Multimode Fiber Acoustic Sensor for Low-Energy Underwater Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high sensitivity acoustic detection systems for underwater applications have high energy consumption, making them inefficient for compact and low-energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic sensor utilizing a multimode optical fiber with reflectors to convert acoustic signals into phase shifts, coupled with a light source and detector system that measures phase shifts for accurate signal detection with low energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional microphones or optical fiber acoustic measurement systems are used, then high sensitivity acoustic detection is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical microphone systems with an optical-based measurement system using optical fibers to detect acoustic signals. The optical fiber sensor system substitutes mechanical vibration detection with optical phase shift detection, achieving high sensitivity while consuming less energy since optical fibers passively transmit light without requiring active electronic components at the sensing location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fiber as an intermediary medium between the acoustic field and the detection system. The optical fiber acts as a mediator that converts acoustic pressure variations into phase shifts of light waves, enabling indirect measurement of acoustic signals with high sensitivity and low energy consumption through the optical domain rather than direct electrical or mechanical detection.
2Volume of moving object
If compact autonomous systems are deployed, then system size is reduced, but maintaining high sensitivity acoustic detection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the acoustic sensing element, the signal transmission medium, and the phase modulation device. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high sensitivity detection capabilities in a compact form factor, as the same optical fiber component performs all critical roles without requiring separate bulky subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the measurement from the mechanical vibration domain to the optical phase domain, effectively using a different dimension (optical phase shifts) to encode acoustic information. This dimensional change allows high sensitivity detection to be achieved through phase measurement rather than direct mechanical displacement measurement, enabling compact system design.
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 system achieves high sensitivity acoustic signal measurement with low energy consumption, maintaining accuracy and enabling compact, efficient underwater acoustic detection systems suitable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the component converting an acoustic signal to be measured into a phase shift proportional to an intermodal interference between at least two propagation modes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an acoustic sensor including: —a component having an input and an output, the component being able to conduct light waves in a plurality of propagation modes between the input and the output, the component converting an acoustic signal to be measured into a phase shift proportional to an intermodal interference between at least two propagation modes, and —a detector of a physical quantity dependent on the phase shift.