As a result of many years of experience in a wide range of applications, Epsilon Optics have accumulated considerable expertise in the design and manufacture of sensors and their deployment methods. This enables the supply of sensors that not only perform accurately and reliably in the operating environment, but are also easy to install in the case of existing structures, or easily integrated into the manufacturing process in the case of new structures. By pre-connectorising the sensor arrays and interconnecting cable, the optical elements of an installation becomes almost "plug & play".
This expertise and know-how is equally applicable to sensors designed to work with TDM or WDM type FBG interrogators. Epsilon Optics can supply and support either type in order to suit the requirements of the particular application. We have a number of international patents which cover sensor embedment, temperature sensors and discrete fibre optic sensing devices. |
Surface Bonded Sensor Patches
Embedded Sensors
Discrete Sensing Devices
TDM & WDM Interrogators
Surface Bonded Sensor Patch
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Key Features
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Sensor Patch Cable Ruggedisation
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Key Features
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Kevlar reinforced pigtail. |
Aviation grade kevlar reinforced pigtail. |
PVC Coated micro-stainless steel flexible conduit. |
PU Tube with Kevlar reinforced Pigtail. |
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Silicon Coated Steel Flexible Conduit |
Stainless Steel Braid Hydraulic Hose. |
Stainless steel flexible conduit with kevlar reinforced pigtail. |
Stainless steel flexible conduit with loose Tube. |
Continuous Sensor Arrays
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Key Features
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Manufacturing the sensors in a chain array simplfies installation minimising the amount of cabling required and minimises installation time. The chain arrays can be stored on a reel that can be simply unrolled as each subsequent sensor is being installed.The arrays often consist of a chain of strain sensors interupted by the occasional temperature compensation sensor. The distance between each sensor and the interconnecting cable and optical connectors to the interrogator can all be specified. |
Embedded Sensors:
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Key FeaturesEmbedded Sensors:
Sensors Veil:
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Whilst not being as robust as a surface bonded sensor patch, the Sensor Veil is resilient enough to be installed with confidence by a suitably trained laminator. In this way the entire array which may include many sensors can be accurately positioned in the laminate stack The Sensor Veil concept is suitable for pre-preg, wet lay-up, vacuum infusion, resin transfer moulding and similar processes. Where closed moulds are being used there will need to be provision made for the cable exit. Where a vacuum bag is used the Sensor Veil can be combined with one of our surface mounted connector housings located on the final laminate under the vacuum bag. |
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Sensor Veil Array (dry un-impregnated), |
The ingress/egress point of the optical fibre from the composite can be particularly vulnerable to damage both during manufacture and subsequent use if not properly engineered. To address this problem Epsilon Optics has developed a number of connector enclosures suitable for surface mounting and being fully compatible with most production processes (vacuum bagging, autoclave, vacuum infusion etc.). The enclosures are supplied complete with a blanking cap ensuring the cleanliness of the optical connector throughout the manufacturing process.
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Surface Mount Connectors:
The optical fibre and its FBGs are mounted within a composite carrier which is shaped such that it can be locked or clamped to the structure. The carrier follows the changes in shape of the parent structure and thus measures the loads applied to it. A number of variations have been developed including sensors for detecting cracks and for measuring displacements of civil engineering structures. They have also been used on complex metallic structures such as aircraft landing gear. |
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Micro-Tenex © pultruded rod sensor | In-axle sensor for aircraft landing gear | Long Guage Length Displacement Sensor |
Click here to contact us to discuss requirements |
Discrete Sensing Devices:
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Epsilon Optics has worked with a number of manufacturers of composite components to successfully embed optical sensors and has developed techniques for all common composite manufacturing processes including: |
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Note: A number of trials have been conducted by several of our Aerospace customers, comparing the strength and resistance to fatigue of components, with and without Epsilon Optics embedded sensors. Provided the sensors are embedded in accordance with Epsilon Optics best practice, no measureable knock-down in performance was detected. |