An optical fiber coil underwater dropping simulation system and a simulation method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses an underwater fiber coil lowering simulation system, which comprises a paying-off device and a paying-off pipeline, and a submersible fiber coil and a lifting device, and an optical time domain testing device; the paying-off device is used for paying off or winding up the fiber coil according to a predetermined winding and unwinding speed; the fiber coil of the paying-off device is inserted into one end of the paying-off pipeline and extends from the other end of the paying-off pipeline; the submersible fiber coil is connected with the other end of the paying-off pipeline; the lifting device is connected with the submersible fiber coil to realize the lifting of the submersible fiber coil in water; and the optical time domain testing device is connected with the submersible fiber coil to monitor the optical characteristics of the fiber coil. The submersible fiber coil is put into water through the lifting device and is monitored through the optical time domain testing device, so that the technical problem that there is no underwater submersible fiber coil monitoring means in the prior art is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fiber optic monitoring, and in particular to a simulation system and method for underwater lowering of fiber optic coils. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, to conduct scientific research in the deep sea, the operating depth of submersibles is constantly increasing. Long-distance fiber optic cables have become a crucial wired communication medium for ensuring command transmission and data feedback between the submersible and its mother ship. During the submersible's descent, fiber optic communication cables are continuously extracted from the fiber optic cables carried by the submersible and laid into the seawater through the submersible's cable laying pipe. The fiber optic cables are subjected to loads such as traction force, seawater fluid force, friction in the cable laying pipe, and stripping force from the fiber optic cable. If the reliability of long-distance fiber optic cable laying is insufficient, abnormal laying phenomena such as fiber unwinding and layer crossing may occur. The fiber optic cables are also prone to knotting and breakage when passing through the submersible's cable laying pipe, leading to the failure of the descent exploration mission.

[0003] Because fiber optic cable winding and bonding involves a special process for fiber optic coils, long-distance fiber deployment is subject to complex factors such as large bending and torsional deformations, bond peeling, and ocean currents. Currently, there is limited theoretical research on the mechanics of underwater fiber optic coil deployment, a lack of mature theoretical analysis methods, and insufficient guidance for engineering applications. Furthermore, practical use in submersibles presents challenges such as difficult testing methods and high testing costs. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a testing method to evaluate the performance of long-distance fiber optic coil deployment in submersibles, verifying the deployment reliability of fiber optic coil products during the development phase and mitigating application risks.

[0004] However, there is still a lack of an underwater fiber optic coil deployment simulation system and simulation method in the existing technology, which would help solve the technical problem of lacking a means of monitoring fiber optic coils in underwater submersibles to simulate fiber optic laying. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides an underwater fiber optic coil lowering simulation system, which lowers the submersible fiber optic coil into the water using a lifting device and monitors it using an optical time domain testing device. This helps to solve the technical problem of the lack of underwater submersible fiber optic coil monitoring methods to simulate fiber optic laying in the prior art.

[0006] The underwater lowering simulation system for the optical fiber coil includes a wire lowering device and a wire lowering pipe, as well as a submersible optical fiber coil and lifting device, and an optical time domain testing device.

[0007] The fiber feeding device is used to feed and take up the fiber optic cable at a predetermined fiber feeding and taking up rate.

[0008] The fiber optic cable of the cable-laying device is inserted into one end of the cable-laying pipe and extends out from the other end of the cable-laying pipe;

[0009] The submersible fiber optic cable coil is connected to the end of the fiber optic cable extending out of the cable-laying pipe.

[0010] The lifting device is connected to the submersible fiber optic coil to enable the submersible fiber optic coil to be raised and lowered in the water.

[0011] The optical time-domain testing device is connected to the fiber optic cable coil of the submersible to monitor the optical properties of the fiber optic cable.

[0012] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the optical fiber coil includes a water tank;

[0013] The line-laying device and the optical time-domain testing device are installed on the bank of the pool, and one end of the lifting device can extend into the pool.

[0014] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the optical fiber coil further includes a clamping fixture;

[0015] The clamping fixture positions the cable-laying pipe and the submersible fiber optic cable within a predetermined area.

[0016] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil further includes at least one buoy;

[0017] All of the aforementioned floats are connected in series on the line-laying pipe.

[0018] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil further includes a camera device;

[0019] The camera device is mounted on the clamping fixture.

[0020] In one embodiment, the wire feeding device includes a winding reel and a servo controller, a guide wheel system and a tension sensor;

[0021] The winding spool is wound with optical fiber wire;

[0022] The servo controller drives the winding reel to take in and release the optical fiber at the take-in and release rate.

[0023] The guide wheel system provides an extension direction that conforms to a predetermined angle by winding the optical fiber line at the winding and unwinding rate.

[0024] The tension sensor is mounted on the guide wheel system to detect the tension on the guide wheel system.

[0025] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the optical fiber coil further includes a ring clamp;

[0026] The ring clamp secures the clamping fixture to the submersible's fiber optic coil.

[0027] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the optical fiber coil further includes a coil outlet nozzle;

[0028] The cable outlet is mounted on the submersible fiber optic cable so that the cable delivery pipe is connected to the submersible fiber optic cable and has a predetermined upward length.

[0029] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for simulating the underwater lowering of an optical fiber coil, the method comprising:

[0030] The submersible fiber optic cable bundle is lowered into the pool using the lifting device, and the fiber optic cable is released at the take-up and release rate.

[0031] The optical properties of the submersible's fiber optic coil were monitored in real time using an optical time-domain testing device.

[0032] In one embodiment, before the step of lowering the submersible fiber optic cable coil into the pool using the lifting device and releasing the fiber optic cable at the take-up and release rate, the method further includes:

[0033] Turn on the camera device and the tension sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an underwater descent simulation system for fiber optic coils according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for simulating the underwater lowering of an optical fiber coil in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure label:

[0037] Wire feeding device 1

[0038] Pipeline 2

[0039] Submersible fiber optic cable coil 3

[0040] Lifting device 4

[0041] Optical Time Domain Testing Device 5

[0042] Pool 6

[0043] Enhanced tooling 7

[0044] Float 8

[0045] Camera device 9

[0046] 10 ring clamps

[0047] Winding Reel 11

[0048] Servo Controller 12

[0049] Guide wheel system 13

[0050] Tension sensor 14

[0051] 101 yarn outlet Detailed Implementation

[0052] The submersible fiber optic coil 3 is an important spatial node for fiber optic cable laying. Its location and the way the fiber optic cable enters the submersible fiber optic coil 3 are key factors to ensure that the fiber optic cable is not damaged or pulled by external forces during the laying process. Based on the above design concept, this invention provides the following design idea. In addition, more importantly, the specific simulation data during the sinking of the submersible fiber optic coil 3 is even more important.

[0053] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the underwater lowering simulation system for an optical fiber coil according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the present invention provides an underwater fiber optic coil lowering simulation system, which includes a lowering device 1 and a lowering pipe 2, a submersible fiber optic coil 3 and a lifting device 4, and an optical time domain testing device 5.

[0054] The fiber feeding device 1 is used to feed and take up optical fiber at a predetermined fiber feeding and taking up rate.

[0055] The fiber optic cable of the cable-laying device 1 is inserted from one end of the cable-laying pipe 2 and extends from the other end of the cable-laying pipe 2.

[0056] The submersible fiber optic cable 3 is connected to the end of the fiber optic cable extending from the cable delivery pipe 2;

[0057] The lifting device 4 is connected to the submersible fiber optic coil 3 to enable the submersible fiber optic coil 3 to be raised and lowered in the water.

[0058] The optical time domain testing device 5 is connected to the submersible fiber optic cable bundle 3 to monitor the optical properties of the fiber optic cable.

[0059] This embodiment provides a specific implementation of an underwater fiber optic coil deployment simulation system. The most important aspect is simulating the descent of the submersible fiber optic coil 3. The optical performance is assessed by using the deployment device 1 at a predetermined fiber optic deployment and take-up rate. To mimic the real-world fiber optic deployment process, the deployment and take-up rate is the most crucial design factor. The lifting device 4, in conjunction with the optical time-domain testing device 5, monitors the optical characteristics of the submersible fiber optic coil 3 as it descends, simulating the real-world deployment process. This helps address the technical problem of lacking existing underwater submersible fiber optic coil monitoring methods to simulate fiber optic deployment.

[0060] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the optical fiber coil includes a water tank 6;

[0061] A line-laying device 1 and an optical time-domain testing device 5 are installed on the bank of the pool 6, and one end of the lifting device 4 can be inserted into the pool 6.

[0062] In this embodiment, a specific implementation of a cable laying device 1 is provided on a water tank 6. The cable laying device 1 and the optical time domain test device 5 are placed on the bank of the water tank 6, and the extended end of the lifting device 4 can place the submersible fiber optic cable 3 connected thereon into the water tank 6 and gradually sink it. During this process, the optical time domain test device 5 continuously monitors the optical characteristics of the fiber optic cable in real time.

[0063] In one embodiment, the underwater deployment simulation system for the fiber optic coil includes a clamping fixture 7, which positions the deployment pipe 2 and the submersible fiber optic coil 3 within a predetermined area.

[0064] This embodiment provides a specific implementation of an underwater deployment simulation system for fiber optic coils with a clamping fixture 7. The clamping fixture 7 ensures that the portion of the deployment pipe 2 connecting to the submersible fiber optic coil 3 has a certain upward section to prevent severe bending at the connection point between the deployment pipe 2 and the submersible fiber optic coil 3, which could damage the deployment pipe 2 and affect the optical properties of the fiber optic cable.

[0065] In one embodiment, the underwater descent simulation system for the fiber optic coil further includes at least one buoy 8;

[0066] All floats 8 are connected in series on the line-laying pipe 2.

[0067] This embodiment provides a specific implementation method for installing a float 8 on the line-laying pipe 2.

[0068] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil further includes a camera device 9;

[0069] The camera device 9 is mounted on the clamping fixture 7.

[0070] This embodiment provides a specific implementation method for mounting a camera device 9 on the clamping fixture 7.

[0071] In one embodiment, the wire feeding device 1 includes a winding reel 11 and a servo controller 12, as well as a guide wheel system 13 and a tension sensor 14;

[0072] Optical fiber wire is wound on the winding reel 11;

[0073] Servo controller 12 drives winding reel 11 to wind and unwind optical fiber at the said winding and unwinding rate;

[0074] The guide wheel system 13 winds the optical fiber line, which is wound and unwound at the said winding and unwinding rate, to provide an extension direction that conforms to a predetermined angle;

[0075] Tension sensor 14 is mounted on guide wheel train 13 to detect tension on guide wheel train 13.

[0076] This embodiment provides a specific structure for a wire feeding device 1. The winding reel 11 is mainly used for winding optical fiber and is also the source of the optical fiber. The servo controller 12 controls the rotation speed of the winding reel 11 to wind and feed the fiber at different speeds. The guide wheel system 13 provides a certain preload to the optical fiber released from the winding reel 11 to release the optical fiber according to the set release direction and preload. The tension sensor 14 is installed on the guide wheel system 13 and detects the tension of the guide wheel system 13.

[0077] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the optical fiber coil includes an annular clamp 10;

[0078] The clamping fixture 7 is fixed onto the submersible fiber optic cable 3.

[0079] This embodiment provides a specific structure for connecting and fixing the clamping fixture 7 to the clamping fixture 7 using an annular clamp 10.

[0080] In one embodiment, the underwater lowering simulation system for the optical fiber coil further includes a coil outlet nozzle 101;

[0081] The cable outlet 101 is installed on the submersible fiber optic cable 3 so that the cable delivery pipe 2 is connected to the submersible fiber optic cable 3 with a predetermined upward length.

[0082] This embodiment provides a specific structure in which a fiber optic cable coil 3 of a submersible is provided with a cable outlet 101.

[0083] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for simulating the underwater lowering of an optical fiber coil, based on the optical fiber coil underwater lowering simulation system, the simulation method comprising:

[0084] S101, the submersible fiber optic cable 3 is lowered into the water tank 6 by the lifting device 4, and the fiber optic cable is released at the aforementioned take-up and release rate.

[0085] This step provides a specific procedure for releasing the submersible fiber optic cable bundle 3 according to the fiber optic cable's take-up and release rate using a lifting device 4. The descent depth and the release rate form a corresponding data relationship to simulate the optimal data combination.

[0086] S102, the optical characteristics of the submersible fiber optic coil 3 are monitored in real time by the optical time domain testing device 5.

[0087] This step provides a specific optical characteristic of an optical time-domain testing device 5 for real-time monitoring of the optical properties of the submersible fiber optic coil 3.

[0088] This embodiment provides a specific implementation of a method for simulating underwater deployment of an optical fiber coil. Before the experiment, the submersible's optical fiber coil 3 undergoes a visual inspection. The fixed end of the coil is led out to the shore of the pool 6 via an optical fiber patch cord. Optical characteristics such as continuity and optical loss per unit length are tested using an optical time-domain testing device 5. The free end of the optical fiber coil 3 is passed through the coil outlet 101, inserted into the deployment pipe 2, and led out from the end of the pipe. The optical fiber is led to the edge of the pool 6, passes through a guide wheel system 13, and is wound and fixed onto a winding reel 11. A tension sensor 14 is connected to one of the guide wheel shafts to test the fiber's distribution. Before the test begins, the underwater fiber optic coil 3, the laying pipe 2, and the underwater high-speed camera system (camera device 9) are lowered into the water using the lifting device 4, ensuring they are fully wetted. The rotation speed of the winding reel 11 is set using the servo controller 12, and the winding reel 11 is started to rotate, drawing the fiber optic cable from the fiber optic coil 3, thus simulating the underwater laying test. The optical characteristics of the fiber optic coil are monitored in real time using the optical time-domain testing device 5, the fiber optic cable laying pattern at the entrance of the laying pipe 2 is captured by the camera device 9, and the laying tension is recorded using the tension sensor 14. The video images are observed for any abnormalities such as fiber unwinding, layer crossing, or knotting, and the optical time-domain testing system is checked for any laying breaks or abnormal light transmission.

[0089] In one embodiment, before the submersible fiber optic cable coil 3 is lowered into the pool 6 by the lifting device 4 and the fiber optic cable is released at the take-up and release rate, the method further includes:

[0090] Turn on the camera device 9 and the tension sensor 14.

[0091] This embodiment provides a specific implementation method for activating the underwater high-speed recording system, the camera device 9, adjusting the lens, and activating the tension sensor 11.

[0092] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention within its spirit and scope of protection, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fiber optic coil underwater lowering simulation system, characterized in that, The underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil includes: A fiber feeding device (1) is used to feed and take up optical fiber at a predetermined fiber feeding and taking up rate. A wire feeding pipe (2), wherein the optical fiber of the wire feeding device (1) is inserted from one end of the wire feeding pipe (2) and extends from the other end of the wire feeding pipe (2); A submersible fiber optic cable bundle (3) is connected to the cable laying pipe (2) extending out one end of the fiber optic cable. A lifting device (4) is connected to the submersible fiber optic coil (3) to enable the submersible fiber optic coil (3) to be lifted and lowered in the water; An optical time-domain testing device (5) is connected to the submersible fiber optic coil (3) to monitor the optical properties of the fiber optic cable; The underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil includes: A pool (6) is provided with the line-laying device (1) and the optical time-domain testing device (5) on its bank, and one end of the lifting device (4) can be inserted into the pool (6).

2. The underwater lowering simulation system for fiber optic coils according to claim 1, characterized in that, The underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil also includes: A clamping fixture (7) forms a spatial position within a predetermined area between the cable laying pipe (2) and the submersible fiber optic cable bundle (3).

3. The underwater lowering simulation system for fiber optic coils according to claim 2, characterized in that, The underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil also includes: At least one float (8) is connected in series on the line-laying pipe (2).

4. The underwater lowering simulation system for fiber optic coils according to claim 3, characterized in that, The underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil also includes: A camera device (9) is mounted on the clamping fixture (7).

5. The underwater lowering simulation system for fiber optic coils according to claim 4, characterized in that, The wire feeding device (1) includes: A winding spool (11) on which optical fiber wire is wound; A servo controller (12) drives the winding reel (11) to wind and unwind the optical fiber at the winding and unwinding rate. A guide wheel system (13) is provided with an extension direction conforming to a predetermined angle by winding an optical fiber line wound at the aforementioned winding and unwinding rate; A force sensor (14) is disposed on the guide wheel system (13) to detect the tension on the guide wheel system (13).

6. The underwater lowering simulation system for fiber optic coils according to claim 5, characterized in that, The underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil also includes: A ring clamp (10) is used to fix the clamping fixture (7) onto the submersible fiber optic coil (3).

7. The underwater lowering simulation system for fiber optic coils according to claim 6, characterized in that, The underwater lowering simulation system for the fiber optic coil also includes: A cable outlet (101) is installed on the submersible fiber optic cable coil (3) so that the cable delivery pipe (2) is connected to the submersible fiber optic cable coil (3) with a predetermined upward length.

8. A method for simulating the underwater lowering of an optical fiber coil, characterized in that, Based on the underwater lowering simulation system for fiber optic coils as described in claim 7, the simulation method includes: The submersible fiber optic cable coil (3) is lowered into the water tank (6) by the lifting device (4), and the fiber optic cable is released at the take-up and release rate. The optical properties of the submersible fiber coil (3) are monitored in real time using an optical time-domain testing device (5).

9. The underwater lowering simulation method for fiber optic coils according to claim 8, characterized in that, Before the step of lowering the submersible fiber optic cable coil (3) into the water tank (6) via the lifting device (4) and releasing the fiber optic cable at the take-up and release rate, the method further includes: Turn on the camera device (9) and the tension sensor (14).

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