Optical Fiber Probe With Bent Large-Diameter Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fiber probes used in harsh environments like turbines are prone to damage and positional changes due to high temperatures and pressures, leading to reduced detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber probe design with a small-diameter front-end and large-diameter rear-end portion, where the large-diameter portion is bent and pressed against a probe body's surface, and an elastic member or position regulating member is used to maintain the optical fiber's position, eliminating the need for a sealing member and protecting against environmental exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical fiber probe is used in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, then the detection capability is maintained, but the optical fiber may be dented from the surface and the sealing member may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is divided into two distinct portions: a small-diameter portion that extends to the detection surface and a large-diameter portion that is pressed against the inner wall. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function while protecting the fiber from environmental damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the optical fiber have different diameters to fulfill different functions. The small-diameter portion is positioned at the detection surface for optimal detection performance, while the large-diameter portion is positioned inside the probe body for protection and fixation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a sealing member is used to fix the optical fiber, then the optical fiber position is stabilized, but the sealing member may be damaged in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber's own large-diameter portion serves as its own fixation mechanism by being pressed against the inner wall of the probe body. This eliminates the need for a separate sealing member that would be vulnerable to environmental damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is completely removed from the design. Instead of using an external sealing component, the invention uses the optical fiber's own structural characteristics (the large-diameter portion) to achieve fixation and sealing functions.
3Ease of operation
If the optical fiber is exposed to the external environment, then the detection surface is accessible, but the optical fiber is vulnerable to denting and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is segmented into a small-diameter detection portion that reaches the surface and a large-diameter protected portion that remains inside the probe body, allowing detection functionality while protecting the fiber.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe body structure acts as a protective shell that encloses and protects the optical fiber. The large-diameter portion of the fiber is pressed against the inner wall of this protective shell, providing mechanical support and protection.
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
This configuration effectively prevents the optical fiber from denting and maintains detection accuracy even in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, enhancing the reliability of measurements and reducing the risk of sealing member damage.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member for pressing the optical fiber toward the surface for detection
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber probe includes a probe body, an optical fiber, and a position regulating member. The probe body has a first bottom plate with an outer surface, a second bottom plate opposite to the first bottom, and an internal space. The optical fiber is housed in the internal space. The position regulating member is attached to the probe body. The optical fiber includes a small-diameter portion and a large-diameter portion. The first bottom plate has an inner surface in the internal space and a through hole for communicating the outer surface and the inner surface. The small-diameter portion is inserted into the through hole. The large-diameter portion is arranged such that a first end face thereof is in contact with the inner surface while being bent by the position regulating member in contact with a second end face thereof.