US 12,253,555 B2
Systems, methods and tools for the interrogation of composite strength members
Xiaoyuan Dong, Johns Creek, GA (US); William Webb, Laguna Niguel, CA (US); Christopher Wong, Santa Ana, CA (US); and Ian Pilling, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (US)
Assigned to CTC Global Corporation, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by CTC GLOBAL CORPORATION, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/637,329.
Application 18/637,329 is a continuation of application No. 16/963,118, granted, now 11,977,109, previously published as PCT/US2019/019853, filed on Feb. 27, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/807,298, filed on Feb. 19, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/786,271, filed on Dec. 28, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/635,626, filed on Feb. 27, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0272217 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. G01R 31/08 (2020.01); B24D 13/14 (2006.01); G02B 6/02 (2006.01); H01B 3/08 (2006.01); H01B 7/18 (2006.01); H01B 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 31/085 (2013.01) [B24D 13/14 (2013.01); H01B 3/08 (2013.01); H01B 7/1805 (2013.01); H01B 9/005 (2013.01); H01B 9/008 (2013.01); G02B 6/02395 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for the interrogation of an elongate fiber-reinforced composite strength member, the strength member comprising at least a first strength element, the strength element comprising a binding matrix and a plurality of reinforcing fibers operatively disposed within the binding matrix to form a fiber-reinforced composite, and at least a first optical fiber embedded in the fiber-reinforced composite and extending along a length of the fiber-reinforced composite, the method comprising the steps of:
operatively attaching a light transmitting device to a first end of the strength member, the light transmitting device comprising a light source that is operatively connected to a power source;
operatively attaching a light detecting device to a second end of the strength member;
transmitting light from the light source into a first end of the first optical fiber and towards the light detecting device, where the transmitted light is incoherent; and
detecting the transmitted light by the light detecting device through a second end of the first optical fiber.