Helical Optical Waveguide for Tubular Deformation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining deformation in three-dimensional, flexible tubular structures face challenges such as high material stress, limited resolution, and measurement inaccuracies due to the need for precise placement of strain gauges, which can shift over time, and the inability to access all sections of the structure.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using a single or multiple optical waveguides with fiber Bragg gratings arranged in a helical winding within the tubular structure, allowing for flexible placement of strain gauges and reducing stress on the fibers, with an evaluation device to determine deformation by interpolating measurement information from a large number of strain points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If strain gauges are arranged in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the central axis to determine curvature, then deformation measurement is enabled, but the fibers experience high average stress and the distance from the central axis is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from measuring deformation in a single cross-sectional plane to measuring deformation along the entire length of the tubular structure using distributed strain gauges on helically wound fibers. This multi-dimensional approach allows curvature determination at multiple positions simultaneously, reducing stress on individual fibers while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the continuous fiber into multiple segments with strain gauges positioned at different locations along the tubular structure. This segmentation distributes the measurement function across multiple points, reducing the stress burden on any single fiber segment while enabling comprehensive deformation analysis.
2Measurement precision
If strain gauges are positioned precisely within cross-sectional planes during manufacturing, then measurement accuracy is achieved, but the position of gauges can change uncontrollably over time due to material drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates strain gauges into the fiber structure during the manufacturing process, establishing their positions before the fiber is wound onto the tubular structure. This preliminary positioning ensures that the relative positions of strain gauges to each other and to the tubular structure remain stable over time, preventing material drift from affecting measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the strain gauge positioning with the fiber winding process, integrating the measurement function directly into the structural component. This merging eliminates the need for separate, precise positioning steps that would be susceptible to material drift, as the strain gauges move with the fiber as a unified structure.
3Measurement precision
If multiple strain gauges are used to determine three-dimensional deformation, then complete deformation information is obtained, but the most precise positioning of strain gauges within fibers is required during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses helically wound fibers that extend along the entire length of the tubular structure, transforming the manufacturing problem from positioning gauges in a single cross-sectional plane to positioning them along a three-dimensional helical path. This approach distributes the positioning requirements across multiple easily locatable positions along the fiber length, reducing the overall manufacturing precision burden while enabling complete three-dimensional deformation determination.
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
This approach simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces positional inaccuracies, and enhances measurement accuracy by allowing for flexible routing of optical waveguides, reducing fiber breakage risk, and enabling real-time deformation determination without the need for continuous strain gauge placement.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one optical waveguide has a plurality of strain gauges, in particular in the form of fiber Bragg gratings
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (110) and a method (152) for detecting a deformation (170) of a flexible three-dimensional structure in the form of a tubular structure (112). At least one optical waveguide (116) is introduced into the tubular structure (112), and the optical waveguide (116) runs within the tubular structure (116) in the form of a helical coil (118) and has a plurality of expansion measurement points (126). The device (110) further comprises at least one analysis device (130) which is designed to detect the deformation of the tubular structure (112), in particular with respect to an axis, a surface, and/or a volume of the structure (112) from measurement values (154) from the plurality of expansion measurement points (126).