Optical Fiber Sensing System for Structural Settlement Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing devices for monitoring environmental and structural safety are complex, costly, difficult to maintain, have short service lives, and are prone to electromagnetic interference, limiting their widespread application for continuous monitoring and early warning systems.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system comprising a container with a strain arm and float, combined with an optical fiber measuring unit, which detects bending deformation caused by changes in buoyant force to monitor inclination or settlement of structures, featuring a simple structure, low cost, easy maintenance, and resistance to electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensing devices are used for safety monitoring, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity increases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device is divided into independent modular units, each capable of autonomous operation. Each unit includes a container, float, strain arm, and optical fiber measuring portion, allowing individual installation and maintenance without affecting other sensing points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensing systems with a mechanical-optical system. The float-strain arm mechanism converts structural deformation into measurable optical fiber deformation, eliminating the need for complex electronic components while maintaining measurement precision.
2Productivity
If conventional sensing devices are deployed for continuous monitoring, then real-time data acquisition is achieved, but service life decreases and electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic sensing components with passive mechanical elements (float, strain arm) and optical fiber measurement. This substitution eliminates electromagnetic interference entirely while the simple mechanical structure requires minimal maintenance, significantly extending service life for continuous monitoring applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing units are designed to be self-contained and autonomous. The float-strain arm mechanism automatically responds to structural changes without requiring power or external control systems, enabling long-term continuous monitoring without maintenance intervention.
3Measurement precision
If conventional sensing devices are installed for safety monitoring, then monitoring function is achieved, but construction difficulty increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into standardized modular units that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each unit contains all necessary components (container, float, strain arm, optical fiber), simplifying construction and reducing installation complexity while maintaining accurate inclination and settlement detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive materials such as standard containers, basic floats, and off-the-shelf optical fiber. This approach dramatically reduces manufacturing cost and complexity compared to conventional electronic sensing systems, making the technology economically viable for widespread deployment.
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 continuous, efficient monitoring of structural changes with a long service life, providing early warnings and reducing damage from disasters through accurate detection of inclination and settlement without the drawbacks of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the float shifts by the changes of buoyant force and induce bending deformation of the strain arm
Implementation Method 2
an optical fiber measuring unit having at least one measuring portion, wherein the measuring portion combines with the strain arm and extends between the fixed end and the free end for detecting the bending deformation of the strain arm
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensing system and a sensing method using the same. The sensing system includes at least one tested unit and an optical fiber measuring unit. The tested unit includes a container, a strain arm and a float. The container can be filled with a fluid, and the strain arm is connected with the float and combined with a measuring portion of the optical fiber measuring unit. When the container is disposed on a body of interest, the surface inclination or settlement of the body of interest would cause changes of buoyant force on the floating element and induce bending deformation of the strain arm. Accordingly, the surface deformation of the body of interest can be determined by detecting the bending deformation of the strain arm using the measuring portion combined with the strain arm.