Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc

Center for Innovative Technology

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

David A Kapp

Kent A Murphy

Richard O Claus

Bernd D Zimmermann

The present invention pertains to a strain sensor. The strain sensor is comprised of an optical wave guide, a device for providing optical pulses to the optical wave guide and a device for sensing localized strain in the optical waveguide. The sensing device determines shifts in arrival times of the optical pulses at the sensing device that correspond to the localized strain. The apparatus includes a light source, a light detector, and a waveguide connecting the source with the detector. The apparatus also includes means for generating light pulses from the source through the waveguide and means for repeatedly propagating at least one of the light pulses in a closed loop. The light source detects arrival times of the light pulses.

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Blacksburg, VA, United States of America

David A Kapp