# US 2023/0266554 A1 · System for applying pre-strain to an optical sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0266554 A1 - Document ID: US20230266554A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/138,929 - Filed: 2023-04-25 - Published: 2023-08-24 - Earliest claimed: 2021-04-20 - Assignees: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated - Applicants: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated - Inventors: Jacob N. Chamoun - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230266554A1 ## CPC - G01D 5/35377: {Means for amplifying or modifying the measured quantity} - G01L 1/246: {using integrated gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings} - G02B 6/022: {using mechanical stress, e.g. tuning by compression or elongation, special geometrical shapes such as "dog-bone" or taper (G02B6/02204 takes precedence; optical modulation using photo-elastic effect G02F1/0131)} - G02B 6/4415: {Cables for special applications (G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence)} - G02B 6/4458: {Coiled, e.g. extensible helix} - G02B 6/47: {Installation in buildings} - G01B 11/16: for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge - G01D 5/35316: {using a Bragg gratings} - G02B 2006/12138: {Sensor} - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS ## Abstract An apparatus has a chassis having a base. A first wall extends substantially perpendicularly from the base at a first edge of the base. The first wall is configured to be a first attachment point for an optical cable comprising one or more optical sensors. An opposing second wall extends substantially perpendicularly from the base at a second edge of the base. A mobile attachment point is configured to be a second attachment point for the optical cable. A spring is coupled to the second wall and the mobile attachment point. The spring is configured to provide a specified force as the mobile attachment point moves. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a first side configured to be a first attachment point for an optical cable comprising one or more optical sensors; an opposing second side configured to be a second attachment point for the optical cable; a pivot point coupled to the first side and the second side; a first clamp coupled to the first side configured to attach the optical fiber to the first side; a second clamp coupled to the second side configured to attach the optical fiber to the second side; and a screw extending between the first side and the second side, wherein tightening the screw increases a tension of the optical fiber and untightening the screw decreases the tension of the optical fiber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a force sensor disposed between the screw and one or both of the first side and the second side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the force sensor is configured to measure a specified pre-strain applied to the optical cable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising an encoder configured to facilitate application of a specified pre-strain to the optical cable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second clamps comprise mechanical clamping mechanisms. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second clamps comprise adhesive clamping mechanisms. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second clamps comprise magnetic clamping mechanisms. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second clamps comprise vacuum clamping mechanisms. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the screw comprises a micrometer screw. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the screw is arranged to cooperate with a reduction gear to change the tension of the optical fiber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus defines a tweezers apparatus. ### Claim 12 An apparatus, comprising: a first side configured to be a first attachment point for an optical cable comprising one or more optical sensors; an opposing second side configured to be a second attachment point for the optical cable; a pivot point coupled to the first side and the second side, wherein the first side, the second side, and the pivot point define a tweezers apparatus; a first clamp coupled to the first side configured to attach the optical fiber to the first side; a second clamp coupled to the second side configured to attach the optical fiber to the second side; a screw extending between the first side and the second side, wherein tightening the screw increases a tension of the optical fiber and untightening the screw decreases the tension of the optical fiber; and a force sensor disposed between the screw and one or both of the first side and the second side. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the force sensor is configured to measure a specified pre-strain applied to the optical cable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, comprising an encoder configured to facilitate application of a specified pre-strain to the optical cable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second clamps comprise mechanical clamping mechanisms. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second clamps comprise adhesive clamping mechanisms. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second clamps comprise magnetic clamping mechanisms. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second clamps comprise vacuum clamping mechanisms. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the screw comprises a micrometer screw. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the screw is arranged to cooperate with a reduction gear to change the tension of the optical fiber.