Sensor Fiber Electrical Signal Transmission for Remote Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote optical fiber sensing technologies face limitations in detection range and sensitivity due to numerical aperture, transmission losses, and coupling efficiency, making it challenging for distributed sensing over large areas.
Innovation Solution
A sensor fiber is developed with an electrically insulating material and integrated transduction and photodetection elements that convert signals into electrical form for transmission, eliminating the need for optical signal transmission and enhancing sensing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If optical fiber is used for remote chemical sensing, then remote detection capability is achieved, but detection sensitivity and range are limited by numerical aperture, transmission losses, and coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical signal transmission system with an electrical signal transmission system. Instead of transmitting optical signals through fiber optics which suffer from numerical aperture limitations and transmission losses, the invention uses electrical wires to transmit signals from the sensing element to the detector, eliminating the fundamental limitations of optical fiber transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the signal transmission parameter from optical to electrical domain. By converting the transduction signal to an electrical signal that can be transmitted along the fiber length via electrical connection, the system overcomes the parameter limitations of optical transmission (numerical aperture, coupling efficiency) and achieves both long range and high sensitivity
2Ease of operation
If optical fiber transmission is used, then remote sensing is enabled, but signal transmission efficiency deteriorates due to bending losses and transmission losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical signal transmission for optical signal transmission. Electrical signals transmitted through conductive elements along the fiber experience minimal energy loss compared to optical signals in fiber optics, which suffer from absorption, scattering, and bending losses. This substitution maintains remote sensing capability while dramatically reducing signal transmission loss
3Measurement precision
If hollow core photonic bandgap fiber configuration is used to increase numerical aperture, then coupling efficiency improves, but propagation losses and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for complex photonic bandgap fiber configurations by replacing optical transmission with electrical transmission. The electrical conductive elements can be简单地 integrated along the fiber without requiring specialized fiber structures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving coupling efficiency between the transduction element and the transmission medium
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 fiber enables remote and distributed sensing with improved signal collection efficiency, allowing for detection of various species across large areas without the performance disadvantages of optical signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
A photoconducting element is in optical communication with the transduction element. At least one pair of electrically conducting electrodes are in electrical connection with the photoconducting element.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a sensor fiber including an electrically insulating material having a fiber length. At least one transduction element is disposed along at least a portion of the fiber length and is arranged for exposure to an intake species. A photoconducting element is in optical communication with the transduction element. At least one pair of electrically conducting electrodes are in electrical connection with the photoconducting element. The pair of electrodes extend the fiber length.