Optical sensor, optical temperature-measuring device and measuring method using the optical sensor

Abstract

An optical sensor has: a sensing portion having an optical fiber to be disposed at a measurement point of temperature, distortion, pressure etc.; a light source to output a light to the sensing portion; and a photodetector to detect a backscattered light from the sensing portion. The sensing portion has a tape sheet and the optical fiber shaped into a corrugated form with a predetermined curvature. Alternatively, the sensing portion has a polymer optical waveguide with a core shaped into a corrugated form with a predetermined curvature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments according to the invention will be explained below referring to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the optical sensor in a preferred embodiment according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a sensing portion in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a manufacturing system of the sensing portion in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing the manufacturing system of the sensing portion in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing that the sensing portion in FIG. 2 is rolled around the temperature measurement object;

FIG. 6 is a plan showing a modification of the optical temperature sensor of the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an optical temperature detecting device;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a wavelength characteristic of Raman scattering light.

Claims

1. An optical sensor, comprising: a sensing portion comprising an optical fiber to be disposed at a measurement point of temperature, distortion, pressure etc.;a light source to output a light to the sensing portion; anda photodetector to detect a backscattered light from the sensing portion,wherein the sensing portion comprises a tape sheet and the optical fiber shaped into a corrugated form with a predetermined curvature.

2. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein: the optical fiber comprises a holey fiber.

3. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein: the tape sheet comprises flexibility.

4. An optical sensor, comprising: a sensing portion comprising an optical waveguide to be disposed at a measurement point of temperature, distortion, pressure etc.;a light source to output a light to the sensing portion; anda photodetector to detect a backscattered light from the sensing portion,wherein the sensing portion comprises a polymer optical waveguide, andthe polymer optical waveguide comprises a core shaped into a corrugated form with a predetermined curvature.

5. The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein: a plurality of the sensing portions are connected through a connection optical fiber.

6. The optical sensor according to claim 4, wherein: a plurality of the sensing portions are connected through a connection optical fiber.

7. An optical temperature-measuring device, comprising: a sensing portion comprising an optical fiber to be disposed at a measurement points of temperature;a light source to output a light to that sensing portion;a photodetector to detect a Raman scattering light from the sensing portion; andan electric circuit that is connected to the light source and the detector to process electrically the Raman scattering light and to display a temperature signal,wherein the sensing portion comprises a tape sheet and the optical fiber shaped in a corrugated form with a predetermined curvature.

8. An optical temperature-measuring device, comprising: a sensing portion comprising an optical fiber to be disposed at a measurement points of temperature;a light source to output a light to that sensing portion;a photodetector to detect a Raman scattering light from the sensing portion; andan electric circuit that is connected to the light source and the detector to process electrically the Raman scattering light and to display a temperature signal,wherein the sensing portion comprises a polymer optical waveguide, andthe polymer optical waveguide comprises a core shaped into a corrugated form with a predetermined curvature.

9. A method of measuring a physical quantity change of a measured object, comprising the steps of: disposing a sensing portion comprising a long optical fiber near the measured object;sending a light into the sensing portion; anddetecting a backscattered light generated from the sensing portion;wherein the physical quantity change of the measured object is measured by using an optical sensor comprising the sensing portion that comprises a tape sheet and the optical fiber shaped in a corrugated form with a predetermined curvature, andthe sensing portion is wound in a spiral form around the measured object.

10. A method of measuring a physical quantity change of a measured object, comprising the steps of: disposing a sensing portion comprising a long optical fiber near the measured object;sending a light into the sensing portion; anddetecting a backscattered light generated from the sensing portion;wherein the physical quantity change of the measured object is measured by using an optical sensor comprising the sensing portion that comprises a polymer optical waveguide comprising a core shaped into a corrugated form with a predetermined curvature, andthe sensing portion is wound in a spiral form around the measured object.