Fiber optic wall shear stress sensor
AssigneesLuna Innovations Incorporated, VA Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
InventorsWade J. Pulliam, Joseph A. Schetz, Mark E. Jones, Kent A. Murphy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber optic wall shear stress sensor is presented. The sensor comprises a floating head supported by a physical arrangement. At least one optical fiber is positioned in an operable relationship to the floating head wherein an interferometric region is formed between the floating head and each optical fiber. The interferometric region changes in response to a shear force on the floating head.
Claims37
A fiber optic wall shear stress sensor comprising:
- a floating head supported by a physical arrangement;
- and
- at least one optical fiber positioned in an operable relationship to the floating head wherein an interferometric region is formed between the floating head and each optical fiber and wherein the interferometric region changes in response to a shear force on the floating head.
A fiber optic wall shear stress sensor comprising:
- a floating head supported by a physical arrangement;
- a reflector positioned in an operable relationship to the floating head, wherein the reflector moves in response to the floating head;
- and
- at least one optical fiber positioned in an operable relationship to the reflector, wherein an interferometric region is formed between each optical fiber and the reflector and wherein the interferometric region changes in response to a shear force on the floating head.
A fiber optic wall shear stress sensor comprising:
- a floating head supported by a first end of a cantilever beam;
- a reflector attached to a second end of the cantilever beam wherein the reflector moves in response to the floating head;
- first and second optical fibers positioned in an operable relationship to the reflector wherein an interferometric region is formed between the first and second optical fibers and the reflector wherein the interferometric region changes in response to a shear force on the floating head;
- and
- a housing surrounding the floating head;
- cantilever beam;
- reflector;
- and the first and second optical fibers.
A process for measuring wall shear stress with a fiber optic sensor, the process comprising the steps of:
- providing a fiber optic wall shear stress sensor comprising a floating head supported by a physical arrangement;
- and at least one optical fiber positioned in an operable relationship to the floating head wherein an interferometric region is formed between the floating head and each optical fiber and wherein the interferometric region changes in response to a shear force on the floating head;
- directing light through the optical fiber;
- exposing the fiber optic wall shear stress sensor to a fluid flow wherein the floating head is deflected causing a change in the interferometric region and light is reflected back through the optical fiber;
- and
- measuring the change in the interferometric region and correlating the measurement to a wall shear stress.
A process for measuring wall shear stress with a fiber optic sensor, the process comprising the steps of:
- providing a fiber optic wall shear stress sensor comprising a floating head supported by a physical arrangement;
- a reflector positioned in an operable relationship to the floating head, wherein the reflector moves in response to the floating head;
- and at least one optical fiber positioned in an operable relationship to the reflector, wherein an interferometric region is formed between each optical fiber and the reflector and wherein the interferometric region changes in response to a shear force on the floating head;
- directing light through the optical fiber;
- exposing the fiber optic wall shear stress sensor to a fluid flow wherein the floating head is deflected wherein a change in the interferometric region occurs and wherein the light is reflected from the reflector back through the optical fiber;
- and
- measuring the change in the interferometric region and correlating the measurement to a wall shear stress.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.