Fiber-Optic Thermometer Probe With Reduced Cladding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber-optic thermometers are complex, costly, and sensitive to bending, making them unsuitable for applications requiring mechanical flexibility and resistance to electromagnetic fields, and they often require complex reading equipment.
Innovation Solution
A simpler and less expensive fiber-optic thermometer probe is developed using an optical fiber with a reduced cladding thickness coated with a temperature-dependent refractive index material and a reflective interface, allowing for temperature measurement through variations in propagated light power, which is coupled with a light source and photo detector for easy calibration and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multi-mode fibers are used for fiber optic temperature measurement, then temperature detection capability is achieved, but bending sensitivity increases and mechanical flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from multi-mode to single-mode fiber optics, fundamentally changing the optical mode parameter to eliminate bending sensitivity while maintaining temperature detection capability through the evanescent field interaction with the temperature-dependent refractive index material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical bending-sensitive multi-mode fiber system with an optical field-based single-mode fiber system that measures temperature through refractive index changes rather than mechanical deformation, substituting mechanical sensitivity with optical field interaction
2Measurement precision
If existing single-mode fiber thermometers with Brillouin Sensors or Fiber Bragg Gratings are used, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex grating structures (Brillouin sensors, Fiber Bragg Gratings) from the system, retaining only the essential single-mode fiber and evanescent field interaction with the temperature-dependent material, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive single-mode fiber probe with disposable characteristics, eliminating the need for complex, expensive grating-based systems while achieving adequate temperature measurement accuracy for the application
3Measurement precision
If spectral change measurement methods are used for fiber optic temperature sensing, then temperature detection is achieved, but reading equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from spectral change (requiring complex spectrometers) to light power intensity variation through the evanescent field, which can be measured with simple photodetectors and reduces reading equipment complexity while maintaining temperature detection capability
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 solution provides a cost-effective, flexible, and accurate temperature measurement with high spatial resolution, suitable for various environments, including those with electromagnetic fields, and can be disposable for medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
coated with a temperature-dependent refractive index material to provide variations in propagated light power upon changes in temperature
Implementation Method 2
a reflective interface optically coupled to a core of the optical fiber to reflect light propagated therein
Implementation Method 3
an optical fiber having a sensing portion with a region of reduced cladding thickness
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber-optic thermometer probe has an optical fiber with a sensing portion, namely a region of reduced cladding thickness coated with a temperature-dependent refractive index material to provide variations in propagated light power upon changes in temperature in a vicinity of the sensing portion. A reflective interface optically coupled to a core of the optical fiber reflects light propagated therein. The sensing portion can be the tip and prepared by etching using a dipping process.