Optical monitoring system

摘要

A monitoring system for an electric vehicle that draws current from a conductor is provided. The monitoring system includes a plurality of sensor modules distributed at spaced intervals throughout a conducting block of a current collector. The conducting block contacts the conductor in operation of the vehicle. Each sensor module comprises a strain sensor configured to output a first optical signal that reflects changes in strain and temperature of the conducting block and a strain-isolated temperature sensor that is configured to output a second optical signal that reflects changes in temperature of the conducting block. The monitoring system also includes an optical source for illuminating each sensor module and an optical signal interpretation module configured to receive first and second optical signals from each said sensor module. The optical signal interpretation module is configured to determine, from the optical signals, a temperature-independent strain measurement for each said sensor module.

主权项

1. A monitoring system for an electric vehicle that draws current from a conductor, the system comprising:
a plurality of sensor modules distributed at spaced intervals throughout a conductor block of a current collector, wherein the conductor block contacts the conductor in operation of the vehicle and each said sensor module comprises an FBG (Fibre Bragg Grating) strain sensor configured to output a first optical signal that varies in response to changes in strain and temperature of the conductor block and a strain-isolated FBG temperature sensor that is configured to output a second optical signal that varies in response to changes in the temperature of the conductor block; an optical source for illuminating each said sensor module; coupling apparatus configured to optically couple said optical source to each said sensor module; and an optical signal interpretation module configured to receive first and second optical signals from each said sensor module via said coupling apparatus, said optical signals being generated by said sensor modules in response to illumination of said sensor modules by said optical source, said interpretation module being configured to be capable of determining from said optical signals a temperature-independent strain measurement for each said sensor module.