Fiber Optic System For Detecting Forces On And Measuring Deformation Of An Anthropomorphic Test Device

A control box for receiving signals from at least one sensor located within at least one optical fiber detecting forces on a body part of an anthropomorphic test device, said control box being capable of withstanding impacts to the anthropomorphic test device, said control box comprising:

• a base, side panels and end panels secured to said base, and a top secured thereto defining an enclosure;
• a power supply disposed within the enclosure;
• a controller disposed within the enclosure and mounted to one of said end panels and connected to said power supply;
• a plurality of interrogators disposed within the enclosure and mounted to one of said base and said side panels and in communication with said controller and,
• a plurality of ports supported in said control box for connecting to each of the optical fibers;
• and
• a plurality of emitters disposed within said enclosure and operatively communicating with said ports for emitting a light having a predetermined band of wavelengths through the optical fiber to be reflected by the sensors and detected by said interrogator such that changes to the reflected light indicate a strain on said at least one body part.

A system for detecting forces during a collision test on at least one of a vehicle, a testing stand, and/or an anthropomorphic test device, said system comprising:

• a plurality of components having inner and outer surfaces and forming a part of at least one of the vehicle, the testing stand, and/or the anthropomorphic test device;
• at least one optical fiber supported by and in contact with at least one of said components, said optical fiber extending between a first end and a second end and comprising a plurality of sensors disposed between said ends;
• an emitter in communication with said optical fiber for emitting a light having a predetermined band of wavelengths through said optical fiber that is reflected by said sensors;
• and
• an interrogator in communication with said optical fiber for detecting said reflected light from said sensor such that changes to the reflected light indicate a strain on said component.