Methods and apparatus for measuring differential pressure with fiber optic sensor systems
US6304686A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L9/0089
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for measuring differential pressure with fiber optic sensor systems are disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention include both monopolar and bipolar sensors, sensors incorporating side-hole fibers, sensors incorporating fibers without side holes, FBGs subjected to transverse strain, and FBGs subjected to longitudinal strain. All of the embodiments utilize FBGs. Two embodiments utilize a piston having oppositely extending rods, each of which is exposed to a different pressure. Seven embodiments utilize one or more silica diaphragms coupled to a silica body and exposed to two pressures. In each of these embodiments, pressure is converted into movement of the piston or diaphragm which is then used to strain the FBG(s). When each FBG is interrogated, the spectral information is indicative of the strain exerted by the piston or diaphragm on the FBG and thus the difference between the two pressures. Tenth and eleventh embodiments provide apparatus and methods of measuring a differential pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.