Support Element with Magnetic Attachment for Optical Fiber Sensor for Monitoring Railway Traffic

The article introduces an innovative support element for an optical fiber sensor utilizing a Fabry-Pérot interferometer (FPI) designed for monitoring railway traffic. This removable support element, attached to the bottom of the railway track using permanent magnets, allows for repeated installation and relocation without compromising the sensor's functionality. The support element's metallic structure, magnetic attachment to the rail, and the bonding of the sensing optical fiber ensure adequate protection against environmental conditions. Tested on a railway track for one year, the sensor demonstrated stable positioning and consistent signal detection during the passage of train formations. This design, while tailored for FPI sensors, offers versatile application potential for other optical fiber sensors leveraging fiber Bragg gratings.