Sensor Cable Helical Winding for Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor cables lack sensitivity and are costly, with a need for improved sensitivity and reduced manufacturing and installation costs, particularly in systems using optical fibre-based detectors that rely on reversible deformation of optical fibres.

Innovation Solution

A sensor cable design featuring a deformable signal line with rigid and resilient portions that reversibly deform under external load, increasing signal strength by varying the core size and winding pitch, allowing for a higher density of rigid portions per unit length and well-separated deformation zones, thereby enhancing sensitivity and robustness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the signal line length is increased to improve sensitivity, then the sensitivity increases, but the cable length also increases which is not desirable

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidcable length

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The signal line is helically wound around the core, creating a curved configuration that packs more length into a compact cable volume. This helical geometry allows the signal line to achieve greater effective length without proportionally increasing the overall cable length, thereby improving sensitivity while controlling cable dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The signal line transitions from a straight linear arrangement to a three-dimensional helical winding around the core. This dimensional transformation allows the signal line to occupy radial and axial space simultaneously, increasing the signal line length per unit cable length and thus improving sensitivity without linearly increasing cable length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If a large number of rigid portions are provided per unit length to increase sensitivity, then sensitivity increases, but the complexity of the cable structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidcable structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The core is divided into multiple discrete rigid portions spaced along its length, with resilient portions between them. This segmentation creates multiple deformation zones along the signal line, where each rigid portion can independently deform adjacent signal line windings. The segmented structure achieves high sensitivity through cumulative deformation effects while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular repetition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the signal line is made more robust to handle larger deformations, then reliability increases, but the sensitivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverobustnessVSAvoidsensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the cable have different mechanical properties: rigid portions provide structural support and deformation capability, while resilient portions provide flexibility and recovery. The signal line itself has varying local qualities with helical windings in deformation zones and straight sections in transition zones, optimizing both sensitivity and robustness in different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design achieves increased sensitivity and robustness by maintaining signal line deformation within the plastic deformation range, enabling the use of delicate materials and reducing costs through efficient material distribution and deformation mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

reversibly deforming the signal line in the cable under the influence of a varying external load on the cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The signal line may be an elongated object and the deformation may comprise a lateral bending of the signal line with respect to the direction of elongation. In an embodiment, the signal line comprises an elongated light guide, in particular an optical fibre

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2997560B1Sensor cable and system

Publication Date: 2019.08.28 PSS CONSULTANCY & EQUIP

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AI summary

A sensor cable is provided comprising a deformable signal line for transmitting a signal, and one or more rigid portions and one or more resilient portions for reversibly deforming the signal line in the cable under the influence of a varying external load on the cable and therewith affecting a signal transmission property of the signal line for transmitting the signal. A portion of the cable comprises an axis and a core extending along the axis, a portion of the signal line being helically wound around the core and the rigid and resilient portions being arranged for, under the influence of the varying external load on the sensor cable, reversibly deforming the signal line with respect to the axis.