Fiber Optic Pressure Sensor Vibration Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intrinsic fiber optic pressure sensors are prone to inaccuracies due to external vibrations and degradation over time, particularly in environments like oil tankers where vibrations from engines and temperature changes can affect readings.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensor design featuring a structural element with a fixed distance between two parts, using transfer and counter elements to balance vibrations and maintain fiber tension equally in both intrinsic fiber optic sensors, reducing the impact of external disturbances and ensuring accurate pressure readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a deformable element is used to transfer force to the fiber optic sensor, then the sensor can detect pressure changes, but the sensor becomes sensitive to external vibrations causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The single deformable element is divided into two separate deformable elements (first and second deformable elements). Each element connects one structural part to the interposed section. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between pressure-induced deformations (affecting both elements symmetrically) and vibration-induced deformations (affecting elements differently), enabling vibration compensation through differential measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
An interposed section is introduced as an intermediary element between the two deformable elements. This interposed section serves as a common reference point that both deformable elements connect to. By fixing the fiber optic sensor to this interposed section and using it as a mediator in the force transfer path, the system can measure differential changes in the two deformable elements to compensate for vibration effects while maintaining accurate pressure measurement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the fiber is fixed to structural parts and deformable elements, then the sensor structure is stable, but the fixing degrades over time causing accuracy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The dual deformable element configuration with the interposed section creates a differential measurement system that provides feedback compensation. When fixing degradation occurs in one element, the differential measurement between the two elements allows the system to detect and compensate for the asymmetry, maintaining measurement accuracy over time despite gradual degradation of individual fixation points.
3Measurement precision
If filtering is applied to remove vibrations from the signal, then vibration noise is reduced, but fast measurements cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of vibrations into a beneficial differential signal. By using two deformable elements that respond differently to vibrations but equally to pressure changes, the system transforms vibration noise into a distinguishable differential pattern that can be identified and compensated for in real-time, enabling both high-speed measurement and vibration rejection without requiring post-processing filtering.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The balanced design minimizes the influence of external vibrations and degradation, providing stable and accurate pressure measurements over time, even in challenging environments like oil tankers.
Implementation Method 1
Any changes to the fiber caused by external factors, such as mechanically induced forces on the fiber, can be accurately sensed by monitoring the characteristics of the optical signal using an interrogator
Implementation Method 2
a deformable structure or element in between the two parts that deforms dependent on the physical parameter to be measured in the monitored environment of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present document relates to a pressure sensor comprising a structural element, the structural element comprising a first and second structural part. The sensor further comprises a first cavity being in fluid connection with an exterior of the sensor for establishing a first pressure which is dependent on an external pressure in the first cavity and a second cavity configured to be at a second pressure in use. A deformable structure is deformable dependent on a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure. The sensor comprises a fiber including an intrinsic fiber optic sensor fixed to the structural element and to the deformable structure for providing an optical sensor signal dependent on said pressure difference.