Infrared Cable Optical Conductor for Enclosure Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature monitoring systems for electrical equipment, such as switchgear, face challenges in accessing and monitoring multiple locations within enclosures due to obstructed lines of sight and dense equipment layouts, making it difficult to detect potential overheating issues using infrared cameras.
Innovation Solution
The use of infrared cables positioned proximate to monitored locations within enclosures to conduct infrared light to a remote infrared camera outside the enclosure, allowing for the detection of temperature data from previously inaccessible areas, which is then processed to identify potential overheating and reliability issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrared cameras are placed within enclosures to monitor equipment temperature, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to obstructed lines of sight and dense equipment layouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces infrared cables as intermediary elements that conduct infrared light from monitored locations to a remote infrared camera. The cables act as mediators between the hot spots within the enclosure and the camera outside, eliminating the need to place the camera inside the obstructed enclosure while maintaining monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into separate functional components: infrared cable stubs positioned at monitored locations within the enclosure, infrared cables conducting the light, and a remote infrared camera. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned without compromising the others, reducing installation complexity
2Area of stationary object
If infrared cameras are positioned to access multiple monitored locations, then monitoring coverage is improved, but line of sight obstructions and dense equipment layouts prevent effective monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
Infrared cables serve as intermediaries that bypass line of sight obstructions. The cables can be routed through equipment and structures that block direct optical paths, allowing the infrared camera to detect thermal radiation from locations that would otherwise be inaccessible
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from direct optical line-of-sight monitoring to indirect monitoring via cable-conducted infrared light. This dimensional change allows monitoring of locations that are not visible from the camera position, effectively adding a new dimension to the monitoring capability
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 effective monitoring of temperatures at multiple locations within enclosures, even when they are not within the line of sight of an infrared camera, providing real-time data on potential overheating and reliability issues, thus enhancing the detection of impending failures.
Implementation Method 1
each respective infrared cable stub being can be configured to conduct infrared light emitted from the respective one of the plurality of monitored locations
Implementation Method 2
An infrared cable can be optically coupled to the plurality of infrared cable stubs, where the infrared cable can be configured to conduct the infrared light
Data Source
AI summary
A remote monitoring system can include a plurality of infrared cables, where each of the infrared cables can have a respective first opening at a first end of the cable and a respective second opening at a second end of the infrared cable that is opposite the first end. The infrared cables can be configured to conduct infrared light emitted from a respective one of a plurality of monitored locations into the respective first opening to exit at the respective second opening. An infrared camera including an infrared sensor array can be optically coupled to each of the second openings of the plurality of infrared cables.