Patent Publication Number: US 6442316 B1
Title: Stress sensor based on periodically inserted color-changing tactile films to detect mishandling of fiber optic cables
Filing Date: December 21, 2000
Priority Date: December 21, 2000
Inventor(s): Mike Rossi, Nicholas V. Nechitailo
Original Assignee / Applicant(s): Alcatel
Link to Patent: US6442316B1Summary:
The fibre optic cable disclosed by this invention uses Fujifilm Prescale�, of Sensor Products Inc., in order to detect areas on a fiber optic cable where excessive loads have been applied or experienced. In this invention, Fujifilm Prescale� is used to detect both the smallest (0.2 MPa) and largest possible (130 MPa) pressure and force experienced during manufacturing and installation of fiber optic cables. Fujifilm Prescale� is a pressure-sensitive film that changes color in response to and in proportion to the pressure exerted to it. Strips of Fujifilm Prescale� are inserted at regular intervals within a fibre optic cable and the pressure profile is ascertained from the color changes observed in the film strips. The present invention teaches using Fujifilm Prescale, MS�Medium Pressure, LW�Low Pressure, LLLW�Ultra Super Low Pressure (0.2 to 0.6 MPa), LLW�Super Low Pressure, MW and HS�High Pressure, Tactile Pressure Measuring Films and Pressurex� films in association with the Pressurex� Micro Imaging System, in one or more of its embodiments.