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Title: Embedded sensor having an identifiable orientation

Abstract

An apparatus and method is described wherein a sensor, such as a mechanical strain sensor, embedded in a fiber core, is "flagged" to identify a preferred orientation of the sensor. The identifying "flag" is a composite material, comprising a plurality of non-woven filaments distributed in a resin matrix, forming a small planar tab. The fiber is first subjected to a stimulus to identify the orientation providing the desired signal response, and then sandwiched between first and second layers of the composite material. The fiber, and therefore, the sensor orientation is thereby captured and fixed in place. The process for achieving the oriented fiber includes, after identifying the fiber orientation, carefully laying the oriented fiber onto the first layer of composite, moderately heating the assembled layer for a short period in order to bring the composite resin to a "tacky" state, heating the second composite layer as the first, and assembling the two layers together such that they merge to form a single consolidated block. The consolidated block achieving a roughly uniform distribution of composite filaments near the embedded fiber such that excess resin is prevented from "pooling" around the periphery of the fiber.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. 31 Portola Ct., Danville, CA 94506
  2. 840 Cabot Ct., San Carlos, CA 94070
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
874589
Patent Number(s):
6420696
Assignee:
Bennett; Thomas E. (31 Portola Ct., Danville, CA 94506); Nelson; Drew V. (840 Cabot Ct., San Carlos, CA 94070)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01D - MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
embedded; sensor; identifiable; orientation; apparatus; method; described; mechanical; strain; fiber; core; flagged; identify; identifying; flag; composite; material; comprising; plurality; non-woven; filaments; distributed; resin; matrix; forming; planar; subjected; stimulus; providing; signal; response; sandwiched; layers; captured; fixed; process; achieving; oriented; carefully; laying; layer; moderately; heating; assembled; period; bring; tacky; assembling; merge; form; single; consolidated; block; roughly; uniform; distribution; near; excess; prevented; pooling; periphery; composite material; uniform distribution; /250/

Citation Formats

Bennett, Thomas E, and Nelson, Drew V. Embedded sensor having an identifiable orientation. United States: N. p., 2002. Web.
Bennett, Thomas E, & Nelson, Drew V. Embedded sensor having an identifiable orientation. United States.
Bennett, Thomas E, and Nelson, Drew V. Tue . "Embedded sensor having an identifiable orientation". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/874589.
@article{osti_874589,
title = {Embedded sensor having an identifiable orientation},
author = {Bennett, Thomas E and Nelson, Drew V},
abstractNote = {An apparatus and method is described wherein a sensor, such as a mechanical strain sensor, embedded in a fiber core, is "flagged" to identify a preferred orientation of the sensor. The identifying "flag" is a composite material, comprising a plurality of non-woven filaments distributed in a resin matrix, forming a small planar tab. The fiber is first subjected to a stimulus to identify the orientation providing the desired signal response, and then sandwiched between first and second layers of the composite material. The fiber, and therefore, the sensor orientation is thereby captured and fixed in place. The process for achieving the oriented fiber includes, after identifying the fiber orientation, carefully laying the oriented fiber onto the first layer of composite, moderately heating the assembled layer for a short period in order to bring the composite resin to a "tacky" state, heating the second composite layer as the first, and assembling the two layers together such that they merge to form a single consolidated block. The consolidated block achieving a roughly uniform distribution of composite filaments near the embedded fiber such that excess resin is prevented from "pooling" around the periphery of the fiber.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002}
}

Works referenced in this record:

A fiber optic sensor for transverse strain measurement
journal, September 1999


Health monitoring of an adhesive joint using a multiaxis fiber grating strain sensor system
conference, January 1999

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