Impact location determination on thin laminated composite plates using an NIR-FBG sensor system

An integration of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) into composite structures contribute towards the development of smart composites structure. Smart-structure offers an ability have a continuous and real-time information of its circumstances under critical loading applications. One of the main objectives in this research study was the development of the Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor system for SHM of thin composite laminates. Not only that, this work has been utilizing the FBG sensors in the Near Infra-red (NIR) range; ∼830 nm, as an alternative to the applications of the conventional 1550 nm FBG sensors. The capability of this sensor system was validated with the impact location determination test on a thin composite plate. It showed a very promising result whereby the relative error falls below 10%.     

Measurement of CFRP elastic modulus based on FBG reflectance spectrum analysis

Based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) reflectance spectrum analysis, one novel method to measure the elastic modulus of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) is proposed. Basic theory of the novel method is that CFRP uniform cantilever beam produces linear gradient strain which leads to FBG reflectance spectrum broadening under external loadings. Calculation model of the basic theory is put forward and validated by finite element method (FEM) simulation. In order to obtain actual data about the relationship between elastic modulus and FBG reflectance spectrum, experiment of CFRP uniform cantilever beam under external loadings is implemented. The experiment spectrum corresponding to external weight 20 g is chosen as the specimen to explain data processing procedure by self-adaptive method. 3 dB bandwidth and center wavelength of FBG are selected as the reference indexes in the procedure. Elastic modulus of CFRP which is used in the experiment is extracted and its value is 6.617 GPa. To validate the correctness of the elastic modulus, contrastive analyses between transmission matrix theory calculation and experiment spectrums with external weights 5 g and 10 g are also carried out. Absolute errors of 3 dB bandwidth and center wavelength in the comparison are all less than 5 pm which prove the feasibility and correctness of this novel elastic modulus measurement method.     

Feasibility assessment of magnetic resonance-thermometry on pancreas undergoing laser ablation: Sensitivity analysis of three sequences

Laser ablation (LA) is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of tumors as an alternative to surgical resection. The light absorbed by tissue is converted into heat, and causes irreversible cell damage when temperatures higher than 60 °C are reached. The knowledge in real time of temperature may be particularly beneficial for adjusting laser settings applied during treatment and to be notified in real time about its end-point. As a consequence, several techniques for temperature monitoring within the tissue have been investigated along the last decades. In the field of LA, particularly attractive are non-invasive methods. Among these techniques, thermometry based on the analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR-thermometry) has gaining large acceptance in this field. MR-thermometry allows estimating the temperature variation thanks to the thermal dependence of several MRI parameters, among others the most promising are T₁ relaxation time, and proton resonance frequency shift.The aim of this study is to assess the sensitivity of MRI thermometry using three T₁-weighted sequences (i.e., Inversion Recovery Turbo-FLASH, IRTF, Saturation Recovery Turbo-FLASH, SRTF, and FLASH) using an 1.5-T MR scanner on healthy swine pancreases undergoing LA. The reference temperature was measured by MRI-compatible fiber optic sensors (fiber Bragg grating sensors). The sensitivity of the proposed techniques was estimated and compared. The thermal sensitivity of the three sequences was −1.47 ± 0.08 °C⁻¹, −0.95 ± 0.05 °C⁻¹, and −0.56 ± 0.04 °C⁻¹ for IRTF, SRTF and FLASH, respectively. Results show that the proposed technique may be adequate for temperature monitoring during LA.     

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.     

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%。     

High-precision and high-speed positioning of 100 G linear synchronous motor

The present paper describes a moving permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (MPM LSM) that can move with an acceleration above 100 G (=980 m/s²), and is also capable of high-precision and high-speed positioning. The MPM LSM consists of a mover including permanent magnets and a double-sided electromagnet stator. It can produce a thrust of 4.56 × 10³ N and has a working range wider than 1 m. The MPM LSM mover is improved for light weight and is driven using a suitable phase lead for flux weakening. The combination of the improved mover and the suitable phase lead provides motion at an acceleration above 100 G and a velocity above 12 m/s. The positioning characteristics of the improved MPM LSM are examined using a controller with two suitable phase lead functions. The control system shows a positioning accuracy and a positioning resolution of 500 nm, which is similar to the vibration amplitude of the sensor output in open loop. In 300-mm step positioning, the improved MPM LSM shows an acceleration above 660 m/s² and a velocity above 8.3 m/s. It takes less than 101 ms to reduce the positioning error to less than 5 μm. The temperature rise during positioning is also examined experimentally. Continuous positioning for longer than 30 minutes increases the temperature of the MPM LSM, but by less than 6 °C.     

Cost effective refractive index sensor based on optical fiber micro cavities produced by the catastrophic fuse effect

We propose a refractive index optical fiber sensor based on the micro cavities generated through the fiber catastrophic fuse effect. This sensor was tested in the measurement of solutions with refractive indices ranging from 1.3320 to 1.4280. The linear dependence of the reflection spectra modulation period as function of the surrounding environment refractive index leads to a resolution of 3 × 10⁻⁴ RIU. The proposed sensor is an innovative solution based on optical fiber damaged by the fuse effect, resulting in a cost effective solution.     

一种倾角及温度同时测量的光纤传感器

叙述了一种用于倾斜角及温度同时测量的传感器。该传感器由光纤锥和光纤布拉格光栅构成,当传感器倾角发生改变时引起光纤锥的通光损耗改变,通过测量通光损耗的变化而测量倾角,通过测量光纤光栅的反射波长的变化而实现温度测量,此外光纤布拉格光栅还有提高倾角测量灵敏度的作用。     

Design and Analysis of MEMS Comb Drive Capacitive Accelerometer for SHM and Seismic Applications

This work presents the design of a MEMS accelerometer that is specifically intended for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications where sensing low frequency low amplitude accelerations with high resolution is essential. The surface micromachined comb drive capacitance accelerometer structure has been considered in this design. The simulation experiments conducted on these devices using IntelliSuite MEMS design tool show that it has excellent displacement sensitivity of 21.39 μm/g, a capacitive sensitivity of 1.22 pF/g and voltage sensitivity of 1783 mV/g/V when it is designed to measure 0–0.1 g. Further, it is seen that it has a very low noise floor of 1.32 μg/√Hz and therefore high resolution. Since the accelerations can be as low as 0.04 g in SHM applications, excellent resolution is the primary goal in this design. Further, one more sensor specifically meant for strong motion seismic application has also been reported. This device has a bandwidth of 0–250 Hz and a noise floor of 5.612 μg/√Hz in addition to a sensor level voltage sensitivity of 97.9 mV/g/V. Finally, the comparison of these results with other similar devices reported in the past clearly illustrates the comparable performance of the present devices. Further, these devices, unlike the commercial low frequency accelerometers and other similar devices reported in the past can be fabricated by surface micromachining and CMOS compatible processes.     

An orifice meter for bidirectional air flow measurements: Influence of gas thermo-hygrometric content on static response and bidirectionality

This paper presents the design and calibration of an ISO non-compliant orifice plate flowmeter whose intended use is for respiratory function measurements in the bidirectional air flow range ±9 L/min.The novelty of the proposed sensor consists of a plate beveled in both upstream and downstream sides: a symmetrical geometry is adopted in order to perform bidirectional measurements of flow rate. A mathematical model is introduced to quantify the influence of temperature on the sensor output. Four different positions of the pressure static taps are evaluated in order to maximize bidirectionality. An index is also introduced in order to quantitatively estimate the anti-symmetry of the sensor's response curve.Trials are carried out to evaluate the influence on sensor output of air temperatures (22 °C, 30 °C and 37 °C) at different values of relative humidity (5%, 55% and 85%). Experimental data show a quite good agreement with the theoretical model (R²>0.98 in each condition).The influence of air temperature on the sensor output is minimized by introducing a correction factor based on the theoretical model leading to measurement repeatability better than 2% in overall range of calibration. The mean sensitivity in the calibration range is about 2 kPa L⁻¹·min allowing to obtain a sensor discrimination threshold lower than 0.2 L/min in both directions. The time constant of the whole measurement system, equal to 2.40±0.03 ms, leads to a bandwidth up to 80 Hz making the sensor suitable for respiratory function measurements.     

Simultaneous distributed measurement of the strain and temperature for a four-point bending test using polarization-maintaining fiber Bragg grating interrogated by optical frequency domain reflectometry

We demonstrate a simultaneous distributed strain and temperature measurement technique with the spatial resolution of 1 mm using fiber Bragg gratings inscribed in a polarization-maintaining and absorption-reducing fiber (PANDA-FBGs) and optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR). We conduct four-point bending tests in an environmental chamber. Using high birefringent PANDA-FBGs that are manufactured specifically for the simultaneous measurements, the uniform temperature distributions and the typical strain distribution profiles of the four-point bending tests were successfully obtained. The measurement errors of strain were from −31 με to 19 με, and of temperature were from −0.9 °C to 1.3 °C. The spatial standard deviation was 7.5 με and 0.9 °C. We also discussed the effect of the residual strain of the sensor-bonding procedures and the data averaging.     

两点封装的光纤布拉格加速度传感器设计

提出了一种双半孔梁光纤布拉格光栅(FBG)加速度传感器实现加速度信号测量的方法.首先,建立了两点封装FBG的加速度传感模型,理论分析了加速度与位移敏感点的线性响应.其次,从理论上分析了两点封装方案中FBG的自振特性,讨论了封装光纤的长度和预应力对光纤自振频率的影响.最后,依据FBG的自振特性设计了FBG加速度传感器,并通过实验研究了FBG加速度传感器的线性响应和幅频响应特性.实验结果表明:提出的传感器在10～250 Hz具有较好的平坦区,加速度响应灵敏度为41.2pm/G;加速度与波长具有较好的线性关系,线性度为99.8％.同时,该加速度传感器具有较强的方向抗干扰性,轴向交叉灵敏度小于4.8％.     

The design of polyaniline based sensor for the qualitative estimation of malonaldehyde

The detection of contaminated food in every stage of processing required new technology for fast identification and isolation of toxicity in food. Since effect of food contaminant are severe to human health, the need of pioneer technologies also increasing over last few decades. In the current study, MDA was prepared by hydrolysis of 1,1,3,3-tetramethoxypropane in HCl media and used in the electrochemical studies. The electrochemical sensor was fabricated with modified glassy carbon electrode with polyaniline. These sensors were used for detection of sodium salt of malonaldehyde and observed that a high sensitivity in the concentration range ∼1 × 10⁻¹ M and 1 × 10⁻² M. Tafel plots show the variation of over potential from − 1.73 V to − 3.74 V up to 10⁻⁵ mol/L indicating the lower limit of detection of the system.     

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。     

Design and characterization of a real-time,wearable, endosomatic electrodermal system

This paper presents the design and characterization of a compact wearable system for long-term assessment of skin potential response, with the aim of monitoring mental stress in a variety of applications. Literature reports that the expected skin potential has peak-to-peak amplitudes of few millivolts in the frequency band [0.1, 10] Hz. The designed system is characterized by a slightly wider bandwidth of [0.08, 40] Hz, and it is based on a 12-bit ADC working with a sampling rate of 200 Sa/s, which can be increased up to 3.5 kSa/s. Data can be continuously acquired for up to 40 h with a battery of 3.7 V/1800 mAh. A Graphical User Interface was also developed for the host computer in .NET framework. The system, to our knowledge the first example of wearable endosomatic electrodermal activity sensor, joins to several skin conductance wearable measuring systems recently proposed in literature, and opens up opportunities for future comparisons of endosomatic and exosomatic responses in real life.The device is thoroughly characterized in accordance with the state-of-the-art of the metrological research in the field.     

A new method for resolving the influence of circular birefringence in FBG weak pressure sensor

Ideally, there is a linear relationship between the max of PDL and pressure in FBG weak pressure sensor. However, the linear relationship has been broken down because of the cross sensitivity about the circular birefringence and pressure. In this paper, the relative PDL was proposed to solve the cross sensitivity problem. For different circular birefringences, the experimental results show the same pressure sensitivity value of 2.29 dB/(N/nm). The theoretical analysis and experimental results prove that the proposed method can solve the cross-sensitivity problem in FBG weak pressure sensor. This research can provide useful information to practical application.     

Gasoline level sensor based on displacement sensor using fiber coupler

A simple and fire safe gasoline level sensor has been designed based on displacement sensor using fiber coupler. The sensing principle is to detect displacement of reflector, which is attached to membrane (reflector displacement device), due to the change of gasoline hydrostatic pressure. The displacement of reflector can be detected using fiber coupler from the change of optical power light reflected by the reflector. Three kinds of reflector displacement device used in this experiment are one-layer, two-layer, and three-layer membrane. The experimental results are 0–180 cm of dynamic range, 100–140 cm of linear range, 3.2 mV/cm of sensitivity, and 0.6 cm of resolution for reflector displacement device with one-layer membrane for emptying the tank process. The hysteresis data for emptying and filling the tank process yields the mean of difference 20% for one-layer membrane.     

Nano force sensing using symmetric double stage micro resonator

A new approach is proposed to improve a graphical approach with considering intensity coupling loss coefficients in the analytical derivation of the optical transfer functions for a symmetric double stage vertically coupled microring resonator. An optimum transmission coupling condition is determined with considering terms of couplers intensity loss which leads to low insertion loss of 1.2 dB, finesse of 1525, the out of band rejection ratio of 61.8 dB. The resonating system is used as an optical force sensing system to make the benefit of the accuracy of measurements in micro and nano scales. The sensitivity of proposed force sensor in terms of wavelength-shift is 33 nm/nN and the limit of detection is 1.6 × 10⁻² nN. The proposed sensing system has the advantages of self-calibration and the low power consumption due to the low intensity.     

Techniques for DFB Fiber Laser Based Accelerometer

A distributed feedback fiber laser based Bragg grating vibration sensor system is proposed.Demodulated by using an unbalanced M-Z interferometer,experiment demonstrates that the system runs at a sensing sensitivity of about 257.2 rad·s2/m and a resolution of 4.2×10-5 m/s2 for monitoring acceleration.Experimental results show that the phase-shift changes with the acceleration linearly.     

Optical fiber distributed temperature sensor using short term Fourier transform based simplified signal processing of Raman signals

A simplified technique using short term Fourier transform to reduce the errors in distributed temperature measurement with a Raman scattering based optical fiber sensor system is presented. The two main sources of errors are differential attenuation to anti-Stokes and Stokes signal by fiber and local change in Stokes due to change in temperature. The proposed technique compensates these errors and extracts correct temperature profile in spite of practical difficulties encountered in applying the theoretical concept. Moreover proposed technique is less complex, self-reliant, can tolerate variation in laser power, requires less dead zone and suits automation using embedded solution. Results of measurement carried out, using the system developed at RRCAT, Indore, for two hot zones having spatial width of 1.9 m (kept at 56 °C) and 1.5 m (kept at 78 °C), located at 47 m and 85 m respectively, show that these parameters can be recovered with significantly small errors.