Tag Archives | fiber optic sensor

Long Length Fiberoptic Cables

By Jerry Philips 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:

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 400°C

By Jerry Philips 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

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Probes for Cryogenic Turbo Pumps

By Jerry Philips on December 11, 2018 in Aerospace, Cryogenic environments, cryogenic turbopumps, Fiberoptic Sensors, High pressure environments, Liquid Oxygen, Non-Contact Sensing, space cryogenics, Space Launch Vehicles, Uncategorized

Philtec builds custom displacement sensor systems to meet application requirements, which often include extreme environments. This month we delivered 8 sensors having 200 KHz bandwidth (sensor speed). The probe tips are threaded and connectorized so they may be separated from the sensor electronics.

**Probes are Connectorized to the Electronic Modules**

**Probe Tips are Immersed in LOX at -300°F and 1,000 psi**

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1000°F Application

By Jerry Philips 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.