Apparatus for measuring the temperature of an object with a temperature sensor and method of making the temperature sensor

• US 6,079,875 A
• Filed: 09/03/1998
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nexans Incorporated (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Klass, Joachim, Sturmer, Michael, Madry, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERBITSKY, GAIL KAPLAN
• Application Number:
  US09/146,467
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 374/161, 374/152, 374/147, 385/12
• US Class Current: 374/130
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/32 using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for measuring the temperature of an object (3) has a temperature sensor (5) with at least one optical fiber (7) and a temperature measurement system (10), wherein the optical fiber (7) of the temperature sensor (5) is supported by a support element (15, 17, 18). With this apparatus, the temperature even of smaller object (3) can be measured easily and accurately. A method for producing the sensor includes placing at least one optical fiber on an adhesive side of a first foil and then placing a second foil on the adhesive side of the first foil.

Claims

1. Apparatus for measuring temperature of an electric power cable comprising:

(a) a temperature sensor with at least one optical fiber, the at least one optical fiber of the temperature sensor supported by a support element formed by two foils with the at least one optical fiber arranged between the two foils, the temperature sensor being wound around the electric power cable; and

(b) a temperature measurement system operationally connected to the temperature sensor.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical fiber arranged between the two foils has a spiral shape.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical fiber arranged between the two foils is shaped like a meander.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical fiber arranged between the two foils has a loop shape.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical fiber is embedded between the two foils in a substantially air-tight manner.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the foils is provided with an adhesive side facing the other foil.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the foils has a pressure-sensitive adhesive side facing the other foil.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two foils are made of plastic.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the foils has a good thermal conductivity.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the foils is provided with a metallic layer on an outer side facing away from the other foil.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two foils are formed as a tape.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support element is formed by a support tape.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one optical fiber is secured to the support tape.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one optical fiber is arranged in the support tape.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the support tape is formed by two superimposed foils.

16. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one optical fiber extends along a meandering path.

17. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one optical fiber extends along a looped path.

18. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the support tape has a good thermal conductivity.

19. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an outer side of the support tape adapted to face the object is provided with a metallic layer.

20. Method for producing a temperature sensor used in an apparatus for measuring the temperature of an electric power cable, the apparatus comprising the temperature sensor and a temperature measurement system, wherein the temperature sensor is wound around the electric power cable and connected to the temperature measurement system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first foil which has an adhesive side;

(b) placing an optical fiber on the adhesive side of the first foil; and

(c) applying a second foil on the adhesive side of the first foil which has the optical fiber thereon.

21. Method according to claim 20, wherein the optical fiber is placed on the adhesive side of the first foil so as to form a spiral.

22. Method according to claim 20, wherein the optical fiber is placed on the adhesive side of the first foil so as to form a meander.

23. Method according to claim 20, wherein the optical fiber is placed on the adhesive side of the first foil so as to form a loop.

24. Method according to claim 20, wherein the second foil is applied in a substantially air-tight manner on the adhesive side of the first foil which has the optical fiber.