Optical Acoustic Emission Sensor With Segmented Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acoustic emission sensors face challenges in potentially explosive environments, high temperatures, and chemically corrosive media due to electrical connections and limitations in direct mechanical coupling to solid measurement objects.
Innovation Solution
An optical acoustic emission sensor with an optical resonator, optically coupled waveguide, light source, and detection device, featuring a coupling device for mechanical attachment to measurement objects, allowing for signal transmission and filtering, and capable of operating in a wide temperature range and corrosive environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrical connection is used in acoustic emission sensor, then piezoelectric detection can be achieved, but the sensor cannot be used in potentially explosive environments, chemically corrosive media or at high ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical piezoelectric detection system with an optical detection system. The acoustic emission sensor uses an optical resonator coupled to a waveguide, where acoustic signals are detected through optical frequency shifts rather than electrical signals. This substitution eliminates electrical connections, enabling safe operation in potentially explosive environments, chemically corrosive media, and high temperature conditions.
2Reliability
If a fiber-optic acoustic emission sensor with two single-mode optical waveguide fibers is used, then vibration detection in harsh environment is achieved, but direct mechanical coupling to a solid measurement object is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coupling mechanism into two distinct elements: a first coupling element for transmitting acoustic emission signals and a second coupling element for positioning and filtering. This segmentation allows the sensor to maintain direct mechanical coupling capability through the first element while the second element provides positioning and filtering functions, resolving the contradiction between mechanical coupling ease and harsh environment reliability.
3Ease of operation
If a coupling device with only one coupling element is used, then mechanical coupling to measurement object is achieved, but signal filtering capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into two functional elements: the first coupling element provides mechanical coupling and signal transmission, while the second coupling element adds positioning and filtering capabilities. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both ease of mechanical coupling and improved measurement precision through signal filtering.
Solution Approach 2:
The second coupling element serves multiple functions: it positions the coupling device on the measurement object and acts as a filter for the acoustic emission signal. This multi-functionality allows a single additional element to simultaneously improve both the ease of operation and measurement precision.
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 reliable detection of structure-borne sound events with high sensitivity and robustness, suitable for use in potentially explosive, high-temperature, and corrosive environments, while maintaining direct mechanical coupling and low size and weight, facilitating precise localization of sound events.
Implementation Method 1
an optical resonator (10) having a sensor region (11) configured for reflective operation
Implementation Method 2
a first coupling element (51) for transmitting an acoustic emission signal between the sensor region and the solid measurement object
Implementation Method 3
an optical waveguide (20) which is optically coupled to the optical resonator (10)
Implementation Method 4
a light source (31) which is optically coupled to the optical waveguide (20) to apply light to the optical waveguide (20)
Implementation Method 5
a detection device (32) which is optically coupled to the optical waveguide (20) to detect light from the optical resonator (10)
Implementation Method 6
the second coupling element (52) is configured to position the coupling device (50) on the solid measurement object (200), and/or wherein the second coupling element (52) acts as a filter for the acoustic emission signal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an acoustic emission sensor (100). The acoustic emission sensor comprises an optical resonator (10) having a sensor region (11) configured for reflective operation; an optical waveguide (20) which is optically coupled to the optical resonator (10); a light source (31) which is optically coupled to the optical waveguide (20) to apply light to the optical waveguide (20); and a detection device (32) which is optically coupled to the optical waveguide (20) to detect light from the optical resonator (10). The sensor region (11) of the optical resonator (10) comprises a coupling device (50) for mechanically coupling to a solid measurement object (200). The coupling device (50) comprises a first coupling element (51) for transmitting an acoustic emission signal between the sensor region (11) and the solid measurement object (200), and at least one second coupling element (52). The second coupling element (52) is configured to position the coupling device (50) on the solid measurement object (200), and/or the second coupling element (52) acts as a filter for the acoustic emission signal.