Optical Fiber Pressure Pass-Through Apparatus for High-Pressure Strain Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical fiber-based strain measurement techniques face limitations in reliability and cost when used in high-pressure environments, as existing products for pressure boundary penetration are expensive and offer low reliability, making it challenging to measure strain in non-ambient conditions such as high pressure and elevated temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A pressure pass-through apparatus is developed using readily available components in a novel configuration, featuring a flexible waveguide with strain relief material and a protective sheath, capable of withstanding high pressures and temperatures, allowing reliable and economical transmission of optical signals from a low-pressure to a high-pressure environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing products for pressure boundary penetration are used, then optical signal transmission is achieved, but reliability is low and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure pass-through apparatus is divided into distinct functional segments: a pressure boundary portion with a hole for fiber passage, a protective sheath covering the fiber, and strain relief features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled from readily available off-the-shelf parts, reducing overall cost while maintaining reliability through specialized design of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber is nested within a protective sheath, which is in turn positioned within the pressure pass-through apparatus. The strain relief material wraps around the fiber and is embedded in the pressure boundary portion. This nested configuration protects the fiber from pressure and mechanical stress while allowing optical signal transmission, achieving both reliability and cost-effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical fibers are exposed to high pressure environments, then strain measurement is enabled, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A protective sheath acts as an intermediary between the optical fiber and the high-pressure environment. The sheath, along with strain relief material embedded in the pressure boundary portion, mediates the mechanical stresses, protecting the fiber from direct exposure to high pressure and strain while still enabling strain measurement capabilities through the waveguide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sheath is designed as a flexible covering that conforms to the fiber and provides mechanical protection against high pressure and strain. This flexible shell approach allows the fiber to maintain signal transmission reliability while adapting to the high-pressure environment and enabling strain measurement through controlled deformation of the sheath and waveguide.
3Reliability
If a pressure pass-through apparatus is created with specialized components, then reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protective functions into a single integrated pressure pass-through apparatus structure. The protective sheath, strain relief material, and pressure boundary portion work together as a unified assembly that can be manufactured as one component or pre-assembled unit. This merging reduces device complexity compared to using multiple separate components while maintaining high reliability through integrated protection mechanisms.
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 apparatus provides a highly reliable and cost-effective solution for measuring strain in high-pressure environments by ensuring signal transmission through optical fibers, maintaining reliability and durability across a wide range of operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
allowing reliable and economical transmission of optical signals from a low-pressure to a high-pressure environment
Implementation Method 2
capable of withstanding high pressures and temperatures
Implementation Method 3
capable of withstanding high pressures and temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided which comprises pressure pass-thru means, which includes: an optic fiber having a first end and a second end; a first connector coupled to the first end; a second connector coupled to the second end; a housing between the first and second ends, wherein the housing covers a portion of the optic fiber, wherein a portion of the optic fiber in the housing is bare; a filing material inside the housing; and a swaged gland fitting on the housing to secure the apparatus to a pressure boundary.