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A differential pressure transducer which incorporates a Fabry-Perot sensor for direct quantitative measurements of the distance displaced by a piston abutting two pressure boundaries is described. The apparatus includes a piston with an annular protrusion which is fitted into a transducer housing ha

A differential pressure transducer which incorporates a Fabry-Perot sensor for direct quantitative measurements of the distance displaced by a piston abutting two pressure boundaries is described. The apparatus includes a piston with an annular protrusion which is fitted into a transducer housing having a peripheral groove that serves as a stop to prevent damage to the in overpressure situations. A method of measuring differential pressure using a Fabry-Perot sensor is also contemplated.

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We claim: 1. A differential pressure transducer comprising: first and second diaphragms, said first and second diaphragms each having an outer edge; a transducer housing having a peripheral groove, at least a portion of said housing situated between the outer edge of the first and second diaphragms

We claim: 1. A differential pressure transducer comprising: first and second diaphragms, said first and second diaphragms each having an outer edge; a transducer housing having a peripheral groove, at least a portion of said housing situated between the outer edge of the first and second diaphragms; a piston having a protrusion which fits within the peripheral groove, said piston affixed to the first and second diaphragms, enclosed by the transducer housing and movable relative to the transducer housing; and at least one Fabry-Perot sensor affixed to the transducer housing, said Fabry-Perot sensor including means for quantitatively measuring movement of the piston. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piston includes a reflective surface defining one end of a Fabry Perot gap. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piston moves along a parallel axis relative to the transducer housing. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the Fabry-Perot sensor extends through a void created within the piston. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the Fabry-Perot sensor is affixed to the transducer housing proximate to the peripheral groove. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular protrusion defines one end of the piston. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transducer housing comprises first and second support rings, said first support ring having a varying diameter which defines a portion the peripheral groove. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transducer housing is integrated within one of an orifice plate or a venturi tube. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piston is formed in one of: a T-shape, an I-shape, an L-shape, a C-shape, a U-shape, a cross shape, an axially asymmetrical shape or a planarly asymmetrical shape. 10. A method for measuring differential pressure changes between two diaphragms, the method comprising: positioning a piston having a protrusion between two diaphragms and enclosing the piston within a transducer housing containing a Fabry-Perot sensor so that the annular protrusion fits with a peripheral groove on the transducer housing; monitoring the Fabry-Perot sensor to quantitatively determine movement of the piston relative to the transducer housing; and calculating differential pressure variations between the two diaphragms based upon the quantitatively determined movement.