An optical fiber defect on-line monitoring system

Abstract

The application relates to an online monitoring system for optical fiber defects, which comprises an energy transmitter, an energy receiver and a control device, the energy transmitter is used for emitting detection light to an optical fiber from one end of the optical fiber, the energy transmitter is provided with a first mounting part used for being mounted on a fiber disc assembly to rotate synchronously with the fiber disc assembly; the energy receiver is used for receiving the detection light transmitted from the outer wall of the optical fiber, and the energy receiver is provided with a detection area for the optical fiber to pass through; the control device is connected with the energy transmitter and the energy receiver, and is used for obtaining an energy loss rate according to received data, the data including the light power of the detection light emitted to the optical fiber by the energy transmitter and the light power of the detection light received by the energy receiver. The application can monitor the light leakage of the optical fiber online, so that the defective optical fiber can be identified.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical fiber detection technology, and in particular to an online optical fiber defect monitoring system. Background Technology

[0002] Fiber lasers, due to their excellent beam quality and high stability, have been widely used in industrial processing, medical, and defense fields. Currently, high-power fiber lasers, operating long-term in harsh environments such as high temperature and high humidity, are prone to problems such as fiber coating burn-out and fiber splice breakage, severely affecting their long-term stability. In industrial processing, the output power of fiber lasers is constantly increasing, from tens of watts to kilowatts, placing higher demands on their stability. In actual product manufacturing, defects, impurities, and particles are unavoidable, leading to power loss in the fiber during use. When high-power lasers propagate through the fiber, this loss also causes the fiber to heat up. The continuous accumulation of heat in the fiber can lead to coating burn-out, thus affecting the lifespan of the fiber laser equipment. Therefore, abnormal fibers must be identified and removed during the inspection process.

[0003] In existing testing technologies, fiber optic defects are identified offline. This involves placing the screened fiber under a red light detection device to observe for red bright spots, thus determining the fiber's quality. However, visually identifying defect size and brightness introduces subjective judgment, leading to inconsistent standards. Furthermore, offline defect identification prevents accurate pinpointing of defects, resulting in inaccurate removal. The method used for this is blind rejection. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an online optical fiber defect monitoring system that can monitor optical fiber leakage online and thus identify defective optical fibers.

[0005] This application provides an online fiber optic defect monitoring system, which includes: An energy emitter for injecting detection light into the optical fiber from one end of the optical fiber, the energy emitter having a first mounting portion for mounting on a fiber optic tray assembly to rotate synchronously with the fiber optic tray assembly; An energy receiver for receiving detection light transmitted from the outer wall of the optical fiber, the energy receiver having a detection area for the optical fiber to pass through; A control device, connected to the energy transmitter and the energy receiver, is used to obtain the energy loss rate based on received data, the data including the optical power of the detection light emitted by the energy transmitter into the optical fiber and the optical power of the detection light received by the energy receiver.

[0006] In some embodiments, the fiber optic reel assembly is a fiber take-up reel assembly, and the energy receiver is arranged upstream of the energy transmitter along the direction of fiber travel; Alternatively, the fiber tray assembly may be a fiber feeding tray assembly, and the energy receiver may be arranged downstream of the energy transmitter along the direction of fiber travel.

[0007] In some embodiments, the fiber tray assembly includes a rotating shaft and a fiber tray clamp for detachably mounting the tray, the fiber tray clamp being coaxially disposed at one end of the rotating shaft; The rotating shaft is provided with a second mounting part that is adapted to the first mounting part.

[0008] In some embodiments, a mounting groove for accommodating the energy emitter is formed between the second mounting portion and the rotating shaft, and the second mounting portion is detachably mounted on the rotating shaft; The outer contour of the energy emitter forms the first mounting portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the online fiber optic defect monitoring system further includes a memory and an alarm, wherein the memory pre-stores an energy loss rate threshold; The control device is also connected to the memory and the alarm, and is used to call the energy loss rate threshold, determine the magnitude of the energy loss rate and the energy loss rate threshold, and control the alarm to sound when the energy loss rate is greater than or equal to the energy loss rate threshold.

[0010] In some embodiments, the memory stores multiple different types of optical fibers and energy loss rate thresholds corresponding to each type of optical fiber; the control device has a human-machine interface for inputting or selecting optical fiber types, and the control device is also used to call the energy loss rate threshold corresponding to the input or selected optical fiber type.

[0011] In some embodiments, the online fiber optic defect monitoring system further includes a meter counter for recording the detection length, which is the length of the fiber optic cable passing through the detection area. The control device is also connected to the meter counter and is used to generate alarm information and store it in the memory. The alarm information includes the energy loss rate and the detection length.

[0012] In some embodiments, the online fiber optic defect monitoring system further includes a meter counter for recording the detection length, which is the length of the fiber optic cable passing through the detection area; The control device is also connected to the meter counter, and the data also includes the detected length.

[0013] In some embodiments, the energy receiver is a ring structure, and the middle region of the ring structure is the detection region.

[0014] In some embodiments, the online fiber optic defect monitoring system further includes two fiber optic disc assemblies and a wheel assembly; The two fiber tray assemblies are spaced apart, and one of the fiber tray assemblies is a fiber take-up tray assembly and the other fiber tray assembly is a fiber release tray assembly; The wheel assembly is arranged between the two fiber disc assemblies along the direction of travel of the optical fiber; The energy emitter is disposed on one of the fiber disk assemblies.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this application include: The energy transmitter provided in this application can emit detection light at a certain optical power from one end of an optical fiber, and then pass the optical fiber through the detection area of ​​the energy receiver. When light leakage occurs, the energy receiver can detect the magnitude of the leaked optical power. The energy transmitter continuously outputs detection light in real time, and the energy receiver continuously receives the leaked detection light in real time, sending their respective optical power values ​​to the control device. The control device calculates the energy loss rate based on the received data, and the fiber leakage situation can be clearly identified based on the energy loss rate. Since the energy transmitter is mounted on the fiber tray assembly and can rotate synchronously with the fiber tray assembly, it will not affect the energy transmitter's emission of detection light into the optical fiber. Therefore, this application can perform online monitoring while one fiber tray assembly is releasing fiber and another is retracting fiber.

[0016] Since optical fibers may have defects such as impurities or coating problems during the production process, or the fiber may overheat due to loss during high-power laser transmission, burning off the coating and causing defects, these may lead to light leakage from the fiber sidewall. Therefore, the online optical fiber defect monitoring system provided in this application can accurately identify defective optical fibers, realize online monitoring function, avoid damage to customers' laser equipment, and reduce the probability of customer complaints.

[0017] Compared to detection methods that rely on visual inspection to identify defects, this application avoids subjective judgment and standardizes the detection criteria. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of an online fiber optic defect monitoring system provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the fiber tray assembly provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 An energy receiver provided for an embodiment of this application.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Energy transmitter; 2. Energy receiver; 20. Detection area; 3. Control device; 4. Fiber reel assembly; 40. Rotating shaft; 41. Fiber reel clamp; 42. Second mounting part; 43. Mounting groove; 5. Reel; 6. Meter counter; 7. Wheel assembly; 70. First positioning wheel; 71. Fiber feeding end dancing wheel; 72. First transmission wheel; 73. Fiber feeding traction wheel; 74. Tension wheel; 75. Fiber take-up traction wheel; 76. Second transmission wheel; 77. Fiber take-up end dancing wheel; 78. Second positioning wheel; 79. Belt device. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure, this application provides an online optical fiber defect monitoring system, which includes an energy transmitter 1, an energy receiver 2, and a control device 3.

[0023] The energy transmitter 1 is used to inject detection light into the optical fiber from one end of the optical fiber. The energy transmitter 1 has a first mounting part for mounting on the fiber tray assembly 4 so that the energy transmitter 1 rotates synchronously with the fiber tray assembly 4.

[0024] The energy receiver 2 is used to receive detection light transmitted from the outer wall of the optical fiber, and the energy receiver 2 has a detection area 20 for the optical fiber to pass through.

[0025] The control device 3 is connected to the energy transmitter 1 and the energy receiver 2, and is used to obtain the energy loss rate based on the received data, the data including the optical power of the detection light emitted by the energy transmitter 1 into the optical fiber and the optical power of the detection light received by the energy receiver 2.

[0026] When optical fiber defects cause light leakage, the defect can be determined by detecting the leakage. Based on this, the energy transmitter 1 provided in this application can emit detection light at a certain optical power from one end of the optical fiber, and then pass the optical fiber through the detection area 20 of the energy receiver 2. When light leakage exists, the energy receiver 2 can detect the magnitude of the leaked optical power. The energy transmitter 1 continuously outputs detection light in real time, and the energy receiver 2 continuously receives the leaked detection light in real time, sending their respective optical power values ​​to the control device 3. The control device 3 calculates the energy loss rate based on the received data, and the optical fiber leakage situation can be clearly determined based on the energy loss rate. Since the energy transmitter 1 is mounted on the fiber tray assembly 4 and can rotate synchronously with the fiber tray assembly 4, it will not affect the energy transmitter 1 emitting detection light into the optical fiber. Therefore, this application can perform online monitoring when one fiber tray assembly 4 is releasing fiber and another is receiving fiber.

[0027] Since optical fibers may have defects such as impurities or coating problems during the production process, or the fiber may overheat due to loss during high-power laser transmission, burning off the coating and causing defects, these may lead to light leakage from the fiber sidewall. Therefore, the online optical fiber defect monitoring system provided in this application can accurately identify defective optical fibers, realize online monitoring function, avoid damage to customers' laser equipment, and reduce the probability of customer complaints.

[0028] Compared to detection methods that rely on visual inspection to identify defects, this application avoids subjective judgment and standardizes the detection criteria.

[0029] It is understandable that the energy transmitter 1 and energy receiver 2 mentioned above can directly use existing equipment. For example, the energy transmitter can be purchased directly, such as the B5-15 rechargeable red light pen from Shenzhen Yiheda Technology Co., Ltd. The energy receiver can also be purchased directly, such as the PEM HiRep pyroelectric energy detector from Xiaoxiao (Shanghai) Photonics Technology Co., Ltd.

[0030] As an example, energy loss rate = Formula (1) in, The optical power of the detection light received by energy receiver 2. The optical power of the detection light emitted by the energy transmitter 1 into the optical fiber.

[0031] Understandably, during testing, for ease of understanding, for example, if a 10m long optical fiber has light leakage at 1m, 3m, and 5m, then when detecting the 1m section, the light leakage at that 1m section will be detected. At this point, an energy loss rate is calculated, and when light leakage is detected at 3m, it will show the leakage rate at that location. At this point, an energy loss rate is calculated, and when light leakage at 5m is detected, the leakage rate at that location will be determined. At this point, an energy loss rate is calculated. In other words, the energy loss rate can be calculated separately for each location, thereby determining the light leakage situation at multiple different locations.

[0032] Furthermore, the calculated energy loss rate can be output as a curve, for example, with the horizontal axis representing the measured fiber length and the vertical axis representing the calculated energy loss rate, thus forming an energy loss curve for easy reference.

[0033] In this application, there are multiple options for the relative installation positions of the energy transmitter 1 and the energy receiver 2.

[0034] For example, see Figure 1 As shown, the fiber optic reel assembly 4 is a fiber take-up reel assembly, and the energy receiver 2 is arranged upstream of the energy transmitter 1 along the forward direction of the optical fiber; Figure 1 In the middle, the fiber tray assembly 4 on the left is the fiber feeding tray assembly, and the fiber tray assembly 4 on the right is the fiber taking tray assembly. The energy transmitter 1 is installed on the fiber taking tray assembly, and the energy receiver 2 is located upstream of the energy transmitter 1.

[0035] For example, as another example, the fiber tray assembly 4 is a fiber delivery tray assembly, and the energy receiver 2 is arranged downstream of the energy transmitter 1 along the direction of fiber delivery. In this case, the energy transmitter 1 is mounted on the fiber delivery tray assembly, and the energy receiver 2 is located downstream of the energy transmitter 1.

[0036] Further, see Figure 2 As shown, the fiber tray assembly 4 includes a rotating shaft 40 and a fiber tray clamp 41 for detachably mounting the tray 5. The fiber tray clamp 41 is coaxially disposed at one end of the rotating shaft 40. A second mounting part 42 adapted to the first mounting part is provided on the rotating shaft 40.

[0037] Understandably, to save costs, the aforementioned rotating shaft 40 and fiber tray clamp 41 can both be made from existing equipment. Then, the second mounting part 42 can be modified.

[0038] In one embodiment, a mounting groove 43 for accommodating the energy emitter 1 is formed between the second mounting portion 42 and the rotating shaft 40, and the second mounting portion 42 is detachably mounted on the rotating shaft 40; the outer wall contour of the energy emitter 1 constitutes the first mounting portion.

[0039] Specifically, the second mounting part 42 has a plate-like structure, and one side of it forms a mounting groove 43 between itself and the outer wall of the rotating shaft 40. The rotating shaft 40 is provided with screw holes, and the second mounting part 42 is screwed onto the rotating shaft 40 with screws, thereby clamping the energy emitter 1 in the mounting groove 43.

[0040] Understandably, other fixing methods can also be used. For example, the second mounting part 42 is a mounting hole opened on the rotating shaft 40, and the energy emitter 1 is inserted into the mounting hole, or the outer wall of the energy emitter 1 is threaded and screwed into the mounting hole.

[0041] Furthermore, the online fiber optic defect monitoring system also includes a memory and an alarm. The memory pre-stores an energy loss rate threshold. The control device 3 is also connected to the memory and the alarm, and is used to call the energy loss rate threshold, determine the magnitude of the energy loss rate and the energy loss rate threshold, and control the alarm to sound when the energy loss rate is greater than or equal to the energy loss rate threshold.

[0042] By setting an energy loss rate threshold, the control device 3 can automatically determine and trigger corresponding alarms, thereby achieving automatic online monitoring.

[0043] Understandably, the aforementioned energy loss threshold can be set manually according to actual needs.

[0044] Due to different application scenarios, the energy loss rate thresholds of different types of optical fibers, such as power transmission fibers or laser fibers, should be differentiated. Therefore, in this application, the memory stores a variety of different types of optical fibers and the corresponding energy loss rate thresholds for each type of optical fiber. The control device 3 has a human-machine interface for inputting or selecting the type of optical fiber. The control device 3 is also used to call the energy loss rate threshold corresponding to the type of optical fiber according to the input or selected type of optical fiber.

[0045] In the above example, when detecting optical fibers, the type of optical fiber being detected can be manually input through the human-machine interface, or the type can be selected from all detectable optical fiber types displayed on the interface. Thus, after calculating the energy loss rate, the control device 3 will retrieve the corresponding energy loss rate threshold from its memory based on the input or selected optical fiber type before making a judgment. This allows the present application to detect various types of optical fibers.

[0046] Further, see Figure 1As shown, the online optical fiber defect monitoring system also includes a meter counter 6 for recording the detection length, which is the length of the optical fiber passing through the detection area 20. The control device 3 is also connected to the meter counter 6 and is used to generate alarm information and store it in the memory. The alarm information includes the energy loss rate and the detection length.

[0047] By setting a meter counter, this application has the function of viewing the specific defect location through alarm information. The defect location signal is taken as the length signal of the optical fiber passing through the detection area 20, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the defect location. All data is stored in the memory and there is a control interface to review the curve, and historical records can be retrieved at any time as required.

[0048] See Figure 1 , with that Figure 1 For example, the fiber tray assembly 4 where the energy transmitter 1 is located is a fiber take-up tray assembly. At this time, when locating the defect position on the optical fiber, it is necessary to add the correction length to the detection length. The correction length is the length of the optical fiber between the energy receiver 2 and the energy transmitter 1 before detection. The correction length can be measured in advance before detection and is a known quantity.

[0049] The above formula (1) is calculated based on the energy loss rate calculated separately for light leakage at different locations. In another embodiment, the detection length L can also be added.

[0050] Specifically, the online optical fiber defect monitoring system further includes a meter counter 6 for recording the detection length, which is the length of the optical fiber passing through the detection area 20; the control device 3 is also connected to the meter counter 6, and the data also includes the detection length.

[0051] At this point, the energy loss rate = Formula (2) in, The optical power of the detection light received by energy receiver 2. L is the optical power of the detection light emitted by the energy transmitter 1 into the optical fiber, and L is the detection length, that is, the length of the optical fiber passing through the detection region 20.

[0052] Furthermore, in order to comprehensively and thoroughly detect light leakage at the fiber sidewalls, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 As shown, the energy receiver 2 has a ring structure, and the middle area of ​​the ring structure is the detection area 20. When the optical fiber passes through the detection area 20, 360° light leakage detection without dead angles can be achieved on the outer wall of the optical fiber.

[0053] Further, see Figure 1As shown, the online fiber defect monitoring system further includes two fiber reel assemblies 4 and a wheel assembly 7; the two fiber reel assemblies 4 are spaced apart, and one of the fiber reel assemblies 4 is a fiber take-up reel assembly and the other fiber reel assembly 4 is a fiber release reel assembly; the wheel assembly 7 is arranged between the two fiber reel assemblies 4 along the forward direction of the fiber; the energy transmitter 1 is arranged on one of the fiber reel assemblies 4.

[0054] Along the direction of fiber travel, the wheel assembly 7 includes, in sequence: a first positioning wheel 70, a fiber-feeding end dancing wheel 71, a first guiding wheel 72, a fiber-feeding traction wheel 73, a tension wheel 74, a fiber-taking traction wheel 75, a second guiding wheel 76, a fiber-taking end dancing wheel 77, and a second positioning wheel 78. Both the fiber-feeding traction wheel 73 and the fiber-taking traction wheel 75 are equipped with belt conveyors 79.

[0055] Example A 150m long power transmission optical fiber is screened through this application, and the power transmitter and power receiver are activated. The transmittance alarm threshold of the product is 92%.

[0056] When the energy transmitter transmits at a power of 100W and the energy receiver receives at a power of 0.08W, the energy loss rate is as follows:

[0057] The calculated transmittance was 95.4%, exceeding the set target of 92%.

[0058] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0059] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0060] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. An online fiber optic defect monitoring system, characterized in that, It includes: An energy emitter (1) is used to inject detection light into the optical fiber from one end of the optical fiber. The energy emitter (1) has a first mounting part for mounting on the fiber tray assembly (4) to rotate synchronously with the fiber tray assembly (4). An energy receiver (2) is used to receive detection light transmitted from the outer wall of the optical fiber, and the energy receiver (2) has a detection area (20) for the optical fiber to pass through. A control device (3) is connected to the energy transmitter (1) and the energy receiver (2) and is used to obtain the energy loss rate based on the received data, the data including the optical power of the detection light emitted by the energy transmitter (1) into the optical fiber and the optical power of the detection light received by the energy receiver (2).

2. The online fiber optic defect monitoring system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fiber tray assembly (4) is a fiber take-up tray assembly, and the energy receiver (2) is arranged upstream of the energy transmitter (1) along the forward direction of the optical fiber; Alternatively, the fiber tray assembly (4) is a fiber tray assembly, and the energy receiver (2) is arranged downstream of the energy transmitter (1) along the forward direction of the optical fiber.

3. The online fiber optic defect monitoring system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fiber tray assembly (4) includes a rotating shaft (40) and a fiber tray clamp (41) for detachably installing the tray (5), the fiber tray clamp (41) being coaxially disposed at one end of the rotating shaft (40); The rotating shaft (40) is provided with a second mounting part (42) that is adapted to the first mounting part.

4. The online fiber optic defect monitoring system as described in claim 3, characterized in that: A mounting groove (43) for accommodating the energy emitter (1) is formed between the second mounting part (42) and the rotating shaft (40), and the second mounting part (42) is detachably mounted on the rotating shaft (40); The outer wall contour of the energy emitter (1) forms the first mounting part.

5. The online fiber optic defect monitoring system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The online fiber optic defect monitoring system also includes a memory and an alarm, wherein the memory pre-stores an energy loss rate threshold. The control device (3) is also connected to the memory and the alarm, and is used to call the energy loss rate threshold, determine the size of the energy loss rate and the energy loss rate threshold, and control the alarm to sound when the energy loss rate is greater than or equal to the energy loss rate threshold.

6. The online fiber optic defect monitoring system as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The memory stores various types of optical fibers and the corresponding energy loss rate thresholds for each type of optical fiber; the control device (3) has a human-machine interface for inputting or selecting optical fiber type, and the control device (3) is also used to call the energy loss rate threshold corresponding to the optical fiber type according to the input or selected optical fiber type.

7. The online fiber optic defect monitoring system as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The online fiber defect monitoring system also includes a meter counter (6) for recording the detection length, which is the length of the fiber passing through the detection area (20). The control device (3) is also connected to the meter counter (6) and is used to generate alarm information and store it in the memory. The alarm information includes the energy loss rate and the detection length.

8. The online fiber optic defect monitoring system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The online fiber defect monitoring system also includes a meter counter (6) for recording the detection length, which is the length of the fiber passing through the detection area (20); The control device (3) is also connected to the meter counter (6), and the data also includes the detected length.

9. The online fiber optic defect monitoring system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The energy receiver (2) has a ring structure, and the middle area of ​​the ring structure is the detection area (20).

10. The online fiber optic defect monitoring system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The online fiber optic defect monitoring system also includes two fiber disk assemblies (4) and a wheel assembly (7). The two fiber tray assemblies (4) are spaced apart, and one of the fiber tray assemblies (4) is a fiber take-up tray assembly and the other fiber tray assembly (4) is a fiber release tray assembly; The wheel assembly (7) is arranged between the two fiber disc assemblies (4) along the direction of the fiber's movement; The energy emitter (1) is arranged on one of the fiber disk assemblies (4).

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