Optical Fiber Sensing Device for Compression Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber sensing devices face challenges in accurately measuring the amount of compressive force and determining the direction of forces exerted on optical fibers, leading to inaccuracies in sensing compression or deformation of compressible or deformable elements.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber sensing device comprising a substantially incompressible tubular element with a recess and an optical fiber with light distortion structures, along with expandable elements at both ends that correlate the lengthening/contraction of the optical fiber with shifts in the wavelength of light, allowing for more accurate measurement by isolating the light distortion structure from radial compressive forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical fiber sensing device uses light distortion structures to detect compression, then it can sense pressure changes, but it cannot accurately measure the amount of compressive force or determine the direction of forces
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is segmented into multiple sections, each containing light distortion structures oriented at different angles. This segmentation allows each segment to detect forces from specific directions, enabling both quantitative measurement of compressive force and determination of force direction through comparative analysis of signals from different segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the optical fiber are given different local qualities by orienting light distortion structures at different angles in each section. This local differentiation enables the system to distinguish force directions while maintaining accurate measurement of compressive force magnitude in each directional component.
2Measurement precision
If the optical fiber is directly exposed to radial compressive forces, then it can detect pressure changes, but it suffers from non-radial deformation causing polarization changes and measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The light distortion structures are extracted from direct exposure to radial compressive forces and placed within protective tubular elements. This extraction shields them from harmful non-radial deformations while allowing them to detect pressure changes through controlled mechanical coupling, thereby improving both measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Tubular elements serve as intermediary structures between the compressive forces and the light distortion structures. These intermediaries transmit pressure information to the sensing structures while protecting them from direct exposure to damaging non-radial deformations, ensuring reliable and accurate measurements.
3Area of stationary object
If the optical fiber sensing device uses distributed sensors along the optical fiber, then it can detect changes at multiple measurement points, but it cannot verify the direction of compressive forces
Solution Approach 1:
Light distortion structures in different sections of the optical fiber are oriented asymmetrically at different angles. This asymmetric arrangement enables each sensing point to be sensitive to forces from specific directions, allowing the distributed sensor system to not only cover a large area but also determine the direction of compressive forces through comparative analysis of signals from different oriented structures.
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 solution enables precise measurement of compression or deformation and direction of forces, reducing measurement errors and improving the prediction of integrity and potential failure of compressible or deformable elements, such as gaskets.
Implementation Method 1
The optical fiber comprises one or more light distortion structures, such as a fiber Bragg grating, and being expandable in the length direction of the recess
Implementation Method 2
the expandable elements being arranged for expanding or contracting in the length direction, along with the optical fiber, when the expandable elements are subjected to a transverse load
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical fiber sensing device (1) for sensing the distribution of the compression/deformation of a compressible/deformable element (2), comprising: an incompressible/undeformable tubular element (3) with a recess (4) extending in a length direction (X) thereof, the recess being enclosed by the tubular element, an optical fiber (5) arranged in the recess, comprising one or more light distortion structures (6), and being expandable in the length direction of the recess, one or more expandable elements (8), having a higher compressibility/deformability than the tubular element in a transverse direction (Y), arranged at one or both ends (9) of the tubular element, the optical fiber being enclosed in the expandable elements, which are arranged for expanding/contracting in the length direction, along with the optical fiber, when the expandable elements are subjected to a transverse load (F).