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Fiber Optic Cable Configurations

By on July 27, 2023 in connectors, Displacement Sensor, Fiber Optic Vacuum Passthru, Fiberoptic Sensors, FO cables

Philtec Fiber Optic sensors can make displacement measurements inside of mechanisms, machinery and vacuum chambers. To gain access to the measurement locations, Fiber Optic cables may be connectorized for the probe tips to be separated from the electronics. In some complex applications, more than one joint may be required for the installation and removal of the sensor systems. An illustration shows sensor configurations with as many as four parts that have been made and are available for some of Philtec’s sensor products. Contact our application engineering team to see if one of these systems can work for you…sales@philtec.com

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Philtec Sensor in a Research Paper

By on July 30, 2020 in Displacement Sensor, Fretting Corrosion, Tribology

Through the years, we always appreciate customers telling us the sensors have been successful in their application. Here is our latest testamonial.

 Dear Philtec workers,

We are pleased to inform you that recently Surface Technologies  Research Group from Mondragon University has published a research article called “On the Role of Contact and System Stiffness in the Measurement of Principal Variables in Fretting Wear Testing” featuring a Philtec model RC90. Your sensor was the cornerstone to develop a state of the art fretting tribometer for thin steel wires.

The research article is available @ https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/15/4152/htm  and is an open access article.

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2 TESLA EXPOSURE

By on April 23, 2020 in 90° Probes, connectors, Displacement Sensor, Fiberoptic Sensors, Magnetic Fields, Non-Contact Sensing, Right Angle Probes

Magnetic Field Exposure requires non-magnetic materials. By jacketing the fiberoptic cable in non-metallic materials, and by constructing the sensor tip from non-metallic or non-magnetic materials, Philtec sensors can be configured to perform measurements in very high magnetic fields. Successful applications to 12 Tesla have been made.

We recently delivered this sensor; a model D20 high-frequency sensor for 2 Tesla exposure.

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Long Length Fiberoptic Cables

By on February 5, 2020 in 90° Probes, Displacement Sensor, Fiber Optic Vacuum Passthru, Fiberoptic Sensors, Magnetic Fields, Non-Contact Sensing, Quartz Fibers

PROBLEM
Quartz fibers have excellent transmission over long lengths, but they are very expensive and usually cost prohibitive. A recent customer asked for a model D171 sensor with 45 meter length for displacement measurements in vacuum and high magnetic field.

SOLUTION
A 3-piece cost saving system was devised where only nineteen 200µm quartz fibers were used to illuminate 10% of the model D171 probe area.
Part A – Two Ø 1000 µm Hard Clad Silica Fibers, 20 m long in air
Part B – Two Ø 1000 µm Bundles of Ø 200µm Silica/Silica (Quartz) Fibers, 24.5m long in vacuum
Part C – Ø 4320 µm D171 Glass Fibers, 0.5 m long in Vacuum

Part A has two Ø1000µm fibers at the connector interface:

1000 µm HCS Fiber

Part B Ø1000 µm fiber bundles each have 19 fibers at the connector interface:

one transmits light and one returns reflected light.

Part B transmit fibers were randomly mixed with Part C glass fibers. Although Part B fibers illuminated just 10% of Part C fibers, this D171 sensor calibrated to an acceptable 70 mm displacement range. And therefore, the system cost was much lower than it would otherwise have been if all of the D171 fibers had been illuminated by quartz fibers.

Model D171 has several thousand 50µm glass fibers in a 4320µm diameter bundle.
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Sensors for Space Telescope Lens Testing

By on May 23, 2019 in Cryogenic environments, Displacement Sensor, Fiber Optic Vacuum Passthru, Fiberoptic Sensors, multiplexing sensors, Non-Contact Sensing, Quality Control, space cryogenics, Space Telescope Lens

The Euclid Satellite project a good example of Philtec’s sensors being used with excellent results in cryogenic conditions. A technical paper published in 2012  shows Philtec’s high precision sensors were successfully used at 150°K to verify the distortion of lens holders to be <1 micron,  well within the project requirements.

This month Philtec has again delivered sensor systems for space telescope lens distortion measurements. These are 2-channel fiber optic displacement sensor systems designed for 3.2 mm operation in vacuum.

2-Channel Displacement Sensor with BvF120 Vacuum Passthru Assembly

Seven 2-channel sensor systems were delivered with the following options:

  • Multi-Channel Vacuum Passthru Assembly in 120 mm Custom Flange
  • SS Interlok Cable Jacket in Vacuum
  • 6m Total Fiberoptic Cable Length (1.5 in air, 4.5 in vacuum)
  • Low CTE Invar Tips

The fiber optic cables are trifurcated for connection to the vacuum passthru (one transmit bundle and two receivers). With 14 sensor channels x 3 legs each, 42 vacuum ports were required. Each BvF120 has 16 ports, and therefore three BvF120 assemblies were used to pass all channels.

Multi-Channel Vacuum Passthru Assembly

REFERENCE

‘Test Results of High-Precision Large Cryogenic Lens Holders’, 2012, Proceedings of the SPIE Publication “Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation II”.

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Measuring Embedded Objects

By on April 4, 2019 in 90° Probes, Displacement Sensor, Fiberoptic Sensors, Miniaturized Sensors, Non-Contact Sensing, Right Angle Probes

Tiny 90° Probes

Philtec specializes in the design of sensor systems for gaining access to hard to reach targets. In March 2019, several dozen model D47 sensors were delivered with long fiber optic cables and very small 90° probes as seen here. The fiber optic cable lengths varied from 21 ft. to 55 Ft. long

D47 2-PART SENSOR SYSTEM

D47 3-PART SENSOR SYSTEM

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Custom Probes

By on March 26, 2019 in 90° Probes, Aerospace, Displacement Sensor, Fiberoptic Sensors, High pressure environments, High Temperature, Magnetic Fields, Measurements in fluids, Miniaturized Sensors, Non-Contact Sensing, Right Angle Probes
Special Probes Made To Customer Requirements

Send us a sketch or drawing of your application requirements. We’ll make a sensor configuration drawing for your review. Email sensors@philtec.com

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SENSORS for 400°C

By on January 3, 2019 in 90° Probes, Displacement Sensor, Fiberoptic Sensors, Helicopter Flight test, High Temperature, Hot Targets, Right Angle Probes

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

“We just got some feedback about the 9 sensors with special configuration and copper sheathing. They are quite satisfied by the sensors, which are well resisting against the 400°C. They have done several tests and measurement campaigns in laboratory and on flight.”

THE APPLICATION

Philtec has delivered 9 sensors to be used during helicopter flights to measurement displacement of engine components. The sensors have 40 mm displacement range and are designed for 400°C continuous tip exposure.

The sensors are equipped with the following options:
Option B – Connectorized Probe
Option C9 – Bendable Copper Cable Jacket, Part B
Option E2 – 3 m total fiber cable length
Option P – Polynomial Curve Fits
Option Q – Connectorized Power Supply and BNC Outputs
Option T6 – Custom 90° Tip with Threaded Probe Extension
Option T9 – 400°C High Temperature Probe Construction

90° Probes for 400°C
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1000°F Application

By on December 6, 2018 in 90° Probes, Displacement Sensor, High Temperature, Hot Targets, Non-Contact Sensing, Right Angle Probes, Uncategorized

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

“I wanted to let you know the sensors worked as designed during our tests.  I may follow up with Chris on a few specific questions as we begin to sift through all of our data.  Thank you again for your professionalism and for all your support.” … Sincerely, VMR, Mechanical Engineer

THE APPLICATION

Five special right angle probes were delivered for a 1000°F tip exposure test.

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