Submarine Fault Detection via Optical Parameter Modulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing submarine communication devices face challenges in quickly detecting faults, particularly water penetration and burnout, which disrupt normal communication and are costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using optical couplers and transmissive or reflective optical components to detect changes in optical parameters of an optical detection signal, allowing for the identification of faults such as water penetration by sensing ambient environment changes, thereby facilitating accurate fault location and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional fault detection methods are used for submarine devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the fault detection speed and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical detection signal as an intermediary carrier to transmit fault information from the submarine device. The optical signal interacts with the transmissive optical component to encode environmental state changes, allowing remote detection of faults without adding complex electronic sensing systems directly to the submarine device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in optical parameters (such as transmission intensity, wavelength, or phase) of the optical detection signal to reflect environmental state changes within the submarine device. By monitoring these parameter variations, the system can detect faults like water penetration or burnout conditions without requiring direct physical sensors inside the device.
2Ease of manufacture
If no fault detection system is installed, then the device complexity is low, but the maintenance cost increases when faults occur
Solution Approach 1:
The submarine device uses its own existing optical components (transmissive optical component) to modulate the optical detection signal based on its internal environmental state. This self-service approach allows the device to automatically indicate its health status without requiring external sensing equipment or complex diagnostic systems to be installed on the device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the optical detection signal carries information about the device's environmental state back to the monitoring system. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring of device reliability, allowing operators to detect and respond to faults before they cause communication failures, thereby maintaining high reliability without complex active monitoring systems on the device.
3Measurement precision
If optical parameters are monitored to detect environmental changes, then fault detection accuracy improves, but the detection system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmissive optical component serves multiple functions: it is part of the normal optical signal transmission path and simultaneously acts as a sensor that modulates the optical detection signal based on environmental changes. This multi-functionality allows the system to detect faults without adding dedicated sensing components, thereby improving detection accuracy while minimizing system complexity.
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
Enables efficient detection of faults in submarine communication devices, allowing for timely identification and resolution of issues like water penetration, reducing maintenance costs and communication disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
changing an optical parameter of the optical detection signal transmitted to the input optical detection signal side according to change of an ambient environment state parameter when a fault occurs
Implementation Method 2
a pair of optical couplers that are respectively set on two optical cables for transmitting optical signals in opposite direction
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present invention relate to optical communication technologies, and provide a method, an apparatus, and a unit for detecting a fault of a submarine device. The apparatus includes: a pair of optical couplers that are respectively set on two optical cables for transmitting optical signals in opposite direction and are configured to receive or send optical detection signals through the optical cables, where: the two optical couplers are connected through an optical fiber that transmits an optical detection signal, and a photosensitive component is set on the optical fiber and is configured to adjust an optical parameter of the optical detection signal by perceiving change of an ambient environment state parameter when a fault occurs. The embodiments of the present invention bring benefits of detecting whether a target submarine device is faulty, and locating a cause for the fault of the submarine device accurately.