Passive Optical Fiber Grid for Multiple Energetic Penetration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-speed impact detection systems are complex, unreliable, and incapable of detecting multiple near-simultaneous hit-points, with issues such as electromagnetic interference, high data complexity, and inability to record subsequent damage progression efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A passive sensor system using a grid of sensing lines, such as optical fibers, that convert mechanical energy into signals without an active power source, allowing for multiple hit-point detection and damage progression recording with minimal data throughput and high reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active optical sensing systems with electrical power sources are used, then continuous monitoring capability is improved, but system complexity and electromagnetic interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber sensing system uses the impact energy itself to generate the detection signal through photoluminescence or fracture-induced light emission, eliminating the need for external power sources or active sensors at each measurement point. The fiber optic grid passively detects impacts through light emission from damaged zones, converting the impact energy directly into detectable optical signals without requiring electrical power or complex electronics at the sensing locations.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If electrical detection techniques with RF power sources are used, then detection capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces electrical and RF-based detection mechanisms with optical fiber-based detection. Instead of using electrical sensors that are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, the invention uses passive optical fibers that detect impacts through light emission phenomena (photoluminescence, triboluminescence, or fracture-induced emission). This substitution of electrical systems with optical systems eliminates electromagnetic interference while maintaining detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If conventional optical fiber break detection systems are used, then location detection is improved, but multiple hit-point detection capability is lost after first breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber grid maintains continuous detection capability across multiple impacts because each impact generates its own light emission signal at the moment of damage. Unlike break-detection systems that rely on interrupting a continuous light beam, this system uses impacts to actively generate light signals. Therefore, even after the first impact, the fiber grid remains functional for detecting subsequent impacts, as each new impact creates fresh light emission from its damage zone that can be detected by the readout system.
4Productivity
If high-speed data recording is implemented, then damage progression measurement is improved, but data complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber detection grid is divided into many independent segments or zones, with each fiber or fiber segment providing independent detection capability. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple impact signals simultaneously, reducing the complexity of data processing by breaking down the overall detection task into manageable independent channels. Each segment records its own impact events independently, enabling high-speed parallel data acquisition without overwhelming processing requirements.
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 efficient detection and recording of multiple energetic penetrations and subsequent damage with reduced complexity and interference, providing higher speed data recording and robust operation.
Implementation Method 1
Data is generated from detected light radiation originating from hot and energetically excited ends of severed optical fibers during penetration
Implementation Method 2
A grid of fiber-optic lines and mated photo-detectors measure initial and subsequent points of impactor penetration
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple energetic penetration and damage progression sensor is disclosed. A grid of sensing lines, such as passive optical fibers, is formed by laying the sensing lines in a crossing pattern to form a 2-Dimensional or 3-Dimensional coordinate grid. Signal receivers such as photo-detectors are connected to one or both ends of the sensing lines, and a data processor interprets received signals. When an impact or energetic penetration occurs at a location on or near a sensing line, energy passes down the sensing line in both directions away from the point of impact or penetration. Each pair of “X-Y” or “X-Y-Z” recordings from receivers receiving the energy is processed to determine a location, penetration volume and progression in time of the impact or penetration. This sensor can be made conformal to any regular and continuous surface geometry, volume geometry, or surfaces or volumes of physical objects of interest.