Experience the Future of Structural Monitoring with Triboluminescent Optical Fiber Sensing

Introduction

Imagine a sensor so intuitive that it lights up at the slightest hint of structural stress or damage, giving you instant, visible feedback. Our patented “Triboluminescent Optical Fiber Sensing Patch” (Patent #10386305) does just that, combining cutting-edge technology with practical application to bring you a revolutionary tool in structural health monitoring.

Why It Matters

In industries like aerospace, civil engineering, and energy, ensuring the integrity of structures is non-negotiable. Traditional sensors often require complex data analysis and may miss subtle signs of stress that could lead to serious issues down the line. That’s where our triboluminescent sensor comes in—it offers a straightforward, real-time solution that’s both reliable and easy to understand.

The Innovation

This sensing patch integrates triboluminescent materials with optical fibers, creating a sensor that visibly responds to mechanical stress or strain by emitting light. It’s like having a built-in warning system that alerts you the moment something isn’t right, without the need for intricate equipment or time-consuming analysis.

Key Benefits

Instant Feedback: Visual indication of stress or damage means you can address issues immediately, reducing downtime and preventing costly failures.
Versatility: Whether it’s embedded in an aircraft wing, a bridge, or a pipeline, this technology adapts to a wide range of applications, offering robust monitoring across different environments.
Safety and Efficiency: Early detection leads to proactive maintenance, ensuring safety and maximizing the lifespan of critical assets.

The Opportunity

Don’t settle for reactive solutions. Be proactive, be innovative, and license our triboluminescent optical fiber sensing patch today. With this technology in your arsenal, you’ll be at the forefront of the next generation of structural health monitoring.

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Abstract
Claims

A sensor that can be used for real time monitoring of load and structural health in engineering structures is provided. The sensor may include a patch with a portion of an optical fiber embedded therein. There may also be triboluminescent materials dispersed within the patch, on and/or near the portions of the optical fiber embedded in the patch. There may be micro-excitors located in proximity to the triboluminescent materials and on the surface of the optical fiber. Loading events and/or damage to the monitored structure may result in a triboluminescent emission from the triboluminescent material that can be guided via the optical fiber. Analysis of the triboluminescent emission may provide information on the magnitude of the applied load as well as the occurrence, severity and location of damage in the structure.

We claim:

1. A sensing patch comprising:

a substrate having a first side and a second side opposing the first side;

an optical fiber comprising an outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the optical fiber is at least partially embedded within the substrate;

a triboluminescent material provided on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical fiber;

micro-excitors provided on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical fiber; and

an encapsulating cover having a first side and a second side opposing the first side, wherein the first side of the encapsulating cover is attached to the second side of the substrate,

wherein the triboluminescent material is configured to provide an optical emission when subjected to an emitting condition, and wherein the optical fiber is configured to receive and transmit at least a portion of the optical emission.

2. The sensing patch of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is at least one of: (i) a polymer optical fiber; (ii) a glass-based optical fiber; (iii) a single mode optical fiber; or (iv) a multi-mode optical fiber.

3. The sensing patch of claim 1, further comprising jacket disposed over at least a segment of the optical fiber not embedded within the patch.

4. The sensing patch of claim 1, wherein the triboluminescent material comprises at least one of: (i) an epoxy, or (ii) an ultraviolet (UV)-cured polymer system with triboluminescent crystals dispersed therein.

5. The sensing patch of claim 4, wherein the triboluminescent crystals comprise ZnS:Mn crystals.

6. The sensing patch of claim 1, wherein the emitting condition arises when the triboluminescent material is at least one of: (i) stressed; (ii) pulled apart; (iii) ripped; (iv) scratched; (v) rubbed; or (vi) fractured.

7. The sensing patch of claim 1, wherein the first side of the substrate and the second side of the encapsulating cover are opaque to a characteristic wavelength of the triboluminescent material.

8. A system comprising:

a photodetector; and

a sensing patch optically coupled to the photodetector, wherein the sensing patch comprises:

a substrate having a first side and a second side opposing the first side;

an optical fiber comprising an outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the optical fiber is at least partially embedded within the substrate;

a triboluminescent material provided on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical fiber;

micro-excitors provided on at least a portion of the outer surface of the optical fiber; and

an encapsulating cover having a first side and a second side opposing the first side, wherein the first side of the encapsulating cover is attached to the second side of the substrate,

wherein the triboluminescent material is configured to provide an optical emission when subjected to an emitting condition, and wherein the optical fiber is configured to receive at least a portion of the optical emission and transmit the at least the portion of the optical emission to the photodetector.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the optical fiber is at least one of: (i) a polymer optical fiber; (ii) a glass-based optical fiber; (iii) a single mode optical fiber; or (iv) a multi-mode optical fiber.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising jacket disposed over at least a segment of the optical fiber not embedded in the patch.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the triboluminescent material comprises a polymer system with triboluminescent crystals dispersed therein.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the triboluminescent crystals comprise ZnS:Mn crystals.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the emitting condition arises when the triboluminescent material is at least one of: (i) stressed; (ii) pulled apart; (iii) ripped; (iv) scratched; (v) rubbed; or (vi) fractured.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one processor coupled to the photodetector and configured to run software and to determine an occurrence of the emitting condition.

15. A method of forming a sensing patch comprising:

providing a substrate having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side;

attaching a portion of an optical fiber comprising an outer surface to the second side of the substrate;

applying a triboluminescent material on at least a portion of the outer surface of the portion of the optical fiber;

applying micro-excitors on at least a portion of the outer surface of the portion of the optical fiber; and

applying an encapsulating cover having a first side and a second side opposing the first side, such that the first side of the encapsulating cover is attached to the second side of the substrate,

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising optically coupling the optical fiber to at least one photodetector.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the optical fiber is at least one of: (i) a polymer optical fiber; (ii) a glass-based optical fiber; (iii) a single mode optical fiber; or (iv) a multi-mode optical fiber.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the triboluminescent material is at least one of: (i) an epoxy or (ii) an ultraviolet (UV)-cured polymer system dispersed with triboluminescent crystals.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the triboluminescent crystals comprise ZnS:Mn crystals.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein an emitting condition arises when the triboluminescent material is at least one of: (i) stressed; (ii) pulled apart; (iii) ripped; (iv) scratched; (v) rubbed; or (vi) fractured.

Title

Triboluminescent optical fiber sensing patch

Inventor(s)

Okenwa Okoli, David Olawale

Assignee(s)

Florida State University Research Foundation Inc

Patent #

10386303

Patent Date

August 20, 2019