Optical fiber based sensor system suitable for monitoring remote aqueous infiltration

Abstract

A method of monitoring the integrity of a hull of an aircraft or a submarine comprising placing an optical fiber network over at least an outer portion of a hull and connecting fiber optic cable instrumentation and a light source to said optical fiber network and, monitoring the integrity of the hull using the instrumentation and the light source.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of monitoring the integrity of a hull of an aircraft or a submarine comprising:
 a) placing an optical fiber network over at least an outer portion of a hull;   b) connecting fiber optic cable instrumentation and a light source to said optical fiber network; and,   c) monitoring the integrity of the hull using the instrumentation and the light source.   
     
     
         14 . The method of monitoring as set forth in  claim 13 , comprising the step of:
 a) placing an optical fiber network over at least an outer portion of the hull includes placing a fiber optic net over said at least an outer portion of the hull and beneath a protective tile assembly.   
     
     
         15 . The method of monitoring as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 a) said optical fiber network includes at least one sensor; and   b) said sensor includes at least one of a humidity sensor and a corrosion sensor.   
     
     
         16 . The method of monitoring as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 a) upon installation of said optical fiber network an initial baseline calibration is determined.   
     
     
         17 . The method of monitoring as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein;
 a) said baseline calibration is used to compare against subsequent testing to determine if changes to hull integrity are observed.   
     
     
         18 . A hull integrity monitoring apparatus comprising:
 a) a network of optical fibers arranged over at least a portion of a hull;   b) an outer covering of tiles over said at least a portion of a hull and covering said optical fibers; and,   c) a light source and fiber optic instrumentation connected to said network.   
     
     
         19 . The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising;
 a) a sensor assembly for detecting defects in said outer covering of tiles.   
     
     
         20 . The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein;
 a) said sensor assembly is capable of reporting damage to said hull.   
     
     
         21 . The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising;
 a) a sensor assembly for detecting hull deformation.   
     
     
         22 . The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising;
 a) an FRP layer formed over said sensor assembly to form a composite FRP sensor assembly in which said sensor assembly is embedded within said FRP layer.   
     
     
         23 . The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in  claim 18  further comprising:
 a) a corrosion detector including a light emitter and a light detector, 
 b) wherein, the extent of corrosion is determined by comparing an amount of light received by said light detector and comparing an amount of light transmitted by the light emitter. 
 
     
     
         24 . The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in  claim 18  wherein:
 a) said sensor assembly includes optical sensors having light transmissive and optical refractive characteristics which change when exposed to water. 
 
     
     
         25 . The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in  claim 18  wherein:
 a) said sensor assembly includes optical sensors having light transmissive and optical refractive characteristics which change when exposed to chemicals.