Optical temperature probe, monitoring system, and related methods

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring temperature of one or more components of a multi-component system, such as a power generator system, using at least one temperature probe ( ) are provided. Each temperature probe includes a temperature probe container ( ) enclosing at least one light window ( ) responsive to temperature variation and a light-guide pair ( ) corresponding to each such light window ( ). Each light guide pair ( ) preferably has first ( ) and second ( ) strands for conveying light to the corresponding light window ( ) and receiving light passing through a light window ( ), respectively. Light can be provided from an external light source ( ), and light passing through a light window ( ) can be detected by an external light sensor ( ). A temperature probe light window ( ) passes light if its temperature is within a predetermined range or otherwise blocks light. The temperature probe container ( ) is preferably constructed from a heat conducting material having a sufficiently high thermal conductivity coefficient to ensure rapid efficient transmission of temperature information to a temperature responsive light window ( ).