Overhead Optical Cable Sag Detection by Vibration Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visual inspection of overhead cable sags requires human intervention, leading to increased man-hours and costs.
Innovation Solution
A cable test system and method that calculates the propagation speed of vibrations through an overhead optical fiber cable using an optical fiber vibration distribution measurement apparatus, identifying sag sections by detecting propagation speeds equal to or lower than a threshold value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual inspection is performed by sending a worker to the site, then the presence or absence of cable sags can be detected, but man-hours and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical inspection method (worker visually checking cables on-site) with an optical measurement system. The optical fiber vibration distribution measurement apparatus uses light propagation through the optical fiber to detect vibrations and calculate cable sag sections, eliminating the need for manual site inspection while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system consisting of the optical fiber vibration distribution measurement apparatus and analysis apparatus. This intermediary system acts as a mediator between the cable infrastructure and the inspection process, enabling remote detection of cable sags through vibration analysis without requiring direct human presence at the inspection location.
2Reliability
If visual inspection is performed by sending a worker to the site, then the presence or absence of cable sags can be detected, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive manual inspection operations with an automated optical measurement system. By substituting human workers with the optical fiber vibration distribution measurement apparatus, the system reduces operational costs associated with labor while maintaining or improving detection reliability through automated vibration analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the cable inspection system to perform self-service monitoring by continuously measuring vibration distributions and automatically identifying sag sections. The analysis apparatus autonomously processes the vibration data and generates inspection results without requiring human intervention, reducing operational costs while maintaining high detection reliability.
3Extent of automation
If optical fiber vibration distribution measurement is used, then remote detection of cable sags is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing optical fiber infrastructure, which serves multiple functions including communication and sensing. The same optical fiber cable that transmits data also functions as the sensing medium for vibration detection, eliminating the need for separate sensing infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity despite enabling remote automated detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software-based analysis apparatus that acts as an intermediary between the raw vibration data and the final inspection results. This software mediator automatically processes complex vibration distribution data, calculates propagation speeds, and identifies sag sections, managing the complexity of remote detection through automated algorithms rather than complex hardware.
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 remote detection of cable sags without on-site human intervention, reducing operational costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration distribution waveform measurement apparatus 11 that acquires a vibration distribution waveform of an overhead optical fiber cable 50 to be tested
Implementation Method 2
calculates a propagation speed of vibrations propagating through the overhead optical fiber cable from the vibration distribution waveform
Data Source
AI summary
A cable test system, an analysis apparatus, a cable test method, and a program are capable of recognizing a sag section of an overhead cable without sending a worker to a site. In some implementations, the cable test system includes an optical fiber vibration distribution measurement apparatus that acquires a vibration distribution waveform of an overhead optical fiber cable to be tested. The vibration distribution waveform being represented in a time domain and a distance domain in a longitudinal direction. The analysis apparatus that calculates a propagation speed of vibrations propagating through the overhead optical fiber cable from the vibration distribution waveform and detects, as a cable sag section, a section of the overhead optical fiber cable in which the propagation speed is equal to or lower than a threshold value.