Pockels Crystal Optical Voltage Sensor for Harsh Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical voltage sensors face challenges in maintaining accurate readings over a wide temperature range (-40° C. to +80° C.) and are susceptible to environmental factors like humidity and moisture, leading to instability and corrosion, especially in high-voltage transmission line applications.

Innovation Solution

An all-optical voltage sensor system utilizing the Pockels effect with a robust design that integrates a Pockels crystal material and fiber-optic collimators, featuring a polarizer and analyzer configuration without airspaces, and using non-corrosive materials for components exposed to moisture, ensuring stability and reliability across varying environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional electromagnetic voltage sensors are used, then voltage measurement is achieved, but electromagnetic interference and measurement accuracy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage measurement accuracyVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electromagnetic sensing mechanisms with optical sensing mechanisms. Specifically, it uses optical voltage sensors that employ the Pockels effect in crystal materials (such as lithium niobate) to convert voltage measurements into optical signal modulations, thereby eliminating electromagnetic interference while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium to transmit voltage measurement data from high-voltage environments to remote locations. The optical fibers carry modulated light signals that encode voltage information, providing galvanic isolation and immune transmission against electromagnetic interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If optical voltage sensors are used, then electromagnetic immunity is achieved, but temperature stability and environmental reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic immunityVSAvoidtemperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs temperature compensation techniques that involve changing operational parameters to maintain stability. Specifically, it uses dual-wavelength optical sensing where measurements at two different wavelengths are combined to compensate for temperature-induced refractive index changes in the crystal material and optical fiber, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy across varying temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structures, particularly lithium niobate crystals with specific doping and orientation, combined with temperature-compensating optical components. This composite approach creates a sensor system where the crystal provides high electro-optic sensitivity while the overall structure compensates for thermal effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If metallic components are used in optical sensors, then structural strength is achieved, but corrosion and durability in harsh environments worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces metallic structural components with non-metallic alternatives such as ceramic housings, polymer coatings, and composite materials. These materials provide adequate mechanical strength while offering superior corrosion resistance in harsh environments including moisture, chemical exposure, and temperature extremes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs protective thin-film coatings and encapsulation layers on optical components to prevent corrosion. These flexible protective layers seal optical fibers and crystal surfaces from environmental moisture and chemicals while maintaining the structural integrity of the sensor assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 system provides reliable and accurate voltage measurements with minimal metallic parts, immune to electromagnetic interference, and capable of long-distance signal transmission, with enhanced durability and longevity in harsh environments.

Implementation Method 1

A crystal material is positioned to receive the input light beam from the light source and configured to exhibit the Pockels effect when an electric field is applied through the crystal material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPockels effect: Pockels Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11402410B2Optical Pockels voltage sensor assembly device and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 MICATU

AI summary

An optical voltage sensor assembly includes an input fiber-optic collimator positioned and configured to collimate input light beam from a light source. A crystal material is positioned to receive the input light beam from the light source and configured to exhibit the Pockels effect when an electric field is applied through the crystal material. An output fiber-optic collimator is positioned to receive an output light beam from the crystal material and configured to focus the output light beam from the crystal onto a detector. Methods of using the optical voltage sensor assembly are also disclosed.