Rotatable Capsule for Fiber Optic Rotary Joint Underwater Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic rotary joints face challenges in tough environmental conditions, particularly in underwater applications where high pressure and conductivity pose risks to reliable data transmission and equipment integrity.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable capsule with a housing containing multiple chambers filled with high-viscosity, non-conductive, and non-compressible fluid (such as grease) to equalize pressure and prevent water ingress, providing multiple layers of sealing to protect the fiber optic rotary joint from external pressures and conductive water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fiber optic rotary joint is used in underwater environment, then data transmission capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to high pressure and water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into multiple sealed chambers (first chamber for pressure equalization, second chamber for fiber optic rotary joint, third chamber for additional sealing). This segmentation isolates the sensitive fiber optic components from direct exposure to external water pressure, allowing the device to operate reliably underwater while maintaining internal dry environments.
Solution Approach 2:
A non-conductive, non-compressible fluid (such as grease) is introduced as an intermediary substance in the first chamber. This fluid acts as a pressure transmission medium that equalizes external water pressure with the internal chamber pressure, protecting the shaft seals and preventing water ingress while allowing the fiber optic components to operate in a controlled environment.
2Reliability
If shaft seals are used to prevent water ingress, then sealing is improved, but reliability deteriorates under high pressure loads
Solution Approach 1:
The first chamber is filled with non-compressible fluid that transmits external water pressure uniformly to all surfaces, including the shaft seals. This creates pressure equalization between the external environment and the internal chamber, eliminating pressure differentials that would otherwise cause seals to fail under high pressure loads.
3Reliability
If multiple chambers are added for sealing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into a single integrated capsule structure. The first chamber with pressure-equalizing fluid combines pressure compensation and seal protection functions, while the second and third chambers provide nested sealing layers. This merging approach achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule employs a nested chamber structure where the second chamber (containing the fiber optic rotary joint) is positioned within the first chamber (pressure equalization zone), which itself is within the third chamber (outer sealing layer). This nested arrangement provides multiple sealing barriers while maintaining a compact overall structure.
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 solution effectively prevents water leakage and maintains the integrity of the fiber optic rotary joint by equalizing pressure and using non-conductive fluid to mitigate damage, allowing reliable operation under high pressure and in underwater environments.
Implementation Method 1
The chamber may be configured to be completely filled with a non-conductive and non-compressible fluid to equalize pressure with an ambient environment outside of the capsule
Implementation Method 2
A first chamber may be designed to support one or more shaft seals between a rotatable shaft and the housing of the capsule by equalizing the pressure of the outside environment with the usage of a high-viscosity liquid fluid that is and non-compressible non-conductive
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable capsule for a fiber optic rotary joint and a method of using thereof is disclosed. The rotatable capsule may have a housing with one or more sections, where inside the housing there may exist multiple chambers. The rotatable capsule may be designed to be submerged under water and withstand high pressure loads during operation. A first chamber may be designed to support one or more shaft seals between a rotatable shaft and the housing of the capsule by equalizing the pressure of the outside environment with the usage of a high viscosity liquid fluid that is non-conductive and non-compressible. At least one other chamber may be designed to hold different portions of the fiber optic rotary joint and be sealed from the first chamber to provide a second level of sealing.