Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5452087?dq=U.S.+Patent+No.+4,528,643)
Timestamp: 2016-05-01 14:56:47
Document Index: 296641135

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 120', 'art 120', 'art 120', 'art 120', 'art 120', 'art 120', 'art 120']

Patent US5452087 - Method and apparatus for measuring pressure with embedded non-intrusive ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA method and apparatus is provided for measuring pressure in a pressure containing vessel with a non-intrusive, metal-embedded fiber optic pressure sensor. The pressure containing vessel may, for example, be the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A Fabry-Perot Interferometer is arranged...http://www.google.com/patents/US5452087?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5452087 - Method and apparatus for measuring pressure with embedded non-intrusive fiber opticsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5452087 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 08/147,830Publication dateSep 19, 1995Filing dateNov 4, 1993Priority dateNov 4, 1993Fee statusLapsedPublication number08147830, 147830, US 5452087 A, US 5452087A, US-A-5452087, US5452087 A, US5452087AInventorsHenry F. Taylor, Robert A. Atkins, William N. Gibler, CHung-Eun Lee, James J. McCoy, Matthew O. Spears, Mark D. Oakland, Victor P. Swenson, Gregory M. BeshouriOriginal AssigneeThe Texas A & M University System, American Gas AssociationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (13), Non-Patent Citations (10), Referenced by (72), Classifications (10), Legal Events (10) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod and apparatus for measuring pressure with embedded non-intrusive fiber optics
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a non-intrusive, embedded fiber optic pressure sensor constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Using a form of the embedding technique described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/926,756 (Attorney Docket No. 17575-0135), which is incorporated herein by reference, FFPI 108 is embedded along the axis of metal part 120. Metal part 120 may be, for example, a bolt, metal rod, or other appropriate part that has been machined and threaded so that it can be screwed or fastened into a larger structure, such as a wall of a pressurized vessel. Fiber f1 including FFPI 108 is passed through stress-relieving tube 118, which is positioned at the top opening in metal part 120. Tube 118 may be constructed of metals, such as stainless steel, or ceramic or other suitable materials, and functions to prevent breakage of the fiber during the embedding process and also provide strain relief in the finished part. The size of the opening in metal part 120 is such that it permits stress-relieving tube 118 to be inserted therethrough, but to leave a minimal gap between the top opening and the outer surface of tube 118 so that molten metal cannot escape therethrough. In addition, the inside diameter of tube 118 is such that it accommodates optical fiber f1 and FFPI 108 and yet minimizes the entry of molten metal. In a preferred embodiment, the metal part containing the embedded FFPI may be produced by a casting process in which molten aluminum alloy 356 (92.7% Al, 7.0% Si, 0.3% Mg) is poured into a mold into which the FFPI extends. Aluminum, other aluminum alloys, alloys of brass or other metals, or other suitable materials such as, for example, ceramics, may be substituted for aluminum alloy 356. The only constraint for the purpose of embedding optical fibers is the melting temperature of the metal or other material used. The melting point of the molten material to be poured should be less than that of fiber f1, which is approximately 1600� C. for glass fibers and over 2000� C. for sapphire fibers. The molten material is allowed to cool to or near room temperature before moving the resultant embedded sensor. If necessary, the metal part containing the FFPI may be machined to desired specifications. An end of metal part 120 is directly exposed to the pressurized environment inside the vessel. The vessel may contain a gas or liquid. Importantly, neither metal part 120 nor the embedded fiber sensor intrude into the vessel. Pressure in the vessel produces an axial strain in metal part 120, which is also experienced by the embedded fiber sensor. The resulting change in the length L produces a proportional change in the reflected energy from FFPI 108. The pressurized vessel may contain a positive pressure such as, for example, the pressure produced by combustion, or a negative pressure such as a vacuum. Constructed in this manner, optical signals from laser source 102 may be coupled via fiber f1 to FFPI 108, and the signals reflected by FFPI 108 may be received and analyzed at display 112. Signals passing through FFPI 108 may be terminated by termination n2. Although the fiber sensor shown in FIG. 3 is embedded in a metal part, which may be affixed in a wall of a pressure containment vessel, it would be within the scope of the invention to embed the fiber sensor directly in the wall of the vessel, assuming that the wall is constructed of a suitable material.
FIG. 5 is a graphical depiction comparing exemplary output signals from a conventional piezoelectric pressure sensor monitoring combustion chamber pressure in a diesel engine, and the fiber optic pressure sensor of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 4. The top trace in FIG. 5 is the response of the conventional sensor, and the bottom trace is the response of the FFPI, non-intrusively embedded in a bolt used to hold down the fuel injector valve. The signal responses to pressure are close. However, the conventional sensor must be water-cooled or air-cooled to obtain such a response at high temperatures, thus increasing the complexity and cost of the conventional sensors compared with sensors constructed in accordance with the invention. In fact, fiber optic sensors constructed in accordance with the invention may operate continuously at temperatures above 1000� C. while the maximum allowable temperature for operating uncooled, piezoelectric pressure sensors is 250� C.
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TEXAS NON-PROFFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TAYLOR, HENRY F.;ATKINS, ROBERT A.;GIBLER, WILLIAM N.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:006924/0902;SIGNING DATES FROM 19940118 TO 19940131May 15, 1995ASAssignmentOwner name: AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION, A CORP. OF DE., VIRGINIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, THE;REEL/FRAME:007534/0958Effective date: 19950425Apr 13, 1999REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedJul 19, 1999FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jul 19, 1999SULPSurcharge for late paymentMar 21, 2003SULPSurcharge for late paymentYear of fee payment: 7Mar 21, 2003FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Apr 4, 2007REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedSep 19, 2007LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesNov 6, 2007FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20070919RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services