Bourdon tube pressure gauge with integral optical strain sensors for measuring tension or compressive strain

Abstract

A Bourdon tube pressure gauge is mounted for sensing the pressure of a system. The Bourdon tube is connected to at least one optical strain sensor mounted to be strained by movement of the Bourdon tube such that when the Bourdon tube is exposed to the pressure of the system, movement of the tube in response to system pressure causes a strain in the optical sensor. The optical sensor is responsive to the strain and to an input optical signal for providing a strain optical signal which is directly proportional to the pressure. A reference or temperature compensation optical sensor is isolated from the strain associated with the pressure of the system and is responsive to temperature of the system for causing a temperature-induced strain. The reference optical sensor is responsive to the temperature induced strain and the input optical signal for providing a temperature optical signal which is directly proportional to the temperature of the system. The temperature optical signal is provided for temperature compensation of the strain optical signal. The optical sensors include an optical fiber having intrinsic Bragg grating sensors formed in the optical fiber. The optical fiber is attached to a reference point and to the Bourdon tube such that changes in the position of the tube changes the strain on the optical fiber resulting in a wavelength shift of light reflected by the Bragg grating. The magnitude of the wavelength shift is directly proportional to a change in pressure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.