Optical Fiber Cable Fixation for Accurate Shape Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable shape sensing technologies face challenges in accurately sensing the longitudinal shape of cables due to changes in the radial position of structural materials, which can affect optical transmission characteristics and lead to damage, especially in diverse cable types and environments.
Innovation Solution
A cable design incorporating a plurality of optical fiber cores fixed at multiple positions along the longitudinal direction to structural materials, such as power lines, coating layers, and tension members, utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry or Brillouin scattered light to calculate strain and shape, ensuring minimal radial displacement and accurate shape sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical fiber is introduced for cable shape sensing, then shape sensing capability is provided, but high-accuracy sensing is difficult due to radial position changes of structural materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical fiber core wire as an intermediary element that is specifically fixed to structural materials at multiple positions along the longitudinal direction. This intermediary component transfers the structural materials' radial position stability to the optical fiber, enabling accurate shape sensing by maintaining a stable relative position between the optical fiber and the cable structure during longitudinal bending.
2Stability of the object's composition
If optical fiber core wire is fixed at multiple positions in longitudinal direction, then radial position stability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by fixing the optical fiber core wire at multiple discrete positions along the longitudinal direction rather than continuous fixation. This segmented approach provides sufficient radial position stability for accurate shape sensing while avoiding the excessive complexity of continuous fixation mechanisms, achieving an optimal balance between stability and simplicity.
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 high-accuracy longitudinal shape sensing of cables, preventing damage and maintaining optical transmission quality by stabilizing optical fiber cores within the cable structure, suitable for various cable types and environments.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry or Brillouin scattered light to calculate strain and shape
Implementation Method 2
utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry or Brillouin scattered light to calculate strain and shape
Data Source
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AI summary
A cable includes: a plurality of optical fiber cores; and one or more optical fiber core wires including one or more of the optical fiber cores, in which the optical fiber core wire is fixed at a plurality of positions in a cable longitudinal direction so as to achieve substantially no displacement in a cable radial direction. The cable may be formed of a plurality of structural materials including transmission lines, and the optical fiber core wire may be fixed at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction to at least one of the plurality of structural materials.