Method and apparatus for measuring pressure with fiber optics

Apparatus for measuring pressure in a vessel containing a gas or liquid, comprising:

• a metal part;
• a fiber optic sensor embedded in said metal part wherein one end of said fiber optic sensor terminates in said metal part;
• and
• a diaphragm member penetrating through an aperture in a wall of said vessel and experiencing the pressure within said vessel, said metal part positioned in contact with said diaphragm member and experiencing a compression responsive to said pressure experienced by said diaphragm member, said fiber optic sensor operable to experience a compression responsive to the pressure on said diaphragm member.

A method of measuring pressure in a vessel containing a gas or liquid, comprising the steps of:

• embedding a fiber optic sensor in a metal part;
• inserting a metal housing through an aperture in a wall of said vessel;
• positioning a first end of said metal part in contact with said metal housing;
• sensing a compression in said fiber optic sensor responsive to a pressure in said vessel;
• and
• generating an optical signal responsive to said compression.

A method of measuring pressure in a vessel containing a gas or liquid, comprising the steps of:

• embedding a fiber optic sensor in a metal part;
• inserting a diaphragm member through an aperture in a wall of said vessel;
• positioning a first end of said metal part in contact with said diaphragm member;
• sensing a compression in said fiber optic sensor responsive to a pressure on said diaphragm member;
• and
• generating an optical signal responsive to said compression.

A method of measuring pressure in a combustion, chamber of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:

• embedding a fiber optic sensor in a spark plug of said internal combustion engine;
• sensing a strain in said fiber optic sensor responsive to a pressure in said combustion chamber;
• and
• generating an optical signal responsive to said strain.