Kidde IP Holdings Limited

Kenneth Thomas Victor Grattan

Tong Sun

Weizhong Zhao

A method and device for sensing spatial variations and/or temperature variations in the locality of a fiber optic cableis disclosed, wherein a broadband light sourceis used to shine incident light onto a series of fiber Bragg gratings contained within zones A, B and C. Each zone contains a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings, the plurality of fiber Bragg gratings in any one zone having a substantially identical grating period, and the fiber Bragg gratings in the respective zones having different grating periods. The reflected light from each fiber Bragg grating is returned back down the fiber optic cableand redirected via a 2&#xd7;1 couplerto a wavelength detection systemand a personal computer. The combination of wavelength detection systemand personal computerallow analysis of the reflected light patterns, as well as providing a user interface which enables detection of the occurrence of a spatial and/or a temperature variation. The location of the said variation along the fiber optic cableis advantageously detectable in terms of the particular zone A, B or C in which the said variation has been sensed.

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Uxbridge, United Kingdom

Kenneth Thomas Victor Grattan