Integrated Optical Current Sensor with Bonded Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional current sensors face accuracy issues due to leakage currents, magnetic saturation, and environmental dependencies, particularly with electromagnetic field sensors, and require improvements in signal reliability and stability against external vibrations and temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
An integrated optical system-based optical current sensor system is developed, incorporating a light source, beam circulator, polarizer, phase modulator, and detector, with optical components optically bonded to minimize distortion and optical losses, using low thermal expansion glass materials and spatial non-reciprocal phase modulation to enhance stability and measurement precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electromagnetic field type current sensors are used, then current measurement is achieved, but accuracy is reduced due to leakage currents, magnetic saturation, and environmental dependence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic field-based sensing with an optical sensing system that uses light propagation through optical fibers to measure current. The optical system detects magnetic field-induced changes in light properties (such as polarization or phase) without using electromagnetic coils or ferromagnetic cores, thereby eliminating leakage currents, magnetic saturation, and environmental magnetic field interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium to detect current. Instead of directly measuring electromagnetic fields with susceptible sensors, the system uses light as a mediator that interacts with the magnetic field through the optical fiber, converting magnetic field information into optical signal changes that are immune to electromagnetic interference and environmental factors.
2Speed
If optical fiber current sensors are used, then fast response characteristics and low power consumption are achieved, but system stability is affected by external vibrations and temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical components (light source, modulator, optical fibers, detectors, and signal processing units) into an integrated optical system. This integration reduces the number of external connections and interfaces that could be affected by vibrations, while the unified system design allows for better thermal management and reduced temperature sensitivity through coordinated component operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter modulation techniques where the optical properties (such as polarization state or phase) are deliberately modulated at specific frequencies. By operating at these defined parameters and using differential measurement techniques, the system can distinguish between intentional signal changes and environmental disturbances caused by vibrations or temperature variations.
3Ease of operation
If separate optical components are used in the current sensor system, then alignment flexibility is maintained, but optical losses increase and product size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate optical components into a single integrated optical assembly where light sources, modulators, waveguides, and detectors are co-located and optically coupled without external alignment. This integration eliminates alignment interfaces that cause optical losses while maintaining the functional flexibility of having adjustable optical paths within the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where smaller optical components are embedded within a larger integrated optical platform. The light source, modulator, and detector are nested within the same housing with internal optical coupling, eliminating the need for external alignment while preserving functional adjustability through internal configuration options.
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
The integrated optical system improves measurement reliability by reducing optical losses and temperature variations, eliminating alignment needs, and minimizing product size and cost, while maintaining high precision and stability against external disturbances.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for generating a reference light for current or magnetic field sensing
Implementation Method 2
a polarizer for polarizing the reference light
Implementation Method 3
a phase modulator for phase-modulating the polarized light into a predetermined reference signal
Implementation Method 4
a Faraday rotation reflector that reflects a light propagated along an optical path from the end of an optical fiber
Implementation Method 5
a detector for current or magnetic field sensing
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an integrated optical system-based optical current sensor system comprising a light source generating reference light for current or magnetic field sensing, a polarizer for polarizing the reference light, a phase modulator for phase-modulating the polarized light into a predetermined reference signal, and a Faraday rotation reflector for reflecting the light propagated through an optical path at the end of the optical fiber, wherein the invention further comprises a plurality of pig-tailed optical fiber blocks in which the optical fibers are accommodated therein, and an integrated optical system composed of a plurality of optical components optically bonded to the pig-tailed blocks at interfaces with the pig-tailed blocks.