Embedded Optical Interrogator and Waveguide for Damage-Resistant Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor apparatuses with optical interrogators and fiber Bragg gratings are bulky and prone to damage, limiting their mobility and long-term usability, especially in applications like pipeline inspection and repair.
Innovation Solution
Embedding both the optical interrogator and the optical waveguide within a component made of fiber-reinforced plastic, eliminating the need for external connections and protecting the waveguide from damage, thus enabling mobile and long-term use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical interrogator is placed remotely from the optical waveguide (as in typical laboratory or rack-mounted configurations), then the sensor apparatus can be used in stationary applications, but the apparatus becomes bulky and the optical waveguide is exposed to damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds both the optical interrogator and the optical waveguide within the same component made of fiber-reinforced plastic, merging previously separate elements into a unified integrated structure. This eliminates the need for external connections and protects the waveguide from damage by removing it from exposed external pathways.
2Volume of moving object
If the optical interrogator is made compact with an integrated optical circuit, then the apparatus can be embedded in the same component as the waveguide, but the interrogator becomes significantly smaller and more integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The optical interrogator with integrated optical circuit is nested within the same fiber-reinforced plastic component that contains the optical waveguide. This nested arrangement allows the compact interrogator to be housed within the structural component, eliminating the need for separate external housing and reducing overall system volume.
3Ease of operation
If the optical waveguide is led out of the component to the interrogator, then external connections are possible, but the waveguide is exposed to damage and the apparatus is less suitable for mobile use
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the optical waveguide and optical interrogator within the same protected component, the system eliminates exposed external connections. This integration enables mobile use since the apparatus becomes a self-contained unit without vulnerable external waveguide pathways, while simultaneously improving reliability through continuous protection.
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
This configuration reduces the risk of optical waveguide damage, allows for compact and reliable sensor apparatuses suitable for mobile and long-term applications, and simplifies the integration with other components like intelligent repair patches and pipeline inspection pigs.
Implementation Method 1
the fiber Bragg grating in the optical waveguide forms a sensor in this case, via which temperature changes and/or elongations of a component can be measured
Implementation Method 2
The optical waveguide is introduced on or in a component to be monitored. The optical interrogator of such a sensor apparatus can be placed remotely from the sensor, the fiber Bragg grating in the optical waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor apparatus is provided in which both an optical interrogator and an optical waveguide are embedded in the same component made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The optical interrogator and the optical waveguide thus form a unit with the component made of fiber-reinforced plastic, in which they are embedded. The optical interrogator and the optical waveguide are arranged in this case protected in the same component made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The optical waveguide does not have to be led out of this component and into the interrogator. The risk of damage to the optical waveguide is thus significantly reduced.