The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 09, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 03, 2000
Mahmoud A. El-Sherif, Narbeth, PA (US);
Dina M. El-Sherif, Narbeth, PA (US);
Calvin K. Lee, Needham, MA (US);
Photonics Laboratories, Inc., Narberth, PA (US);
Abstract
A system and method for evaluating flexible structures such as textiles under load generally. A specific embodiment is shown for parachutes. A plurality of first sensors and second sensors are attached to the parachute on its canopy and suspension lines. Preferred first sensors are fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) type sensors, and preferred second sensors are modal power distribution (MPD) type sensors. A fiber optic network interconnects the pluralities of first and second sensors to provide sensor outputs which are converted to electronic signals, modulated and transmitted to a receiving station for receiving and processing the transmitted modulated electronic signals. The preferred fiber optic network includes a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned at one end of each fibers and a photodiode array positioned to receive light from each of the fibers. The transmitter acquires the output as data, processes and RF modulates the signal to enhance the signal to noise ratio and prepares it for wireless transmission. The signal may be recorded or read-out before modulation. The preferred receiving station demodulates the received signal enhances the output signal before read-out or recording.