Side-Illuminated Multi-Point Optical Fiber Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectroscopic optical fiber sensors face challenges such as high complexity, cost, and limited spatial resolution, requiring expensive instrumentation and precise alignment, especially in axial probing methods, which are not cost-effective and lack refinement in spatial resolution, making them unsuitable for applications needing high precision and multiple sensing points along a single fiber.
Innovation Solution
A distributed optical fiber sensor with a reversible, rugged design that uses a UV LED or other inexpensive light sources for transverse illumination, providing high spatial resolution without chemical indicators, allowing for multiple sensing points and adaptability across the electromagnetic spectrum, and enabling detection of various parameters like turbidity and chemical species concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If axial probing method is used with evanescent wave interaction, then the sensor can detect parameters along the fiber, but the interaction is very weak requiring expensive instrumentation and high power sources
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using axial probing where light travels through the fiber core and interacts weakly via evanescent waves, the patent inverts the approach by using transverse probing where light is injected directly into the cladding from the side. This creates strong interaction between the probing light and the sensitive cladding regions, eliminating the need for expensive high-power sources and complex instrumentation while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transverse light injection mechanism as an intermediary approach. Rather than relying on weak evanescent field interaction, a separate light source is positioned to illuminate the fiber cladding directly from the side, creating a mediator that enables strong interaction between light and the sensitive regions without requiring complex axial alignment or high power
2Measurement precision
If axial probing with laser alignment is used, then distributed sensing can be achieved, but careful alignment of light source with fiber axis is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the probing geometry from axial to transverse. Instead of aligning the light source with the fiber axis from the end, the light source is positioned laterally to illuminate the cladding directly. This eliminates the need for precise axial alignment while maintaining the ability to perform distributed spatial measurements along the fiber length
3Measurement precision
If conventional axial probing is used, then sensing can be performed, but spatial resolution is not refined and manufacturing complexity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the probing approach to transverse illumination, which naturally provides better spatial resolution because the interaction region is confined to the cladding cross-section rather than extending along the entire fiber length. This simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for complex axial alignment fixtures and precise positioning mechanisms, making the sensor easier to manufacture while achieving refined spatial resolution
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 offers a cost-effective, high-resolution, and flexible optical fiber sensor system capable of detecting multiple parameters with high precision, reducing manufacturing complexity and eliminating the need for expensive instrumentation, while allowing for easy alignment and resistance to external interference.
Implementation Method 1
uses a UV LED or other inexpensive light sources for transverse illumination
Implementation Method 2
spectroscopic based optical fiber sensors can be used in several applications to detect strain, pressure, temperature, chemical species, turbidity, color and other measurands
Implementation Method 3
scattering, absorption, colorimetric, fluorescent and phosphorescent based sensors
Implementation Method 4
spectroscopic based optical fiber sensors can be used in several applications to detect strain, pressure, temperature, chemical species, turbidity, color and other measurands
Implementation Method 5
scattering, absorption, colorimetric, fluorescent and phosphorescent based sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A side illuminated multi point multi parameter optical fiber sensor that requires no sensitive coating is provided. This sensor comprises an optical fiber having at least one removed cladding section as the sensitive region, at least one probing light source that side illuminates the fiber, a power supply, a detector, a signal processor and a display. The sensitive optical fiber is optically affected by the presence of a measurand medium that can fluoresce, phosphoresce, absorb and/or scatter the probing light. This probing light is guided by the fiber core towards a detector which measures the light intensity and this light intensity is correlated with a measurand.