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Title: Measurement of large strains in ropes using plastic optical fibers

Abstract

A method for the direct measurement of large strains in ropes in situ using a plastic optical fiber, for example, perfluorocarbon or polymethyl methacrylate and Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer or other light time-of-flight measurement instrumentation. Protective sheaths and guides are incorporated to protect the plastic optical fiber. In one embodiment, a small rope is braided around the plastic optical fiber to impose lateral compressive forces to restrain the plastic optical fiber from slipping and thus experience the same strain as the rope. Methods are described for making reflective interfaces along the length of the plastic optical fiber and to provide the capability to measure strain within discrete segments of the rope. Interpretation of the data allows one to calculate the accumulated strain at any point in time and to determine if the rope has experienced local damage.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
~Individually Owned Patent
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1175650
Patent Number(s):
6999641
Application Number:
10/430,058
Assignee:
Williams, Jerry Gene; Smith, David Barton; Muhs, Jeffrey David
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
D - TEXTILES D07 - ROPES D07B - ROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01D - MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION

Citation Formats

Williams, Jerry Gene, Smith, David Barton, and Muhs, Jeffrey David. Measurement of large strains in ropes using plastic optical fibers. United States: N. p., 2006. Web.
Williams, Jerry Gene, Smith, David Barton, & Muhs, Jeffrey David. Measurement of large strains in ropes using plastic optical fibers. United States.
Williams, Jerry Gene, Smith, David Barton, and Muhs, Jeffrey David. Tue . "Measurement of large strains in ropes using plastic optical fibers". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1175650.
@article{osti_1175650,
title = {Measurement of large strains in ropes using plastic optical fibers},
author = {Williams, Jerry Gene and Smith, David Barton and Muhs, Jeffrey David},
abstractNote = {A method for the direct measurement of large strains in ropes in situ using a plastic optical fiber, for example, perfluorocarbon or polymethyl methacrylate and Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer or other light time-of-flight measurement instrumentation. Protective sheaths and guides are incorporated to protect the plastic optical fiber. In one embodiment, a small rope is braided around the plastic optical fiber to impose lateral compressive forces to restrain the plastic optical fiber from slipping and thus experience the same strain as the rope. Methods are described for making reflective interfaces along the length of the plastic optical fiber and to provide the capability to measure strain within discrete segments of the rope. Interpretation of the data allows one to calculate the accumulated strain at any point in time and to determine if the rope has experienced local damage.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2006},
month = {2}
}