Abstract: An optical voltage sensor assembly includes an input fiber-optic collimator positioned and configured to collimate input light beam from a light source. A crystal material is positioned to receive the input light beam from the light source and configured to exhibit the Pockels effect when an electric field is applied through the crystal material. An output fiber-optic collimator is positioned to receive an output light beam from the crystal material and configured to focus the output light beam from the crystal onto a detector. Methods of using the optical voltage sensor assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the present technology relates to a safety cable vibration monitoring system. The system includes a vibration sensor configured to be coupled to a safety cable. A vibration monitoring computing device is coupled to the vibration sensor. The vibration monitoring computing device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor which is configured to execute one or more programmed instructions comprising and stored in the memory to receive data from the vibration sensor. An occurrence of a fall event related to use of the safety cable is determined based on the received data from the vibration sensor. A method of monitoring a safety cable and a safety cable monitoring network are also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the present technology relates to an optical electric field sensor device. The device includes a non-conductive housing configured to be located proximate to an electric field. A voltage sensor assembly is positioned within the housing and includes a crystal material positioned to receive an input light beam from a first light source through a first optical fiber. The crystal material is configured to exhibit a Pockels effect when an electric field is applied when the housing is located proximate to the electric field to provide an output light beam to a detector through a second optical fiber. An optical cable is coupled to the housing and configured to house at least a portion of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The first light source and the detector are located remotely from the housing. A method of detecting an electric field is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical tap device. The optical tap device includes a cylinder having a rigid outer surface. A ferrule is configured to be located within the outer surface of the cylinder. The ferrule includes an inner chamber extending along a length of the ferrule. An emitter fiber and at least one tap fiber are located within the inner chamber. The emitter fiber is positioned within the inner chamber to be located at a central axis of a light source abutting the ferrule and the at least one tap fiber is positioned within the inner chamber to be located radial to the central axis of the light source abutting the ferrule. An optical feedback system and a method of providing optical feedback are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical voltage sensor assembly includes an input fiber-optic collimator positioned and configured to collimate input light beam from a light source. A crystal material is positioned to receive the input light beam from the light source and configured to exhibit the Pockels effect when an electric field is applied through the crystal material. An output fiber-optic collimator is positioned to receive an output light beam from the crystal material and configured to focus the output light beam from the crystal onto a detector. Methods of using the optical voltage sensor assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical voltage sensor assembly includes an input fiber-optic collimator positioned and configured to collimate input light beam from a light source. A crystal material is positioned to receive the input light beam from the light source and configured to exhibit the Pockels effect when an electric field is applied through the crystal material. An output fiber-optic collimator is positioned to receive an output light beam from the crystal material and configured to focus the output light beam from the crystal onto a detector. Methods of using the optical voltage sensor assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical voltage sensor assembly includes an input fiber-optic collimator positioned and configured to collimate input light beam from a light source. A crystal material is positioned to receive the input light beam from the light source and configured to exhibit the Pockels effect when an electric field is applied through the crystal material. An output fiber-optic collimator is positioned to receive an output light beam from the crystal material and configured to focus the output light beam from the crystal onto a detector. Methods of using the optical voltage sensor assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An opto-electronic telemetry device includes a housing having an analog optical conversion device located therein. The analog optical conversion device is configured to convert an optical signal to a digital facsimile. A sensor cable is coupled to the analog optical conversion device within the housing and at least one optical sensor located external to the housing. The sensor cable receives the optical signal from the at least one optical sensor and provides the optical signal to the analog optical conversion device. A method of making a modular opto-electronic telemetry device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A photonic pressure sensor device includes a cantilever pivotally attached to a fixed mount. The cantilever has an electromagnetic reactive material located thereon that is configured to cause a movement of the cantilever based on a photonic pressure exerted on the electromagnetic reactive material from an electromagnetic radiation source incident on the material. An etalon is coupled to the cantilever such that a position of the etalon changes based on the movement of the cantilever. A light source is optically coupled to the etalon to provide a light beam to the etalon. The change in the position of the etalon causes interference of the light within the etalon resulting in an interference light beam. A light detector is positioned to receive the interference light beam from the etalon and configured to measure an intensity value for the interference light beam.

Abstract: An optical voltage sensor assembly includes an input fiber-optic collimator positioned and configured to collimate input light beam from a light source. A crystal material is positioned to receive the input light beam from the light source and configured to exhibit the Pockels effect when an electric field is applied through the crystal material. An output fiber-optic collimator is positioned to receive an output light beam from the crystal material and configured to focus the output light beam from the crystal onto a detector. Methods of using the optical voltage sensor assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wind turbine condition monitoring system includes a light source configured to produce an emitted light beam and a plurality of optical sensors configured to be positioned on a wind turbine to receive the emitted light beam from the light source. The optical sensors are configured to generate one or more product light beams from the emitted light beam. A detector is positioned to receive the product light beams generated from the optical sensors and is configured to measure intensity values of the product light beams for the optical sensors. A computing device is coupled to the detector and includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor executes programmed instructions stored in the memory to determine, based on the intensity values for the product light beams for the optical sensors, at least a displacement value, a current value, and a voltage value for the wind turbine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system comprising a light source configured to produce an emitted light beam. An etalon is positioned to receive the light beam and is configured to generate a plurality of product light beams. The etalon is mounted to a support structure at one or more pivot points. A detector is positioned to receive and configured to measure intensity values for the product light beams. A computing device is coupled to the detector. The computing device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor so that the processor executes programmed instructions stored in the memory to determine, based on the measured intensity values, a change in position of the etalon relative to the one or more pivot points. Also disclosed are methods for measuring the vibration and monitoring the condition of an object utilizing the system.

Abstract: A power transmission tower condition monitoring system includes a plurality of sensors configured to be positioned at a plurality of separate locations on the power transmission tower. The plurality of sensors includes at least one tilt sensor, at least one shock sensor, and at least one vibration sensor. One or more detectors are configured to receive intensity value data from the plurality of sensors. A computing device is coupled to the one or more detectors and includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor executes programmed instructions stored in the memory to receive the intensity value data from the one or more detectors. A current operational health for the power transmission tower is determined based on the received intensity value data. A method for monitoring a condition of a power transmission tower using the power transmission tower condition monitoring system is also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the present technology relates to an optical electric field sensor device. The device includes a non-conductive housing configured to be located proximate to an electric field. A voltage sensor assembly is positioned within the housing and includes a crystal material positioned to receive an input light beam from a first light source through a first optical fiber. The crystal material is configured to exhibit a Pockels effect when an electric field is applied when the housing is located proximate to the electric field to provide an output light beam to a detector through a second optical fiber. An optical cable is coupled to the housing and configured to house at least a portion of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The first light source and the detector are located remotely from the housing. A method of detecting an electric field is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present technology relates a transformer condition monitoring system including a light source configured to produce an emitted light beam. A plurality of optical sensors are configured to be positioned at a plurality of separate locations on a transformer, receive the light beam from the light source, and generate product light beams from the emitted light beam. A detector is positioned to receive the product light beams from the optical sensors and is configured to measure intensity values of the product light beams for each of the optical sensors. A computing device is coupled to the detector and includes a processor coupled to a memory. The processor executes programmed instructions stored in the memory to determine, based on the measured intensity values for the product light beams for the optical sensors, at least a displacement value, a current value, and a voltage value for the transformer.

Abstract: A wind turbine condition monitoring system includes a light source configured to produce an emitted light beam and a plurality of optical sensors configured to be positioned on a wind turbine to receive the emitted light beam from the light source. The optical sensors are configured to generate one or more product light beams from the emitted light beam. A detector is positioned to receive the product light beams generated from the optical sensors and is configured to measure intensity values of the product light beams for the optical sensors. A computing device is coupled to the detector and includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor executes programmed instructions stored in the memory to determine, based on the intensity values for the product light beams for the optical sensors, at least a displacement value, a current value, and a voltage value for the wind turbine.

Abstract: An integrated optical collimator device includes an optical fiber extending from a first end to a second end. The first end of the optical fiber is configured to be coupled to a light source or a light receiver. A housing is coupled to the ferrule and extends radially over the ferrule. A collimating lens is positioned in the housing proximate the second end of the optical fiber. A polarizer element is positioned within the housing proximate the collimating lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical tap device. The optical tap device includes a cylinder having a rigid outer surface. A ferrule is configured to be located within the outer surface of the cylinder. The ferrule includes an inner chamber extending along a length of the ferrule. An emitter fiber and at least one tap fiber are located within the inner chamber. The emitter fiber is positioned within the inner chamber to be located at a central axis of a light source abutting the ferrule and the at least one tap fiber is positioned within the inner chamber to be located radial to the central axis of the light source abutting the ferrule. An optical feedback system and a method of providing optical feedback are also disclosed.

Abstract: A photonic pressure sensor device includes a cantilever pivotally attached to a fixed mount. The cantilever has an electromagnetic reactive material located thereon that is configured to cause a movement of the cantilever based on a photonic pressure exerted on the electromagnetic reactive material from an electromagnetic radiation source incident on the material. An etalon is coupled to the cantilever such that a position of the etalon changes based on the movement of the cantilever. A light source is optically coupled to the etalon to provide a light beam to the etalon. The change in the position of the etalon causes interference of the light within the etalon resulting in an interference light beam. A light detector is positioned to receive the interference light beam from the etalon and configured to measure an intensity value for the interference light beam.

Abstract: An opto-electronic telemetry device includes a housing having an analog optical conversion device located therein. The analog optical conversion device is configured to convert an optical signal to a digital facsimile. A sensor cable is coupled to the analog optical conversion device within the housing and at least one optical sensor located external to the housing. The sensor cable receives the optical signal from the at least one optical sensor and provides the optical signal to the analog optical conversion device. A method of making a modular opto-electronic telemetry device is also disclosed.