Displacement Sensor Device

Abstract

A displacement sensor device (1) comprising a fibre bragg grating sensor (2) and a downshift unit (3). The downshift unit (3) is connected to the fibre bragg grating sensor (2), a first (4) and a second fastening device (5). The first fastening device (4) is connected to the downshift unit (3), and the second fastening device (5) is connected to the fibre bragg grating sensor (2), a container (6) enclosing the fibre bragg grating sensor (2), the downshift unit (3), at least partially the first (4) and the second fastening device (5), and at least partially an optical fibre (7). Furthermore the sensor device (1) comprises at least one fixing component (8). The at least one fixing component (8) is arranged between one of the fastening devices (4, 5) and the container (6).

Claims

1. A displacement sensor device (1) comprising a fibre bragg grating sensor (2) for sensing displacements in the surrounding environment where the displacement sensor device (1) is fastened, a downshift unit (3) for downshifting the displacements towards the fibre bragg grating sensor (2) which the displacement sensor device (1) is affected by when installed, wherein the downshift unit (3) is connected to the fibre bragg grating sensor (2), a first (4) and a second fastening device (5) for fastening of the displacement sensor device (1) in the surrounding environment, wherein the first fastening device (4) is connected to the downshift unit (3), and the second fastening device (5) is connected to the fibre bragg grating sensor (2), a container (6) enclosing the fibre bragg grating sensor (2), the downshift unit (3), at least partially the first (4) and the second fastening device (5), and at least partially an optical fibre (7), characterised in that the sensor device (1) comprises at least one fixing component (8), for holding the fastening devices (4, 5) in position so that a predefined distance between the fastening devices (4, 5) is fixed, wherein the at least one fixing component (8) is arranged between one of the fastening devices (4, 5) and the container (6), further wherein the at least one fixing component (8) is arranged to break or deform when a force applied to the displacement sensor device (1) is greater than a predefined value.

2. A displacement sensor device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fixing component (8) is fabricated out of a brittle material, for instance a polymer.

3. A displacement sensor device (1) according to claim 1-2, wherein the container (6) or the first (4) and/or the second fastening device (5) comprises at least one fixing component (8).

4. A displacement sensor device (1) according to claim 1-3, wherein the downshift unit (3) comprises a draw spring (9) and a drag link (10), wherein a longitudinal end portion of the draw spring (9) is connected to a longitudinal end portion of the drag link (10).

5. A displacement sensor device (1) according to claim 1-4, comprising a draw spring (9) matching a predefined measurement interval of the displacement sensor device (1), the draw spring (9) belonging to a plurality of draw springs (9) with different spring rates.

6. A displacement sensor device (1) according to claim 1-5, wherein the container (6) is made out of a solid material, for instance a metal, a polymer or a carbon fibre, withstanding a predefined force.

7. A displacement sensor device (1) according to claim 1-6, comprising at least one communication channel (11) connected to the fibre bragg grating sensor (2), wherein the communication channel (11) provides communication to/from the displacement sensor device (1).

8. A displacement sensor device (1) according to claim 1-7, comprising at least one protection component (12) arranged in between the container (6) and the first fastening device (4) and/or in between the container (6) and the second fastening device (5) for protecting the internal components of the downshift unit (3) from the external environment.

9. A displacement sensor device (1) according to claim 1-8, comprising at least one fastening device (4, 5) connected to an extension unit (13) or to a plurality of extension units (13) connected in series, for extension to another displacement sensor device (1) or to an extension fastening device (14) or to a plurality of extension fastening devices (14) connected in series.

10. A displacement sensor system (15) according to any of the claims 1-9, comprising a plurality of displacement sensor devices (1) connected in series.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0068] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0069] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating, according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0070] FIG. 2 shows a displacement sensor device in a cutaway front view, according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0071] FIG. 3 shows two displacement sensor devices in a front view, according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a displacement sensor device in a front view, according to an embodiment of the invention, and

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0073] In the following, a detailed description of a displacement sensor device is provided.

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a light source 16, an optical circulator 20, an optical switch 21, an optical sensor interrogator 22, a client equipment 17, a Man Machine Interface 18, a user 19, a plurality of displacement sensor devices 1, and a displacement sensor system 15. FIG. 1. Illustrates how at least one displacement sensor device 1 may be connected to additional equipment.

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a displacement sensor device 1 in a cutaway front view, according to an embodiment of the invention. The displacement sensor device 1 comprising a fibre bragg grating sensor 2, a downshift unit 3 comprising a draw spring 9 and a drag link 10, a first 4 and a second fastening device 5, a container 6, an optical fibre 7, at least one fixing component 8, at least one communication channel 11, and at least one protection component 12.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows two displacement sensor devices 1 in a front view, according to an embodiment of the invention. One of the displacement sensor devices 1 comprises a first 4 and a second fastening device 5, and the other displacement sensor device 1 comprises another first 4 and another second fastening device 5. An extension unit 13 is connecting one of the first fastening devices 4 to one of the second fastening devices 5, resulting in the two displacement sensor devices 1 being connected in series.

[0077] FIG. 4. Shows a displacement sensor device 1 in a front view, according to an embodiment of the invention. The displacement sensor device 1 comprises a first 4 and a second fastening device 5. The second fastening device 5 is connected to an extension unit 13. The extension unit 13 is connected to an extension fastening device 14.