US 12,422,317 B2
Fiber optic sensor egress/ingress ruggedization for flexible woven structures
Osgar John Ohanian, III, Blacksburg, VA (US); James Craig Kitchin, Salem, VA (US); and Susan Mae Rankin Pope, Christiansburg, VA (US)
Assigned to Luna Innovations Incorporated, Roanoke, VA (US)
Filed by Luna Innovations Incorporated, Roanoke, VA (US)
Filed on Mar. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/128,365.
Prior Publication US 2024/0328877 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
Int. Cl. G01L 1/24 (2006.01); D03D 1/00 (2006.01); D03D 11/00 (2006.01); D03D 15/547 (2021.01)
CPC G01L 1/242 (2013.01) [D03D 1/0088 (2013.01); D03D 11/00 (2013.01); D03D 15/547 (2021.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a flexible woven structure including an egress and/or ingress location at an external surface of the flexible woven structure;
a fiber optic sensor embedded in the flexible woven structure to allow the fiber optic sensor to detect one or more of strain, temperature, vibration, acoustics, 3-dimensional shape, and/or pressure on the flexible woven structure, where the fiber optic sensor extends out of the flexible woven structure at the egress and/or ingress location for connection to a connector or a termination;
first thread stitches that fasten the fiber optic sensor to the external surface of the flexible woven structure near the egress and/or ingress location;
a reinforcement patch covering the egress and/or ingress location and a portion of fiber optic sensor that extends out of the flexible woven structure at the egress and/or ingress location; and
second thread stitches that fasten the reinforcement patch to the external surface of the flexible woven structure.