Helical Fiber-Optic Pressure Sensor for Soil Pressure Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic pressure sensors struggle with measurement accuracy, particularly when measuring fluid pressure in environments like soil, as they are influenced by mechanical pressures from solid bodies such as rock or soil.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a base body and a fiber optic sensor unit designed helically around it, featuring a transmission unit that isolates fluid pressure from mechanical pressure, using a deformable base body and a porous material to absorb fluid pressure independently, combined with a compensation element for temperature fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fiber optic pressure sensor is used to measure fluid pressure in soil, then the sensor can detect pressure changes, but the measurement accuracy is degraded by mechanical pressure from solid bodies such as rock or soil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmission unit as an intermediary component between the fluid pressure source and the sensor element. This transmission unit selectively transmits fluid pressure to the sensor while blocking or isolating the sensor from mechanical pressure exerted by solid bodies like rock or soil. The transmission unit acts as a mediator that allows only the desired fluid pressure signal to reach the sensor, eliminating the harmful influence of solid body mechanical pressure on measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous material in the transmission unit to achieve selective pressure transmission. The porous structure allows fluid pressure to pass through while providing mechanical isolation from solid body pressures. The porous material's permeability characteristics enable it to transmit fluid pressure uniformly to the sensor element while blocking the transmission of mechanical stresses from surrounding solid materials, thus resolving the contradiction between sensing capability and resistance to harmful mechanical factors.
2Reliability
If the base body is made deformable to transmit pressure, then pressure transmission is improved, but temperature fluctuations cause measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a compensation element with different thermal expansion characteristics than the base body. The compensation element is designed to counteract temperature-induced deformations in the base body. When temperature fluctuates, the compensation element undergoes dimensional changes that offset the thermal effects on the sensor element, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving the base body's deformability for accurate pressure transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of temperature fluctuations into a beneficial compensation mechanism. The compensation element, which experiences temperature-induced deformation just like the base body, is designed with specific properties that allow it to counteract these changes. The temperature effects that would normally cause measurement errors are transformed into a compensating action that restores measurement accuracy, turning the harmful thermal influence into a useful correction mechanism.
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
Achieves high measurement accuracy and reliability of fluid pressure, isolating fluid pressure from mechanical pressures and compensating for temperature variations, enabling precise fluid pressure measurement in soils and rocks.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber optic sensor unit (12) which comprises at least one sensor element (13) designed as a light-conducting fiber, which extends along a longitudinal extent of the base body (11) at least substantially helically around the base body (11)
Implementation Method 2
using a deformable base body and a porous material to absorb fluid pressure independently
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor device (10a; 10b) at least for measuring a fluid pressure, said sensor device comprising: a main body (11a; 11b); a fibre-optic sensor unit (12a; 12b) having at least one sensor element (13a; 13b) which is designed as a light-conducting fibre and which extends along a longitudinal extent of the main body (11a; 11b) at least substantially helically around the main body (11a; 11b). According to the invention, a transmission unit (14a; 14b), which is located in at least one measuring region (15a; 15b) around the main body (11a; 11b) and the at least one sensor element (13a; 13b), is designed to receive a fluid from an environment and to transmit a fluid pressure to the sensor unit (12a; 12b) in order to deform the at least one sensor element (13a; 13b).