Fluorescence Sensor Network for Remote Multi-Property Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measurement devices face challenges in environments with electrical disturbances, high moisture, or high temperatures, making it difficult to simultaneously measure multiple properties using conventional methods, especially in remote and hard-to-access locations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an active unit with a UV light source, passive units connected via optical links, and a selector to divert UV light to sensors with fluorescent materials that modulate light based on external influences, allowing for simultaneous measurement of multiple properties using optical sensors that are passive and remotely accessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical measurement methods are used, then measurement capability is available, but the device cannot operate in environments with electrical disturbances, high moisture, or high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical measurement systems with an optical measurement system. The active unit with UV light source and optical detector substitutes electrical sensors and processing equipment. Optical fibers transmit light signals instead of electrical signals, enabling operation in electrically hostile environments while maintaining measurement capabilities through photodetection and optical signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as intermediary elements between the measurement object and the detection system. The optical fiber acts as a mediator that transmits optical signals from the measurement location to the active unit, allowing the sensor to be remotely positioned and isolated from electrical disturbances while still capturing measurement data
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical sensors are used to measure several properties simultaneously, then measurement versatility increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement platform where a single active unit can interface with multiple passive sensor units through the selector mechanism. The selector enables one active unit to serve multiple measurement functions by dynamically routing optical signals to different sensors, allowing simultaneous multi-parameter measurement without requiring separate dedicated systems for each parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the selector, which can switch between different passive sensor units in real-time. This dynamic routing capability allows the system to adaptively allocate measurement resources, enabling simultaneous monitoring of multiple properties by sequentially or concurrently directing optical signals to appropriate sensors based on measurement requirements
3Ease of operation
If passive optical sensors are used in remote locations, then ease of operation in difficult areas improves, but measurement precision may be affected by optical signal transmission losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation of the UV light source to encode measurement signals. By modulating the light source at specific frequencies and detecting the corresponding modulated fluorescence signals, the system can distinguish genuine measurement data from background noise and transmission losses, thereby maintaining measurement precision over long optical fiber distances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fluorescence as an optical copy mechanism. The passive sensor units absorb UV light and re-emit it as fluorescent light at different wavelengths, creating an optical signal copy that carries measurement information. This fluorescence copying process amplifies the measurement signal and makes it detectable over long distances through optical fibers, preserving measurement precision despite transmission losses
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 simultaneous, efficient measurement of multiple properties in challenging environments by using passive optical sensors that are not influenced by electrical disturbances, providing accurate and reliable data through modulated optical signals.
Implementation Method 1
said sensor comprising a fluorescent material being affected by said first portion of said emitted UV-light being diverted by said selector via said first optical path, and wherein said light source is configured to emit UV-light in a wavelength emission spectrum, that affects said fluorescent material and said fluorescent material being configured to radiate light in a radiated wavelength spectrum when being affected by said emitted UV-light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2.1~2.2
Figure 2.3
AI summary
A device for monitoring a measurement object (107b), comprising: an active unit (115) having a light source (101) emitting light with a wavelength spectrum and an optical detector (109). An optical link (104a, 104b) passes the emitted light to a at least one passive unit (117). Each passive unit comprises a sensor (106) and a selector (105) for diverting the emitted light to the sensor. The sensor comprises a luminescent material (332, 342, 905, 1002, 1107, 1109) being directly or indirectly affected by the emitted light diverted by the selector (105). The sensor (106) is sensitive to an external influence (107a, 107a', 107a'') by the measurement object (107b) for producing a modulated signal, which is passed to said detector (109) via the optical link (104a). The luminescent material may be a fluorescent material, which is directly irradiated by the emitted light from the light source.