Watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device based on fiber bragg grating

Abstract

The utility model discloses a watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device based on a fiber grating. The device comprises a watertight connector socket, a watertight connector plug and a fiber grating sensor, the watertight connector plug is inserted into the watertight connector socket, and the fiber grating sensor is arranged in a monitoring hole of the watertight connector socket. According to the utility model, the fiber grating sensor is used for monitoring the watertight connector, so that real-time and accurate monitoring of leakage and damage of the watertight connector is realized, and the limitation of a traditional manual inspection method is effectively overcome.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to optical fiber sensing technology, in particular to a watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device based on optical fiber Bragg grating, which is suitable for real-time monitoring of watertight connectors in underwater environments. Background Art

[0002] Watertight connectors, as critical connection devices, are widely used in marine engineering, diving equipment, oil exploration, underwater robots, and other equipment that must operate underwater. Due to the complexity and harshness of the underwater environment, watertight connectors must be highly reliable and durable. However, over extended use, watertight connectors are susceptible to various factors, such as high pressure, saltwater corrosion, and mechanical stress, leading to leakage, damage, and even failure.

[0003] Currently, leak and damage detection for watertight connectors relies primarily on regular manual inspections and maintenance. This approach has several drawbacks: First, manual inspections must be performed at specific times, preventing real-time monitoring and potentially missing early signs of leaks and damage. Second, the complex and dangerous underwater environment makes manual inspections difficult and costly, posing safety risks. Finally, the long intervals between regular inspections prevent the timely detection and resolution of unexpected leaks and damage, potentially leaving the equipment at risk for extended periods, impacting the safety and reliability of the overall system.

[0004] In recent years, with the development of fiber optic sensing technology, sensors based on fiber Bragg gratings have been widely used in various monitoring fields. Fiber Bragg grating sensors have the advantages of high sensitivity, resistance to electromagnetic interference, small size, and easy integration, making them very suitable for monitoring underwater environments. By detecting changes in the wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating, changes in environmental parameters such as temperature, stress, and pressure can be accurately perceived, thereby achieving real-time monitoring of the equipment status. Although fiber Bragg grating sensors have been applied to certain extent in other fields, research and application in monitoring leakage and damage of watertight connectors are still relatively limited. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device based on fiber Bragg grating technology to address the deficiencies in the existing technology, achieve real-time and accurate monitoring of watertight connectors, and ensure the safe and stable operation of underwater equipment. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical issues, this utility model provides a fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device. This device is capable of real-time monitoring of watertight connector leakage and damage in underwater environments. By integrating a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor, the device can detect changes in connector parameters (deformation, humidity) and thereby determine the connector's condition. Compared to traditional manual inspection methods, this FBG-based monitoring system offers advantages such as enhanced real-time performance, high sensitivity, and enhanced safety.

[0006] The technical solutions adopted by this utility model are as follows:

[0007] The utility model discloses a watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device based on fiber grating, comprising:

[0008] A watertight connector socket, a watertight connector plug and a fiber grating sensor; the watertight connector plug is inserted into the watertight connector socket, and a matching structure for installing the fiber grating sensor is provided between the monitoring hole of the watertight connector socket and the monitoring hole plug of the watertight connector plug. The fiber grating sensor is arranged in the monitoring hole of the watertight connector socket and is used to monitor whether there is water leakage and damage to the connection part between the watertight connector plug and the watertight connector socket.

[0009] The watertight connector socket includes a plurality of connecting holes and a monitoring hole; the connecting holes are used for photoelectric signal transmission, and a fiber optic Bragg grating sensor is arranged in the monitoring hole.

[0010] The watertight connector plug includes a plurality of pins and a monitoring hole plug; the pins are used to be inserted into the socket and matched with the socket for photoelectric signal transmission, and the monitoring hole plug is used to be inserted into the monitoring hole for sealing.

[0011] The fiber grating sensor includes an optical fiber, a sealant, a fiber grating deformation sensor, a fiber grating humidity sensor and a moisture-sensitive material; the optical fiber is arranged inside the monitoring hole of the watertight connector socket, and the input and output ends of the optical fiber are connected to the fiber grating demodulator; the fiber grating deformation sensor is fixed to the wall of the monitoring hole by the sealant, and the fiber grating deformation sensor is in close contact with the wall of the monitoring hole; the moisture-sensitive material is coated on the outer surface of the grating area of the fiber grating humidity sensor, and the moisture-sensitive material is exposed to the air inside the monitoring hole.

[0012] The fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor are sequentially integrated on the same optical fiber along the direction of light emitted by the fiber Bragg grating demodulator; the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor are both integrated at one end of the optical fiber near the watertight connector plug; the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor are both obtained by exposing a part of the optical fiber to ultraviolet light.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0014] Fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based monitoring technology enables real-time, accurate detection of leaks and damage in watertight connectors, effectively overcoming the limitations of traditional manual inspection methods. Its high sensitivity enables early detection of potential faults, avoiding the serious consequences of delayed detection. Furthermore, the device's compact structure allows for easy integration with existing systems, improving the operational safety and reliability of underwater equipment while reducing maintenance costs and operational risks. This provides strong technical support for the application of watertight connectors in complex underwater environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a device for monitoring leakage and damage of a watertight connector according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the design of the watertight connector socket of the utility model;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the design of the watertight connector plug of the utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a fiber grating sensor embedded in a watertight connector socket of the present invention.

[0019] In the figure, 1. Watertight connector socket; 2. Fiber Bragg grating sensor; 3. Watertight connector plug; 4. Connecting hole; 5. Monitoring hole; 6. Pin; 7. Monitoring hole plug; 8. Optical fiber; 9. Sealant; 10. Fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor; 11. Fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor; 12. Moisture-sensitive material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] like Figure 1As shown, the device includes a specially made watertight connector socket 1, a specially made watertight connector plug 3, and a fiber grating sensor 2. The watertight connector plug 3 is inserted into the watertight connector socket 1. A matching structure for mounting the fiber grating sensor 2 is provided between the monitoring hole 5 of the watertight connector socket 1 and the monitoring hole plug 7 of the watertight connector plug 3. The fiber grating sensor 2 is arranged in the monitoring hole 5 of the watertight connector socket 1 and is used to monitor in real time whether there is water leakage or damage to the connection between the watertight connector plug 3 and the watertight connector socket 1 when the watertight connector plug 3 is inserted into the watertight connector socket 1.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the watertight connector socket 1 includes a plurality of connecting holes 4 and a monitoring hole 5; the connecting holes 4 are used for normal photoelectric signal transmission, and the monitoring hole 5 is provided with a fiber grating sensor 2.

[0023] like Figure 3 As shown, the watertight connector plug 3 includes several pins 6 and a monitoring hole plug 7. The pins 6 are used to insert into the socket 4 and mate with the socket 4 for normal photoelectric signal transmission. The monitoring hole plug 7 is used to insert into the monitoring hole 5 to seal the monitoring hole 5. The monitoring hole plug 7 is inserted into the gap between the fiber grating humidity sensor 11 and the wall of the monitoring hole 5, thereby sealing the connection between the watertight connector plug 3 and the watertight connector socket 1.

[0024] like Figure 4 As shown, the fiber grating (FBG) sensor 2 includes an optical fiber 8, a sealant 9, a fiber grating (FBG) deformation sensor 10, a fiber grating (FBG) humidity sensor 11, and a moisture-sensitive material 12. The optical fiber 8 is positioned within the monitoring hole 5 of the watertight connector receptacle 1, with its input and output ends connected to a fiber grating (FBG) demodulator. The fiber grating (FBG) deformation sensor 10 is secured to the wall of the monitoring hole 5 via the sealant 9. The fiber grating (FBG) deformation sensor 10 is in close contact with the wall of the monitoring hole 5. When the watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device is damaged or deformed, the center wavelength of the fiber grating (FBG) deformation sensor 10 changes, thereby determining whether the device is damaged. The moisture-sensitive material 12 is coated on the outer surface of the grating region of the fiber grating humidity sensor 11. The moisture-sensitive material 12 is exposed to the air within the monitoring hole 5. When the watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device leaks, the moisture-sensitive material 12 deforms due to increased humidity, causing the center wavelength of the fiber grating humidity sensor 11 to change, thereby determining whether the device is leaking.

[0025] Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) deformation sensors 10 and fiber Bragg grating (FBG) humidity sensors 11 are integrated on the same optical fiber 8 at intervals along the direction of light emitted by the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogator. Both the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) deformation sensor 10 and the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) humidity sensor 11 are integrated at one end of the optical fiber 8 near the watertight connector plug 3. The closer the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) humidity sensor 11 is to the watertight connector plug 3, the better. The fiber Bragg grating (FBG) deformation sensor 10 is integrated close to the side of the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11. Both the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) deformation sensor 10 and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 are generated by exposing a portion of the optical fiber 8 to ultraviolet light.

[0026] Watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device monitoring workflow:

[0027] The fiber Bragg grating demodulator sends an optical signal, which is transmitted along the optical fiber 8 and reaches the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 in sequence.

[0028] When damage occurs at the connection between the watertight connector plug 3 and the watertight connector socket 1, the fiber grating deformation sensor 10 detects the damage, and the center wavelength of the fiber grating deformation sensor 10 changes; when damage occurs at the connection between the watertight connector plug 3 and the watertight connector socket 1, the fiber grating deformation sensor 10 does not detect the damage, and the center wavelength of the fiber grating deformation sensor 10 does not change.

[0029] When there is leakage at the connection between the watertight connector plug 3 and the watertight connector socket 1, the fiber grating deformation sensor 10 detects the leakage, and the center wavelength of the fiber grating humidity sensor 11 changes; when there is no leakage at the connection between the watertight connector plug 3 and the watertight connector socket 1, the fiber grating deformation sensor 10 does not detect the leakage, and the center wavelength of the fiber grating humidity sensor 11 does not change.

[0030] The optical signal passing through the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 is returned to the fiber Bragg grating demodulator, which demodulates the optical signal and analyzes the fluctuation of the central wavelength to determine whether the watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device is damaged or leaking.

[0031] The center wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 is the center wavelength of the echo signal generated by the light emitted by the fiber Bragg grating interrogator, propagated along the optical fiber 8 to the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10, and then reflected back to the fiber Bragg grating interrogator. Similarly, the center wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 is the center wavelength of the echo signal generated by the light emitted by the fiber Bragg grating interrogator, propagated along the optical fiber 8 to the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11, and then reflected back to the fiber Bragg grating interrogator.

[0032] The embodiment of the utility model and its steps are as follows:

[0033] 1) Install a watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device and connect it to the fiber Bragg grating demodulator;

[0034] 1.1) The fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 are sequentially integrated on the same optical fiber 8 at intervals along the direction of light emitted by the fiber Bragg grating demodulator. The fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 are both integrated at one end of the optical fiber 8 near the watertight connector plug 3;

[0035] 1.2) Coating a moisture-sensitive material 12 on the outer surface of the grating region of the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 and exposing the moisture-sensitive material 12 to the air inside the monitoring hole 5;

[0036] 1.3) Fix the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 to the wall of the monitoring hole 5 through the sealant 9, so that the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 and the wall of the monitoring hole 5 are in close contact;

[0037] 1.4) Connect the input and output ends of the optical fiber 8 to the fiber Bragg grating demodulator.

[0038] 2) Check the change of the central wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 detected by the fiber Bragg grating demodulator to determine whether the watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device is damaged;

[0039] When the unit time variation of the central wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 displayed by the fiber Bragg grating demodulator is greater than or equal to the preset deformation threshold, the watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device is damaged; when the unit time variation of the central wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor 10 displayed by the fiber Bragg grating demodulator is less than the preset deformation threshold, the watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device is not damaged.

[0040] 3) Check the change of the central wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 detected by the fiber Bragg grating demodulator to determine whether the watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device has leaked.

[0041] When the unit time variation of the center wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 displayed by the fiber Bragg grating demodulator is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value of liquid leakage, the watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device leaks; when the unit time variation of the center wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor 11 displayed by the fiber Bragg grating demodulator is less than the preset threshold value of liquid leakage, the watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device does not leak.

[0042] In a specific implementation, the preset deformation threshold and the preset seepage threshold are set according to the actual use environment, material properties, and detection accuracy requirements.

[0043] This utility model integrates fiber grating sensors to monitor changes in watertight connector parameters (deformation, humidity) in real time, thereby determining the status of the watertight connector and ensuring its safe service. This effectively overcomes the limitations of traditional manual inspection methods. Its high sensitivity enables early detection of potential faults, avoiding the serious consequences of delayed detection. At the same time, the device is compact and easy to integrate with existing systems, not only improving the operational safety and reliability of underwater equipment, but also reducing maintenance costs and operational risks, providing strong technical support for the application of watertight connectors in complex underwater environments.

[0044] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "comprises", "includes" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or apparatus that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements that are inherent to such process, method, article or apparatus.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, changes, substitutions and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring leakage and damage of watertight connectors based on fiber Bragg gratings, characterized by: The invention comprises a watertight connector socket (1), a watertight connector plug (3) and a fiber Bragg grating sensor (2); the watertight connector plug (3) is inserted into the watertight connector socket (1); a matching structure for installing the fiber Bragg grating sensor (2) is provided between a monitoring hole (5) of the watertight connector socket (1) and a monitoring hole plug (7) of the watertight connector plug (3); the fiber Bragg grating sensor (2) is arranged in the monitoring hole (5) of the watertight connector socket (1) and is used to monitor whether there is water leakage and damage to the connection part between the watertight connector plug (3) and the watertight connector socket (1).

2. The watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The watertight connector socket (1) comprises a plurality of connecting holes (4) and a monitoring hole (5); the connecting holes (4) are used for photoelectric signal transmission, and a fiber optic Bragg grating sensor (2) is arranged in the monitoring hole (5).

3. The watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The watertight connector plug (3) comprises a plurality of pins (6) and a monitoring hole plug (7); the pins (6) are used to be inserted into the socket (4) and matched with the socket (4) for photoelectric signal transmission, and the monitoring hole plug (7) is used to be inserted into the monitoring hole (5) for sealing.

4. The watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fiber Bragg grating sensor (2) comprises an optical fiber (8), a sealant (9), a fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor (10), a fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor (11) and a moisture-sensitive material (12); the optical fiber (8) is arranged inside the monitoring hole (5) of the watertight connector socket (1), and the input and output ends of the optical fiber (8) are connected to the fiber Bragg grating demodulator; the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor (10) is fixed in the hole wall of the monitoring hole (5) by the sealant (9), and the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor (10) and the hole wall of the monitoring hole (5) are in close contact; the moisture-sensitive material (12) is coated on the outer surface of the grating area of the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor (11), and the moisture-sensitive material (12) is exposed to the air inside the monitoring hole (5).

5. The watertight connector leakage and damage monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor (10) and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor (11) are sequentially integrated on the same optical fiber (8) along the direction of light emitted by the fiber Bragg grating demodulator; the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor (10) and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor (11) are both integrated at one end of the optical fiber (8) near the watertight connector plug (3); and the fiber Bragg grating deformation sensor (10) and the fiber Bragg grating humidity sensor (11) are both obtained by exposing a part of the optical fiber (8) to ultraviolet light.

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