Multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of optical fiber connectors, and discloses a multichannel optical fiber connector with a pressure compensation function, which comprises a fixed end optical fiber assembly, a rotating end optical fiber assembly, a prism assembly and a transmission mechanism, a cavity formed by the rotating end optical fiber assembly and the fixed end optical fiber assembly is filled with pressure compensation liquid, and the pressure compensator is compressed by high water pressure to shrink, so that the pressure in the cavity changes slowly and is finally balanced with the water pressure borne by the pressure compensator. The pressure compensator is communicated with external seawater when the optical fiber connector is used, and a prism in the prism assembly is under the standard atmospheric pressure of 1atm and is not affected by pressure compensation liquid. According to the utility model, reliable transmission of optical fiber signals in a deep-sea high-pressure environment can be ensured, the use reliability and the service life of the optical fiber rotary connector are improved, and the daily maintenance cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of optical fiber connectors, in particular to a multi-channel optical fiber connector with a pressure compensation function. Background Art

[0002] Fiber optic rotary connectors, also known as fiber optic slip rings, fiber optic rotary joints, and optical hinges, are designed to transmit optical signals between relatively rotating components, ensuring that the signal transmission is not interrupted by rotation. Compared to traditional electrical connectors, fiber optic rotary connectors offer the following advantages: They use light for signal transmission, eliminating electromagnetic leakage, ensuring confidentiality, and resisting electromagnetic interference. They also provide contactless transmission, are wear-free, and have a long lifespan of up to 5 million revolutions. They are frictionless and can be used in flammable and explosive environments. Fiber optic rotary connectors are typically enclosed in a stainless steel housing, ensuring reliable signal transmission even in humid, acidic, and alkaline environments.

[0003] Traditional fiber optic rotary connectors have poor sealing properties and cannot maintain stable friction in high water pressure environments, resulting in a short service life and being unsuitable for deep-sea use. They require regular replacement, which is inconvenient. Therefore, a multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector suitable for deep-sea applications is needed. Utility Model Content

[0004] (1) Technical problems solved

[0005] In response to the shortcomings of the existing technology, the utility model provides a multi-channel optical fiber connector with a pressure compensation function, which solves the problems of unstable optical fiber signal transmission in deep-sea high-pressure environments of existing optical fiber rotary connectors, and the need to improve reliability and service life.

[0006] (2) Technical solution

[0007] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0008] A multi-channel fiber optic connector with a pressure compensation function comprises: a fixed-end fiber optic assembly, a rotating-end fiber optic assembly, a prism assembly, and a transmission mechanism. The fixed-end fiber optic assembly and the rotating-end fiber optic assembly are respectively mounted at opposite ends of the transmission mechanism, and the prism assembly is mounted at the center of the transmission mechanism. A pressure compensator is disposed at one end of the fixed-end fiber optic assembly. A pressure compensation fluid is filled between the cavity formed by the rotating-end fiber optic assembly and the fixed-end fiber optic assembly. The pressure compensator contracts under high water pressure, causing the pressure within the cavity to slowly change and eventually reach equilibrium with the water pressure acting on the pressure compensator. The pressure compensator is connected to external seawater when the fiber optic connector is in use. The prism within the prism assembly is under a standard atmospheric pressure of 1 atm and is not affected by the pressure compensation fluid.

[0009] Preferably, the fixed-end optical fiber assembly includes an outer shell and an inner shell, the outer shell is fixedly connected to the inner shell, an input-end optical fiber collimator is provided at one end of the inner shell, an oil filling port is provided on the outer shell, and the pressure compensator is movably arranged at one end of the inner shell and a protective cover is provided on the outside.

[0010] Preferably, the pressure compensator includes a moving part, a top plate, a bottom plate and a sealing part. The two ends of the moving part are welded and sealed to the top plate and the bottom plate respectively. The sealing part is arranged in the top plate. The bottom plate is welded and fixed to the outer shell. The top plate and one end of the inner shell are sealed by the sealing part to form a piston structure. The moving part can slide and contract with the top plate. A fixed-end inner cavity is formed between the pressure compensator, the outer shell and the inner shell.

[0011] Preferably, the pressure compensation liquid is injected into the fixed end inner cavity through the oil filling port after the optical fiber rotary connector is debugged, and a rotary seal is provided at one end of the outer shell to seal the rotating end optical fiber assembly.

[0012] Preferably, one end of the protective sleeve is welded and fixed to the bottom plate, and the other end is sealed to one end of the inner shell, and together with the pressure compensator forms a fixed end outer cavity, which is connected to the external seawater when the optical fiber rotary connector is in use.

[0013] Preferably, the prism assembly includes a central shaft, a Dove prism, a first window piece, a pressure ring and a flange. The Dove prism is fixed in the central shaft, and the two ends of the central shaft are sealed and connected to the flange. The pressure ring is used to seal and fix the window piece to the flanges at both ends. The outside of the central shaft is connected to the transmission mechanism through a bearing.

[0014] Preferably, the rotating end optical fiber assembly includes an output end optical fiber collimator and a housing, the housing is fixedly connected to the transmission mechanism, and the output end optical fiber collimator extends into the inner cavity of the housing and is sealed and fixedly connected to the housing.

[0015] Preferably, the optical fiber rotary connector also includes a transition component, which is arranged between the shell and the prism assembly. The transition component is arranged in a transition cavity sealed between the prism assembly and the shell, and the transition cavity is filled with a compensation liquid whose refractive index meets the requirements of optical path transmission. The transition cavity is independent of the cavity inside the fixed end.

[0016] Preferably, the transition assembly includes a base, a second window piece, a small rotary seal and a transition assembly oil filling port. The base is provided with an oil filling port, the second window piece is sealed and fixed on the base, and the base is sealed and fixed to the pressure ring through a small rotary seal to form a sealed transition cavity.

[0017] (3) Beneficial effects

[0018] The utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] This multi-channel fiber optic connector with pressure compensation, by adding a stable pressure compensator, not only improves the operational reliability of the fiber optic rotary connector but also reduces operation and maintenance costs, thereby ensuring safe and reliable deep-sea operations. Furthermore, through the pressure compensation fluid, when the fiber optic rotary connector is used in the deep sea, high water pressure compresses the pressure compensator. Because the cavity formed by the rotating and fixed fiber optic components is filled with pressure compensation fluid, the pressure within the cavity slowly changes until it reaches equilibrium with the deep-sea water pressure. After the water pressure is balanced, the seal of the fiber optic rotary connector is less affected by deep-sea pressure, and the torque during relative rotation between the fixed and rotating fiber optic components is unaffected, greatly improving the reliable use of the fiber optic rotary connector in the deep sea. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the transition component of the present invention.

[0022] In the figure: 1. Fixed-end optical fiber assembly; 101. Input-end optical fiber collimator; 102. Outer shell; 103. Inner shell; 104. Oil filling port; 105. Pressure compensator; 1051. Bellows; 1052. Top plate; 1053. Bottom plate; 1054. Seal; 106. Rotary seal; 107. Protective cover; 108. Fixed-end inner cavity; 109. Fixed-end outer cavity; 2. Rotary-end optical fiber assembly; 201. Output-end optical fiber collimator; 202. Shell; 3. Prism assembly; 301. Center axis; 302. Dove prism; 303. First window; 304. Pressure ring; 305. Flange; 4. Transmission mechanism; 5. Transition assembly; 501. Base; 502. Second window; 503. Small rotary seal; 504. Transition assembly oil filling port; 505. Transition cavity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] 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.

[0024] See also Figure 1 The utility model provides a technical solution: a multi-channel optical fiber connector with a pressure compensation function, comprising: a fixed-end optical fiber assembly 1, a rotating-end optical fiber assembly 2, a prism assembly 3 and a transmission mechanism 4, wherein the fixed-end optical fiber assembly 1 and the rotating-end optical fiber assembly 2 are respectively installed at the two ends of the transmission mechanism 4, and the prism assembly 3 is installed in the center of the transmission mechanism 4. A pressure compensator 105 is arranged at one end of the fixed-end optical fiber assembly 1, and a pressure compensation liquid is filled between the cavity formed by the rotating-end optical fiber assembly 2 and the fixed-end optical fiber assembly 1. The pressure compensator 105 contracts under the pressure of high water pressure, so that the pressure in the cavity will slowly change and eventually be balanced with the water pressure applied to the pressure compensator 105. The pressure compensator 105 is connected to external seawater when the optical fiber connector is in use, and the prism in the prism assembly 3 is under a standard atmospheric pressure of 1 atm and will not be affected by the pressure compensation liquid.

[0025] The present invention, by adding a stable pressure compensator 105, not only improves the operational reliability of the optical fiber rotary connector, but also reduces the operation and maintenance costs, thereby ensuring the safe and reliable operation of deep-sea operations. At the same time, through the pressure compensation liquid filled in, when the optical fiber rotary connector is placed in the deep sea for use, the high water pressure will compress the pressure compensator 105 to contract. Since the cavity formed by the rotating end optical fiber component 2 and the fixed end optical fiber component 1 is filled with pressure compensation liquid, the pressure in the cavity will slowly change until it is balanced with the water pressure of the deep sea. After the water pressure is balanced, the seal of the optical fiber rotary connector is less affected by the deep-sea pressure, and the torque during the relative rotation of the fixed end optical fiber component 1 and the rotating end optical fiber component 2 is also unaffected, which can greatly improve the reliable use of the optical fiber rotary connector in the deep sea.

[0026] In this embodiment, the fixed-end optical fiber assembly 1 includes an outer shell 102 and an inner shell 103. The outer shell 102 is fixedly connected to the inner shell 103. An input-end optical fiber collimator 101 is provided at one end of the inner shell 103. An oil filling port 104 is provided on the outer shell 102. A pressure compensator 105 is movably arranged at one end of the inner shell 103 and a protective cover 107 is provided on the outside.

[0027] In this embodiment, the pressure compensator 105 includes a moving part, a top plate 1052, a bottom plate 1053 and a sealing part 1054. The two ends of the moving part are welded and sealed with the top plate 1052 and the bottom plate 1053 respectively. The sealing part 1054 is set in the top plate 1052. The bottom plate 1053 is welded and fixed to the outer shell 102. The top plate 1052 and one end of the inner shell 103 are sealed by the sealing part 1054 to form a piston structure. The moving part can slide and shrink with the top plate 1052. A fixed end inner cavity 108 is formed between the pressure compensator 105, the outer shell 102 and the inner shell 103. It should be noted that the moving part can be, but is not limited to, Figure 1 and2 The bellows 1051 structure may also be a diaphragm structure, a soft bag structure, or a piston structure.

[0028] In this embodiment, after commissioning of the optical fiber rotary connector is complete, pressure compensation fluid is injected into the fixed-end inner cavity 108 through the oil inlet 104. A rotary seal 106 is provided at one end of the outer housing 102 to seal the rotating-end optical fiber assembly 2. In practical applications, the pressure compensation fluid is made of a transparent, chemically stable material, such as a mixture based on dimethyl silicone oil.

[0029] In this embodiment, one end of the protective sleeve 107 is welded and fixed to the bottom plate 1053, and the other end is sealed with one end of the inner shell 103, and together with the pressure compensator 105, forms a fixed end outer cavity 109. The fixed end outer cavity 109 is connected to the external seawater when the optical fiber rotary connector is in use.

[0030] In this embodiment, the prism assembly 3 comprises a central shaft 301, a dove prism 302, a first window 303, a pressure ring 304, and a flange 305. The dove prism 302 is fixed within the central shaft 301, with both ends of the central shaft 301 sealed to the flange 305. The pressure ring 304 seals and secures the window to the flanges 305 at both ends. The exterior of the central shaft 301 is connected to the transmission mechanism 4 via bearings. The dove prism 302 within the central shaft 301 is always sealed at a standard atmospheric pressure of 1 atm and is unaffected by the pressure compensation fluid. The operating principle of the fiber optic rotary connector: Based on the optical transmission characteristics of the dove prism 302, the input fiber collimator 101 is coupled to the output fiber collimator 201. While the fixed-end fiber assembly 1 is stationary, the rotating optical assembly and prism assembly 3 rotate at a constant rotational speed ratio, achieving a rotationally fixed connection of the optical signal. When the fiber optic rotary connector is used deep underwater, high water pressure compensators 105 contract. Since the fixed end cavity 108 is filled with compensating fluid, the pressure within the fixed end cavity gradually changes until it reaches equilibrium with the deep-sea water pressure. Once the pressure is balanced, the seal of the fiber optic rotary connector is less affected by deep-sea pressure, and the torque during relative rotation between the fixed end fiber optic assembly 1 and the rotating end fiber optic assembly 2 is unaffected, significantly enhancing the reliability of the fiber optic rotary connector in deep-sea operation.

[0031] In this embodiment, the rotating end optical fiber assembly 2 includes an output end optical fiber collimator 201 and a housing 202 . The housing 202 is fixedly connected to the transmission mechanism 4 . The output end optical fiber collimator 201 extends into the inner cavity of the housing 202 and is sealed and fixedly connected to the housing 202 .

[0032] In this embodiment, the optical fiber rotary connector also includes a transition component 5, which is arranged between the shell 202 and the prism component 3. The transition component 5 is arranged in a transition cavity 505 sealed between the prism component 3 and the shell 202. The transition cavity 505 is filled with a compensation liquid with a refractive index suitable for the optical path transmission requirements. The transition cavity 505 is independent of the fixed end inner cavity 108.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the transition assembly 5 includes a base 501, a second window 502, a small rotating seal 503, and a transition assembly oil inlet 504. The base 501 is provided with the oil inlet 104. The second window 502 is sealed and fixed to the base 501. The base 501 is sealed and fixed to the pressure ring 304 via the small rotating seal 503, forming a sealed transition cavity 505. During modulation, a compensation fluid with a refractive index suitable for optical transmission requirements is filled into the transition cavity 505 through the transition assembly oil inlet 504. Because the transition cavity 505 is independent of the fixed end inner cavity 108, in deep-sea applications, high-frequency rotation causes wear of external rotating components, posing a risk of contamination of the pressure compensation fluid in the fixed end inner cavity 108. However, the low relative rotation frequency of the transition assembly 5 further protects the optical signal transmission from pressure compensation fluid contamination, making it easier to manufacture and reducing losses.

[0034] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include," "comprise," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations. The phrase "includes an element defined by..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that includes the element.

[0035] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, 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 multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function, characterized in that: include: A fixed-end optical fiber assembly, a rotating-end optical fiber assembly, a prism assembly and a transmission mechanism. The fixed-end optical fiber assembly and the rotating-end optical fiber assembly are respectively installed at the two ends of the transmission mechanism, and the prism assembly is installed in the center of the transmission mechanism. A pressure compensator is arranged at one end of the fixed-end optical fiber assembly. The cavity formed by the rotating-end optical fiber assembly and the fixed-end optical fiber assembly is filled with pressure compensation fluid. The pressure compensator contracts under the pressure of high water pressure, so that the pressure in the cavity will slowly change and eventually balance with the water pressure applied to the pressure compensator. The pressure compensator is connected to external seawater when the optical fiber connector is in use. The prism in the prism assembly is under a standard atmospheric pressure of 1atm and will not be affected by the pressure compensation fluid.

2. The multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed-end optical fiber assembly includes an outer shell and an inner shell, the outer shell is fixedly connected to the inner shell, an input-end optical fiber collimator is provided at one end of the inner shell, an oil filling port is provided on the outer shell, and the pressure compensator is movably arranged at one end of the inner shell and a protective cover is provided on the outside.

3. The multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressure compensator includes a moving part, a top plate, a bottom plate and a sealing part. The two ends of the moving part are welded and sealed with the top plate and the bottom plate respectively. The sealing part is arranged in the top plate. The bottom plate is welded and fixed to the outer shell. The top plate and one end of the inner shell are sealed by the sealing part to form a piston structure. The moving part can slide and contract with the top plate. A fixed-end inner cavity is formed between the pressure compensator, the outer shell and the inner shell.

4. The multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function according to claim 3, characterized in that: After the optical fiber rotary connector is debugged, the pressure compensation liquid is injected into the fixed end inner cavity through the oil filling port. A rotary seal is provided at one end of the outer shell to seal the rotating end optical fiber assembly.

5. The multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the protective sleeve is welded and fixed to the bottom plate, and the other end is sealed with one end of the inner shell, and together with the pressure compensator forms a fixed end outer cavity, which is connected to the external seawater when the optical fiber rotary connector is in use.

6. The multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The prism assembly includes a central shaft, a Dove prism, a first window piece, a pressure ring and a flange. The Dove prism is fixed in the central shaft. The two ends of the central shaft are sealed and connected to the flange. The pressure ring is used to seal and fix the window piece to the flanges at both ends. The outside of the central shaft is connected to the transmission mechanism through a bearing.

7. A multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The rotating end optical fiber assembly comprises an output end optical fiber collimator and a shell. The shell is fixedly connected to the transmission mechanism. The output end optical fiber collimator extends into the inner cavity of the shell and is sealed and fixedly connected to the shell.

8. The multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function according to claim 5, characterized in that: The optical fiber rotary connector also includes a transition component, which is arranged between the shell and the prism assembly. The transition component is arranged in a transition cavity sealed between the prism assembly and the shell. The transition cavity is filled with a compensation liquid whose refractive index meets the requirements of optical path transmission. The transition cavity is independent of the cavity inside the fixed end.

9. The multi-channel optical fiber connector with pressure compensation function according to claim 8, characterized in that: The transition assembly includes a base, a second window piece, a small rotary seal and a transition assembly oil filling port. The base is provided with an oil filling port. The second window piece is sealed and fixed on the base. The base is sealed and fixed to the pressure ring through the small rotary seal to form a sealed transition cavity.

Images