Optical Fiber Temperature Measurement for Roller Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber temperature distribution measurement systems struggle to detect roller abnormalities in belt conveyors due to low and localized temperature increases, which can be masked by noise or spatial resolution limitations, requiring complex and costly fiber laying configurations.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber temperature distribution measurement system that lays fibers in a loop shape with separate parts for measuring roller and environmental temperatures, calculating temperature differences across spatial resolution zones and summing adjacent zone differences to enhance detection sensitivity and reduce noise, allowing for simpler fiber deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical fiber is brought into close contact with a metal part configured to support the roller, then a slight change in temperature can be detected, but the configuration should be provided for each roller which increases the cost and complexity of fiber laying
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is divided into multiple spatial resolution zones along its length, allowing different segments to monitor different locations. This enables distributed temperature sensing along the conveyor belt path without requiring individual fiber installations for each roller, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
A single optical fiber configuration serves multiple rollers and detection points along the conveyor belt, making the system universal rather than requiring dedicated fibers for each roller. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of fiber laying operations while maintaining comprehensive temperature monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If the optical fiber temperature distribution measurement device is used to measure temperatures near the belt conveyor, then fire occurrence can be detected, but the low and localized temperature increase due to roller abnormality cannot be sufficiently expressed due to spatial resolution limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system enhances local temperature measurement capability by calculating temperature differences between adjacent spatial resolution zones. This local differential measurement approach allows detection of subtle, localized temperature increases caused by roller abnormalities while preserving the ability to detect broader temperature rises associated with fire conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring absolute temperature values to measuring temperature differences between adjacent zones. This dimensional change in the measurement parameter enables detection of localized thermal anomalies that would be imperceptible in absolute temperature measurements, while fire detection remains effective through overall temperature threshold monitoring.
3Area of stationary object
If the optical fiber is laid in a coil shape in the vicinity of the roller to secure fiber length, then detection coverage is improved, but the work for laying down the optical fiber becomes troublesome and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of coiling the optical fiber to increase its length and coverage, the patent inverts the approach by using a straight or simply laid fiber and achieving extended coverage through the spatial resolution zones along the fiber length. This reversal of the conventional approach simplifies fiber laying operations while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage along the conveyor belt path.
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 precise detection of roller abnormalities with reduced noise interference and lower deployment costs by emphasizing local temperature increases through temperature difference calculations across and between spatial resolution zones.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber temperature distribution measurement module configured to measure a temperature distribution by using return light from the optical fiber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An optical fiber temperature distribution measurement system includes a temperature difference calculator configured to calculate a temperature difference between corresponding spatial resolution zones based on a first temperature distribution obtained by a return light from a first optical fiber part and a second temperature distribution obtained by a return light from a second optical fiber part, and an abnormality detector configured to calculate a temperature difference for evaluation for each spatial resolution zone, the temperature difference for evaluation being a sum of a temperature difference of each spatial resolution zone and a temperature difference of a spatial resolution zone adjacent thereto, and to determine that an abnormality has occurred in a roller near the spatial resolution zone when the calculated temperature difference for evaluation exceeds a reference value.