Multi-hole Probe Pressure Sensors with Optical Transduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure sensors, particularly multi-hole probes, suffer from pneumatic lag, leading to inaccurate and delayed measurements, especially when detecting high-frequency pressure perturbations, and require larger sizes to operate effectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of multi-hole probe pressure sensors with optical-lever based pressure transducers, where the diaphragm is positioned closer to the probe tip and connected via optic fibers to remote photodiodes, reducing pneumatic lag and enabling smaller form factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional multi-hole probes use long pneumatic tubes to transmit pressure signals from probe tip holes to transducers, then the probe structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but pneumatic lag occurs leading to inaccurate and delayed measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the transducer components from the probe tip location and places them remotely, connected via optical fibers. This removes the pneumatic transmission path (tubes) from the system, eliminating pneumatic lag while keeping the probe structure simple. The optical fiber connection replaces the pneumatic tube connection, achieving accurate high-frequency measurements without complex in-probe transducer integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium to transmit pressure information from the probe tip to the transducers. Instead of using pneumatic tubes that cause lag, optical fibers serve as the transmission medium, enabling accurate signal transmission without the harmful pneumatic lag effects while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Speed
If the diaphragm is positioned closer to the probe tip to reduce pneumatic lag, then measurement speed improves and high-frequency perturbations can be detected, but the probe tip structure becomes more complex and smaller
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex transducer assembly from the probe tip and places it remotely. This allows the diaphragm to be positioned very close to the probe tip (reducing lag) without making the probe tip structure complex, because the transducer components are separated and located elsewhere, connected via optical fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the pressure sensing system into separate functional components: the probe tip with holes and diaphragm, the optical fiber transmission path, and the remote transducer assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the probe tip can be small and simple while the transducers are positioned remotely for accurate high-frequency measurement.
3Volume of moving object
If electronic components are positioned close to the probe tip for compact design, then device size is reduced, but the components cannot operate in harsh measurement environments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensitive electronic components (transducers) from the harsh measurement environment at the probe tip and places them in a protected remote location. Optical fibers serve as the connection medium, allowing the device to maintain a compact form factor while protecting electronics from harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, pressures, or corrosive environments.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers act as an intermediary that allows the probe tip to be small and compact while enabling the electronic components to be positioned remotely in a protected environment. The optical fiber transmission medium is immune to electromagnetic interference and can withstand harsh conditions, allowing reliable signal transmission between the harsh measurement environment and the protected electronics.
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
This design reduces pneumatic lag, enhances measurement speed, and allows for operation in harsh environments, enabling efficient and accurate pressure measurements in applications like wind-tunnel tests, with the ability to detect high-frequency perturbations and operate in extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure transducers can operate using optical-lever based techniques and other optical transduction mechanisms. That is, pressurized fluid from the probe tip channel can apply force to a diaphragm located within the probe (in some embodiments, more than one diaphragm can be used). A light source can be applied to the diaphragm, and the light reflected from the diaphragm changes as the position of the diaphragm changes.
Implementation Method 2
Each die channel can include an optic fiber cable or other connections for transmission of EM waves to the rear-facing part of the diaphragm(s).
Implementation Method 3
The light can then be collected and analyzed using a photodiode to determine the environmental pressure acting on the different holes of the probes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for taking pressure measurements are provided. A multi-hole pressure sensor probe can include a probe tip having a plurality of probe tip holes. The probe tip holes can lead to probe tip channels that convey fluid from the measurement environment to pressure transducers. The pressure transducers can operate using optical transduction techniques. A light source can be applied to the diaphragm, and the light reflected from the diaphragm changes as the position of the diaphragm changes. Further, a reflective material can be applied on the backside of the diaphragm to increase its reflective properties. The light can then be collected and analyzed using a photodiode to determine the environmental pressure acting on the different holes of the probe.