Suspended Optical Fiber Sensor for High-Temperature Vernier Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-temperature sensors, particularly optical fiber grating and microcavity sensors, face performance degradation above 300°C and low temperature sensitivity due to material limitations and short fiber lengths, making them unsuitable for measuring high temperatures with accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A high-sensitivity high-temperature sensor is developed using dislocation welding of suspended optical fibers, incorporating a broadband light source, optical fiber circulator, and spectrometer, with a sensing head comprising sequentially connected single-mode, multi-mode, and suspended core optical fibers, achieving a vernier effect that enhances temperature sensitivity by one order of magnitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optical fiber grating is used for temperature sensing, then the sensor can be manufactured with simple structure, but the grating decays or disappears above 300°C, seriously affecting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the optical fiber from solid to suspended liquid state, allowing the fiber to be in a molten state during welding and then solidify to form a stable high-temperature sensing structure. This parameter change enables the sensor to withstand temperatures above 300°C while maintaining performance stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by welding multiple optical fibers together in a suspended configuration, forming a multi-fiber composite sensing element. This composite structure provides both the manufacturing simplicity of fiber-based sensors and the high-temperature reliability needed for industrial applications.
2Reliability
If optical fiber microcavity is used for temperature sensing, then the sensor can withstand high temperatures up to 1100°C, but the temperature sensitivity is low, usually lower than 10 pm/° C. due to short length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple segments by using multiple optical fibers arranged in a suspended configuration. Each fiber contributes to the overall sensing capability, and the combined effect provides enhanced temperature sensitivity while maintaining high-temperature resistance. The segmentation allows the system to achieve both high temperature operation and high sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional short microcavity structure to a multi-dimensional suspended fiber arrangement. By organizing fibers in three-dimensional space with varying lengths and positions, the system achieves enhanced path length for improved sensitivity while maintaining compact size and high-temperature stability.
3Device complexity
If single optical fiber microcavity is used, then the sensor structure is simple, but the temperature sensitivity is insufficient compared to the desired performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical fibers into a single suspended sensing unit, combining their sensing capabilities to achieve high temperature sensitivity while maintaining relatively simple overall structure. The merged multi-fiber configuration provides enhanced sensitivity compared to a single fiber, yet remains structurally simple and easy to manufacture.
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 can measure temperatures up to 1100°C with significantly improved sensitivity, maintaining stability and accuracy without the need for adhesives, and features a compact, easy-to-manufacture design.
Implementation Method 1
the suspended core optical fiber includes a third fiber core and a first air hole
Implementation Method 2
the first single-mode optical fiber and the multi-mode optical fiber are welded core-to-core
Implementation Method 3
the sum of the transmission optical paths of incident light in the third fiber core and the fourth fiber core is 1.90-1.99 times or 2.01-2.10 times of an transmission optical path of the incident light in the first air hole
Data Source
AI summary
A high-sensitivity high-temperature sensor based on dislocation welding of suspended optical fiber is provided and includes a broadband light source, an optical fiber circulator, a sensing head and a spectrometer. The optical fiber circulator is connected to the broadband light source, the sensing head and the spectrometer individually, the sensing head includes a first single-mode optical fiber, a multi-mode optical fiber, a suspended core optical fiber and a second single-mode optical fiber which are connected in sequence. The high-sensitivity high-temperature sensor has the following advantages: simple to manufacture, no need for expensive special equipment; small sizes, compact structure, easy to use; full optical fiber structure, which can measure high temperatures up to 1000 degrees; no need for adhesive, good sensor stability; double cavities in parallel can generate vernier effects with high sensitivity.