Low-cost fiber optic sensor array for simultaneous detection of multiple parameters
Inventors
Sun, Chenhu • Lu, Ping • Wright, Ruishu • Ohodnicki, Paul R
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11268984-B2
Publication Date
2022-03-08
Expiration Date
2039-04-17
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Abstract
A system and method for forming a low cost optical sensor array. The sensor includes an optical fiber; a first nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a first parameter through a correlated signal having a first wavelength; and a second nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a second parameter through a correlated signal having a second wavelength different from the wavelength of the first parameter.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system and method for sensing multiple parameters using a low cost optical fiber sensor array that monitors multiple parameters through multi-wavelength interrogation combined with multiple sensor elements along a single optical fiber. An exemplary embodiment focuses on low cost temperature and dissolved gas analysis applications for electrical asset monitoring, such as monitoring transformers. The sensor array includes an optical fiber with a first nanocomposite thin film for interrogating a first parameter at a first wavelength and a second nanocomposite thin film for interrogating a second parameter at a second wavelength different from the first.
The problem addressed arises from the need to avoid catastrophic failures of power transformers by developing low-cost and real-time analytical techniques to detect fundamental changes in operating characteristics. Monitoring dissolved gases and oil temperature is critical as these parameters provide early indication of transformer health. Existing advanced optical components are costly, limiting widespread deployment of fiber optic sensor platforms. There is an urgent need for economically viable sensors capable of monitoring temperature, hydrogen, other reducing gases, and hydrocarbons simultaneously, particularly for electrical transmission and distribution networks.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims presenting inventive features related to an optical sensor array, an optical system for monitoring multiple parameters of an electrical asset, and a method of monitoring such parameters. Below are the main inventive features extracted from each independent claim.
Optical sensor array with nanocomposite thin films for multi-parameter sensing
An optical sensor array comprising: an optical fiber; one or more multimode fibers in optical communication with the optical fiber; a first nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a first parameter at a first wavelength; and a second nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a second parameter at a second wavelength different from the first, wherein at least one parameter is temperature.
Optical system including LED-based optics and sensor array for electrical asset monitoring
An optical system comprising one or more light emitting diodes and a sensor array in optical communication with the optics, the sensor array including an optical fiber with first and second nanocomposite thin films interrogating different parameters at different wavelengths. The system further comprises an analysis portion in optical communication with the sensor array, including photodiodes, a multimeter, and a computer performing multivariate data analytics to extract independent information for optimized wavelength selection.
Method of monitoring multiple parameters using wavelength-correlated signals and nanocomposite films
A method comprising determining first and second wavelengths with signals correlated to first and second parameters of an electrical asset to be monitored; sensing these parameters using an optical fiber and one or more multimode fibers, where the optical fiber has first and second nanocomposite thin films interrogating the parameters through correlated signals at the respective wavelengths, with at least one parameter being temperature.
The claims cover an integrated approach to multi-parameter sensing using optical fibers coated with distinct nanocomposite thin films that respond at different wavelengths. They also cover an optical system employing LEDs and photodiode-based analysis with multivariate data processing, and a method of sensing parameters through wavelength-correlated signals, enabling simultaneous detection of temperature and chemical indicators.
Stated Advantages
Low cost deployment for on-site electrical asset monitoring.
Multiplexing capability allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple parameters such as temperature and chemical composition.
Compact, field deployable sensor design facilitating broad use in power and distribution transformers.
Use of low-cost LEDs and photodiodes reduces overall system cost compared to conventional setups.
Capability to discriminate between temperature and gas concentrations via multi-wavelength interrogation and principal component analysis.
Documented Applications
Low cost temperature and dissolved gas analysis for monitoring the local temperature of oil and chemical composition in electrical assets such as power and distribution transformers.
On-site deployment for health monitoring of electrical grid assets, including transformer condition assessment through dissolved gas and temperature sensing.
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