Optical Fiber Wind Direction Detection via Vibration Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies cannot detect wind direction using optical fiber sensors, despite being able to measure wind velocity.
Innovation Solution
An evaluation apparatus and method that acquires time-space data on vibrations in overhead optical fibers, evaluates wind velocity and propagation speed, and determines wind direction by analyzing the data using a processor, allowing for the detection of wind direction in predetermined analysis sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a special optical fiber cable with heating elements is used to detect wind velocity, then wind velocity detection is enabled, but wind direction detection remains impossible and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wind direction detection capability from the complex heated cable system and implements it separately using a standard optical fiber with DAS technology. By analyzing the propagation direction of vibrations in the optical fiber, the system achieves wind direction detection without requiring special cable structures or heating elements, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the standard optical fiber universal by enabling it to perform both wind velocity detection (through vibration magnitude analysis) and wind direction detection (through vibration propagation direction analysis) using the same infrastructure. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for special-purpose cables while maintaining detection accuracy
2Device complexity
If existing optical fibers are used without special structures, then device complexity is reduced, but wind direction detection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical heating and temperature measurement system with an optical-based vibration analysis system. By using DAS technology to detect and analyze vibration propagation characteristics in the optical fiber, the system substitutes mechanical/thermal methods with optical field methods, enabling wind direction detection while maintaining simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the analysis parameters from temperature changes (in heated cables) to vibration propagation characteristics (in standard optical fibers). By analyzing the direction of vibration propagation along the optical fiber, the system recovers wind direction information without requiring special fiber structures, thus preventing information loss while maintaining device simplicity
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 the detection of wind direction in addition to wind velocity, without the need for special optical fiber cables, using existing optical fibers and communication cables, facilitating environmental monitoring and alert systems.
Implementation Method 1
the optical fiber sensor detects a phase difference between backscattered light generated at two points on the optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
changes in temperature over time are measured based on changes in intensity of Raman scattering light contained in backscattered light
Data Source
AI summary
An evaluation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes at least one memory storing a set of instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the set of instructions and thereby to acquire, from a sensor, time-space data on vibrations that have occurred in an overhead optical fiber strung between poles, and evaluate, for each of predetermined analysis sections, a wind velocity and a propagation speed of wind in the analysis section based on the time-space data, and evaluate a wind direction in the analysis section based on the evaluated wind velocity and the propagation speed of the wind.