特点,利用敏感矩阵实现了对温度和折射率的同时测量.实验测得MSM结构和FBG的温度灵敏度分别为0.055 2 nm/℃和0.015 8 nm/℃,MSM结构的折射率灵敏度为109.702 nm/RIU,而FBG对折射率变化不敏感.温度和折射率的测量精度分别为士0.32℃和士0.002 3.实验显示提出的MSM结构的温度灵敏度比单模-多模-单模(SMS)结构传感器提高了5倍,同时由于SMF中的包层模对外界环境的变化较敏感,该MSM结构也可应用于其他传感领域.