초록 ▼

A pressure sensor capable of measuring pressure in a harsh environment includes at least one intrinsic fiber optic sensor element formed within a core of an optical fiber. A length of the optical fiber containing the sensor element is attached to a pressure sensitive structure. A dimension of the pr

A pressure sensor capable of measuring pressure in a harsh environment includes at least one intrinsic fiber optic sensor element formed within a core of an optical fiber. A length of the optical fiber containing the sensor element is attached to a pressure sensitive structure. A dimension of the pressure sensitive structure changes in response to changes in the pressure of a pressure field of the environment. The sensor element is responsive to all input signal and to a strain caused by changes in the dimension of the pressure sensitive structure for providing a pressure signal indicative of the pressure. A temperature compensation sensor is also formed in the fiber near the location of the pressure sensor. The temperature sensor is isolated from strain associated with the pressure for providing temperature compensation of the pressure sensor. Alternatively, temperature compensation is provided by an intrinsic fiber optic sensor element mounted to experience an equal but opposite strain associated with changes in the dimension of the pressure sensitive structure.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A pressure sensor for sensing pressure in an environment, comprising:a pressure sensitive structure having at least one dimension that changes in response to changes in the pressure of the environment;an optical fiber mounted to said pressure sensor at a first mounting location hav

[ We claim:] [1.] A pressure sensor for sensing pressure in an environment, comprising:a pressure sensitive structure having at least one dimension that changes in response to changes in the pressure of the environment;an optical fiber mounted to said pressure sensor at a first mounting location having a position that does not change with changes in the pressure of the environment and mounted to said pressure sensitive structure at a second mounting location spaced from said first mounting location, said second mounting location having a position that changes with changes in said at least one dimension; andBragg grating sensing means, positioned within said optical fiber between said first and second mounting locations, responsive to an optical signal and to a strain associated with changes in said second mounting location position for providing an optical sensing signal containing information about and used to determine the pressure of the environment sensed by the pressure sensitive structure.