Optical Fiber Temperature Sensor for Narrow Spaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber temperature monitoring apparatuses are not suitable for detecting multiple temperatures in narrow spaces, such as inside inverter boards, where overheating of bus bars and bolts can occur due to aging and vibration, leading to potential short-circuits and loose connections.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber temperature sensor is designed with an ultra-thin insulating housing and multiple sensor rings wound around columnar members, using a silicone-based hermetic sealing to maintain insulation and prevent damage from shakes or excessive force, allowing for precise temperature monitoring in multiple locations within a narrow space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical fiber temperature monitoring apparatuses are used, then temperature measurement is possible, but they cannot be applied to narrow spaces inside appliances due to their large scale and linear structure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber cable is divided into multiple sensor rings at different positions along its length, with each sensor ring independently measuring temperature at its specific location. This segmentation allows the single optical fiber to function as multiple distributed temperature sensors, enabling application in narrow spaces while maintaining measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber cable is wound around and inserted into ultra-thin columnar members that are housed within an ultra-thin housing. This nested structure allows the sensor to achieve the necessary measurement functionality while maintaining an overall compact form factor suitable for narrow spaces inside appliances.
2Measurement precision
If the optical fiber cable is fixed using adhesive and enhanced thermally-conductive filler as described in PTL 2, then the sensor can be disposed in contact with the measurement object, but the temperature measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive and enhanced thermally-conductive filler from the sensor structure. Instead of using these materials to fix and thermally couple the optical fiber, the design relies on the optical fiber's inherent properties and direct contact through the ultra-thin columnar members, thereby eliminating the temperature measurement errors introduced by these materials.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensor rings are wound around columnar members in an ultra-thin housing, then multiple temperature measurements in narrow spaces become possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical fiber cable serves multiple functions by being divided into multiple sensor rings that simultaneously measure temperature at different locations. This multi-functionality allows the sensor to monitor multiple points within narrow spaces using one integrated device, reducing the need for multiple separate sensors and simplifying the overall system.
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
The sensor effectively monitors temperature changes in multiple desired locations, preventing overheating and aging-related issues in bus bars and bolts, while being lightweight and easy to install and maintain, even in confined areas.
Implementation Method 1
one optical fiber cable installed in a tunnel along the lengthwise direction functions in its entire length as a temperature sensor, and collectively measures the temperature distribution in the entire length of the optical fiber cable
Implementation Method 2
All surfaces of the housing are hermetically sealed with a hermetic sealing member made from a silicone-based liquid insulating material
Implementation Method 3
an ultra-thin sheet made from an insulating material having insulation quality equal to or higher than the interphase insulating material between the sandwich bus bars
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber temperature sensor implements a temperature monitoring function in an interphase insulating material between sandwich bus bars. The optical fiber temperature sensor is formed by housing an optical fiber cable in a housing formed from an ultra-thin sheet made from an insulating material having insulation quality equal to or higher than interphase insulating material between sandwich bus bars. Multiple ultra-thin columnar members, each made from same material as is housing, are housed in multiple locations in housing. Multiple sensor rings are each formed by unfixedly winding a portion of optical fiber cable with a length equal to or longer than that corresponding to range resolution around corresponding one of ultra-thin columnar members. The multiple sensor rings measure temperatures in multiple locations. Silicone sealing is applied to housing side surfaces. All surfaces of housing are sealed with a hermetic sealing member made from a silicone-based liquid insulating material.