Weaved distributed fiber optic sensor system (DIFOS) for global strain measurements in parachute broadcloth fabrics

Abstract

Smart textiles, also known as smart fabrics, in combination with automated intelligence (AI) technology are revolutionizing our world because of their ability to sense, communicate, conduct energy, and self-Transform providing a new sense of intelligence reality to our daily lives similar to the human body's nerve system capability to sense and react to its local environment. Over the past years our research group at Redondo Optics and support collaborators have been working on developing novel methods for weaving fiber optic sensors within high performance synthetic textile materials used in the manufacturing of "Smart" fabrics, ropes, and cables. Specifically, our group has investigated and developed automated manufacturing techniques for weaving and braiding glass and plastic optical fiber sensors within the strands and yarns of the produced textiles. The weaved fiber sensors-Microbend and FBGs Strain and Temperature, DCS and DBS Chemical and Biological-And support wearable electronics and power are used to monitor stress, strain, fatigue, load and movement, temperature, pressure, respiration and hearth rates, and body sweat chemical and biological constituents, and to transmit this information in real time to wearable communication devices for global dissemination to key intelligence sources. In the paper we provide on-going results on the use of the DIFOS technology for the global measurement of strain in high performance applications such as supersonic parachute canopies and strength member ropes, to jet fighter arresting gear cables in aircraft carriers.