Fiber Optic Circuit Breaker With Delay-Line Overpower Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber optic technology lacks effective high-speed protection mechanisms for sensitive components, as existing fuse-like devices have slow response times and are ineffective at low power levels, posing risks to expensive high-bandwidth detectors and photoreceivers in optical systems.

Innovation Solution

A high-speed optical circuit breaker with a parallel protection path and delay line, which includes an optical coupler, photodiode, comparator, and latching device to detect and respond to power threshold exceedances, preventing overpower conditions by either interrupting or attenuating the signal, allowing user-adjustable thresholds and self-resetting capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fuse-like protection devices are used in optical fibers, then protection function is provided, but response time is slow and ineffective at low power levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection functionVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal fuse-like protection devices with an optical-based protection system using photodetectors and optical switches. This substitution enables much faster response times by detecting optical power levels directly through photodetectors and actuating optical switches to block excessive power, eliminating the slow thermal response of traditional fuses while maintaining effective protection at low power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces photodetectors as intermediary devices that detect optical power levels and trigger the protection mechanism. These photodetectors act as mediators between the optical signal and the protection switch, enabling fast detection and response to power surges before they reach the protected component, thus resolving the slow response time issue of direct fuse-like devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If high bandwidth detectors are used to increase data rates, then detector bandwidth is improved, but detectors become more susceptible to damage at higher optical power levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector bandwidthVSAvoidsusceptibility to damage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by placing the protection device in series before the high-bandwidth detector. The photodetector monitors optical power levels upstream, and when excessive power is detected, the optical switch blocks the signal before it can reach and damage the expensive high-bandwidth detector. This preemptive protection allows the detector to operate at high bandwidth without increased susceptibility to damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple optical amplifiers are present in the system, then system capability is enhanced, but large power bursts can cause instant destruction of sensitive photoreceivers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem capabilityVSAvoidpower burst damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by using a photodetector to continuously monitor optical power levels in the system. When multiple optical amplifiers create power bursts, the photodetector detects these surges and feeds back a signal to the optical switch, which then blocks excessive power before it reaches the photoreceiver. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain enhanced capability with multiple amplifiers while protecting against power burst damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The optical circuit breaker provides rapid and cost-effective protection for sensitive optical devices, preventing damage from high power bursts and ensuring system reliability while minimizing equipment loss, by triggering protection measures before the main signal can cause harm.

Implementation Method 1

an optical coupler, a delay line and a protection device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coupling:

Implementation Method 2

A fiber optic circuit breaker includes a main optical transmission path including an optical coupler, a delay line and a protection device, and a parallel protection path configured to receive a tapped portion of a signal provided to the main optical transmission path and generate a reference signal based on the tapped portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10439733B2Fiber optic circuit breaker

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

AI summary

An optical circuit breaker includes a main optical transmission path including an optical coupler, a delay line and a protection device, and a parallel protection path configured to receive a tapped portion of a signal provided to the main optical transmission path and generate a reference signal based on the tapped portion. The protection device may be configured to be triggered to prevent an overpower condition from passing through the optical circuit breaker responsive to the reference signal exceeding a user selectable threshold. The delay line may be configured to have a longer delay than a time it takes for the protection device to be triggered via the parallel protection path.