Bragg Grating Optical Fiber Deformation Monitoring in Hot Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring equipment deformations in contact with hot materials is challenging due to the harsh environment and limited space, as existing solutions like pressure sensors and optical fiber sensors do not effectively measure deformation in blast furnaces and similar equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method using optical fibers with Bragg gratings of different grating periods to reflect specific wavelengths, allowing for the determination of equipment deformation by analyzing wavelength shifts caused by strain and temperature variations, and processing means to correct for these variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical fiber sensors with Bragg gratings are installed on the equipment, then deformation measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to the harsh hot environment and limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple Bragg gratings with different grating periods into a single optical fiber sensor system. This merging approach allows simultaneous measurement of deformation and temperature using one integrated sensor rather than multiple separate sensors, thereby improving measurement capability while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring both deformation and temperature, and operating in harsh hot environments. The universal design enables the sensor to handle multiple measurement tasks and environmental conditions, improving capability while avoiding the need for multiple specialized sensors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple Bragg gratings with different grating periods are used, then temperature compensation and measurement accuracy are improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to wavelength group complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Bragg gratings with different grating periods as a key parameter change to enable temperature compensation. By varying the grating period parameter across different gratings, the system creates wavelength shifts that can be used to distinguish between temperature effects and deformation effects, improving accuracy while managing detection complexity through systematic parameter variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wavelength shifts as an intermediary parameter to bridge the measurement of physical quantities (deformation and temperature) and the detection process. The wavelength shifts caused by different Bragg gratings serve as a mediator that enables accurate separation of temperature and deformation effects, improving measurement accuracy while providing a clear detection mechanism.
3Temperature
If optical fibers are positioned in conduits in furnace walls, then thermal sensor capability is improved, but deformation monitoring capability is lost as existing systems cannot measure deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical fiber sensor system to be universal, capable of measuring both temperature and deformation simultaneously. By integrating temperature sensing and deformation sensing capabilities into a single system, the patent overcomes the limitation of existing systems that could only measure temperature, thereby improving both thermal monitoring and deformation measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the optical fiber (such as wavelength shifts caused by thermal expansion and mechanical strain) to enable simultaneous temperature and deformation measurement. By detecting different parameter changes in the optical fiber, the system can distinguish between thermal effects and mechanical effects, improving both temperature monitoring and deformation measurement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate monitoring of equipment deformation in hot environments, preventing premature wear and breakage by providing real-time deformation data, thus extending equipment lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
comprise at least two first Bragg gratings having different grating periods for reflecting photons having different Bragg wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
at least one first optical fibre set along the first direction and comprising at least two first Bragg gratings
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determination of deformation along a first direction of an equipment (1) in contact with hot material and including an inner face (3) in contact with the hot material and an outer face (4) opposite to the inner face (3) is provided. An equipment (1) in contact with hot material provided with means to determine its deformation along a first direction is also provided.