WO1993017314A1

WO1993017314A1 - Optical fibre pressure sensor

Info

Publication number: WO1993017314A1
Application number: PCT/GB1993/000315
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan
Original assignee: Sensor Dynamics Limited
Priority date: 1992-02-19
Filing date: 1993-02-15
Publication date: 1993-09-02
Also published as: US5515459A; GB9203471D0; GB2278917A; AU3507593A; GB9416344D0; GB2278917B

Abstract

An optical fibre pressure sensor in which two or more lengths of side-hole fibre (1, 2) are joined together at their ends, in which at a joint (3) the two pieces are rotated relative to one another around their common longitudinal axis, in which one ore more lengths of side-hole fibre have their holes (5) sealed, and in which one or more lengths of side-hole fibre have their holes (4) exposed to the same pressure as is external to that length of fibre.

Description

OPTICAL FIBRE PRESSURE SENSOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A variety of industrial processes require knowledge of fluid pressure i order effectively to control productivity and quality of the process. I particular, the pressures and temperatures encountered are often ver different to those of ambient conditions. Examples are the chemic process industries, internal combustion engine control and oil productio A pressure sensor manufactured of a robust material such as silica ca withstand extreme pressures and temperatures and thus is particularl useful.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

European Patent Application EP 0 144 509 A3 "Fiber Opti interferometer transducer" teaches how a dual path polarimetri interferometer may be constructed so that, when suitable means conve isotropic pressure to anisotropic radial forces on an optical fibre, useful signal results, which may be used as a measure of the isotropi pressure. Suitable means are described in the paper by K ansen and P Dabkiewicz, "High pressure fiber-optic sensor with side-hole fiber", SPI Proceedings, Fiber Optic Sensors II, Vol. 798, pp.56-60, 1987, where single mode optical fibre is manufactured with side holes so as to form polarimetric sensor sensitive to isotropic pressure. The dual pat polarimetric interferometer operates by obtaining a measurement of th optical path length difference between the two orthogonal polarisatio modes which are guided by the fibre. The optical path length difference i made intentionally sensitive to pressure, but is also generally sensitiv to temperature which is often undesirable. Thus, such polarimetri pressure sensors normally require temperature compensation to b useful.

The output of the dual-path polarimetric interferometer sensor may be expressed in the form COS(φ), where the optical path lengt difference is expressed as a phase delay φ such that:

Φ = (2πL/λ).(A + BΓΓJ.P)

and where T is the temperature, P the pressure, λ the optical wavelengt

L the length of fibre, A[T] the inherent birefringence function o temperature, and B[T] the pressure dependent birefringence function o temperature. When two lengths of fibre, designated 1 and 2, and o lengths LI and L2, are joined together, and subject to pressures PI and P respectively, then the combined phase delay is given by: Φ12 = (2π/λ).((Ll.Al[T]⁺L2.A2[T]) + (L1.B1[T].P1⁺L2.B2[TJ.P2))

when the two orthogonal birefringent axes of the two fibres are aligned, and: φI2 = (2π/λ).((Ll.Al[T]-L2.A2[T]) + (Ll.Bim.Pl-L2.B2rn.P2))

when the two orthogonal birefringent axes of the two fibres are at right angles.

In general, the temperature sensitivity of the inherent birefringence, A, is at least an order of magnitude greater than that of the pressure dependent birefringence, B, and so there is considerable advantage in minimising the inherent component. If the " two lengths are made identical, L1=L2=L, and the fibres rotated 90° relative to each other about their longitudinal axis at the join, as taught by J.P.Dakin and C.Wade, "Compensated polarimetric sensor using polarisation-maintaining fibre in a differential configuration", Electron. Lett., Vol.20, No.l, pp. 51-53, 1984, then A1[T]=A2[T], and so the inherent birefringence component cancels to give:

φl2 = (2πL/λ).(Bl[T].Pl-B2[T].P2)

If B1 [T]=B2[T], which will be the case if the two pieces of fibre are identically sensitive to pressure, then a useful signal will only be obtained if the two pieces of fibre experience different pressures, that is PI is not equal to P2. This is the approach taught by the prior art, Daidn and Wade. However, there is an alternative approach in which a useful signal may be obtained when the two pieces of fibre experience the same pressure, that is PI equals P2. If B1[T] may be made not equal to B2[T] and yet the expression A1[T]=A2{T] still applies, then PI may equal P2, that is the two pieces of fibre may experience the same pressure, and yet temperature compensation of the inherent birefringence still occur. This is the basis for the present invention, where B1[T] and B2[T] are made to differ by changing the pressure experienced within side-holes formed in the fibre.

In some cases it may be advantageous to use unequal lengths of fibre in order to bias the sensor at a convenient phase delay, especially when temperature compensation is only required over a limited range of operation. In a particular case, for example, the inherent birefringence component A1[T] and the pressure induced birefringence component

BlITj.Pl of one section may be compensated by the inherent birefringence A2[T] of the other section without compromising the overall pressure sensitivity. The present invention allows the adjustment of the lengths of fibre for this type of compensation. Also, it may be preferred to use unequal lengths of fibre so that the sensor has a particular temperature induced birefringence. For example, the overall temperature induced birefringence may be adjusted to be positive or negative with respect to the pressure induced birefringence by choosing the compensating fibre t be shorter or longer than the sensing section. In this case, the output of number of sensors may be combined to differentiate the temperature an pressure induced birefringence changes. For example, it would b advantageous to combine two sensors, where one has positive and th other has negative temperature induced birefringence, but both have similar value of pressure induced birefringence.

In order to achieve the separation of the two pressure regions a required by the prior art, some form of high pressure seal is require which normally acts upon the sensitive regions of the sensor. This lead to undesirable imperfections in the operation of the sensor which can b avoided with the present invention.

A different type of optical fibre sensor may be constructed b inserting partially reflecting mirrors into the fibre waveguide, such as by depositing a dielectric coating onto the end of the fibre and then splicing to another length of fibre, to form a Fabry-Perot interferometer as taugh by T.Yoshini, K.Kurosawa, K.Itoh, and T.Ose, "Fiber-Optic Fabry-Pero interferometer and its sensor applications", IEEE J. Quantum Electron., Vol. QE-18, pp.1624- 1632, 1982. Alternatively, partially reflected mirrors may be formed by writing a grating into the fibre as taught by G. Meltz, W. Morey, and W. H. Glenn, "Formation of Bragg Gratings in optical fibres by transverse holographic method", Opt. Lett., 14, pp.823-825, 1989. Both these forms of sensor also require temperature compensation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is to provide a means of temperature compensating a dual path polarimetric optical fibre pressure senso without the restriction of prior art that the two sensitive regions of the sensor must lie in two separate regions of pressure.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a means o compensating a dual path polarimetric optical fibre pressure sensor by the selection of the relative lengths of the two pressure sensitive fibre sections of the sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to- the present invention, there is provided an optical fibre pressure sensor in which two or more lengths of side-hole fibre are joined together at their ends, in which at a joint the two pieces are rotated relative to one another around their common longitudinal axis, in which one or more lengths of side-hole fibre have their holes sealed, and in which one or more lengths of side-hole fibre have their holes exposed to the same pressure as is external to that length of fibre. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the angle of rotation at the join between fibre lengths is close to 90°, preferably exactly 90°, and the total lengths of fibre which have sealed side-holes and open side-holes are almost equal, preferably exactly equal.

An advantage of the present invention is that both lengths of fibre may be exposed externally to one region of pressure and temperature, while the side-holes . of one of the fibre lengths are also subject to this same external pressure. The pressure to which the side-holes of one length of fibre is subject may differ from that of the other since the side- holes at both ends of one fibre may be sealed, hence forming a sealed enclosure, whereas the side-holes of the other fibre may be open. The birefringence of the fibre depends upon the difference in pressure between that experienced by the outer surface of the fibre and the pressure within the side-holes. Thus the sensor will give a useful output when both lengths of fibre are exposed to the same external pressure. When the two lengths of fibre are subject to the same temperature, the overall temperature sensitivity is reduced, because the optical path lengths of the two orthogonal polarisation states are similar. The closer the angle of rotation is to 90°, and the closer the open and closed lengths of fibre are to being equal, the more effective the temperature compensation is in magnitude and temperature range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a polarimetric pressure sensor using two sections of side-hole fibre according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the polarimetric pressure sensor shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of the polarimetric pressure sensor shown in Figure 1, but at 90° to that of Figure 2;

Figures 4a,4b,4c and 4d show cross-sectional views of the polarimetric sensor depicted in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 shows embodiment of the present invention utilising optical fibres in a transmission configuration; Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section of another embodiment of the present invention in which the side holes on both ends of the sensor are exposed to the surrounding pressure whereas the side holes of the middle section are sealed;

Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention in a reflection configuration;

Figure 8 shows a more preferred embodiment, in which a fibre polariser is utilised; Figure 9 shows a longitudinal section of polarimetric senso including a partially reflective mirror;

Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section of a polarimetric Fabry-Per type interferometer using side-hole fibre according to the presen invention in a transmission configuration; and

Figure 11 shows a longitudinal section of a polarimetric Fabry-Per type interferometer using side-hole fibre according to the presen invention in a reflection configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, which is a three dimensional view, an Figures 2 and 3, which are longitudinal sections along diameters at righ angles to each other, a sensor according to the present inventio comprises a length of side-hole fibre 1 joined at a joint 3, preferabl fusion spliced, to another length of side-hole fibre 2 with diameters tha pass through the side holes of the two lengths aligned at an angle preferably exactly 90 degrees. The side-holes of the one length 2 of fibr are left open 4, and the side-holes of the other length of fibre 1 are seale 5, by any suitable means such as plugs or adhesive. Light from a source i delivered to the sensor by means of light delivery optical means 6, an the light emerging from the sensor is collected by light collectio optical means 7. It should be understood that the source and collectio optical means may be interchanged with respect to the side-hole fibres 1 and 2, so means 6, collects light and means 7, delivers light, withou affecting the present invention. The optical means consists of a lens, a optical fibre, or any other suitable optical delivery or collection means Light is to be taken to mean any range within the electromagneti spectrum suitable for operation of the sensor . Four cross-sections, at right angles to the longitudinal axis, and a different positions along the two lengths of fibre, are given in Figure 4 Figure 4a shows the cross-section 8 of the end where the side-holes ar sealed 5 in Figure 2, and Figure 4b is the same section in Figure 3. Figur 4c shows the cross-section 9 in Figure 2, and section 13 in Figure 3, alon the length of the fibre. Figure 4d shows the equivalent cross-section a

10 in Figure 2, and 12 in Figure 3.

Both lengths of fibre 1 and 2 are exposed to the same surroundin temperature and pressure 14 which is the same pressure experienced i the side-holes 15 of the open fibre 2. The pressure 16 inside the side-hol of the other length of fibre 1 is determined by the pressure an temperature of the fluid that was trapped in the side-holes at the tim the seals 5 and joint 3 were formed. Preferably, but not necessarily, vacuum exists inside the side-holes of fibre 1.

In Figures 5,6,7,8,9,10 and 11, a number of different embodiments o the present invention are shown enclosed by a chamber 17 and wit pressure seals 18, such that the pressure 19 within the chamber may be measured by the present invention, but with the measurement apparatus (not shown) external to the chamber 17 and at a different pressure. The depiction of the chamber in these diagrams is for clarification of the use of the present invention and does not indicate that such a chamber is a necessary part of any of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a preferred embodiment according to the present invention in which light delivery and light collection means are connected to the side-hole fibres 1 and 2 by means of optical fibres 20, such that the side-holes of one length of fibre 2 are left open 4 and the side-holes of the other length of fibre 1 are sealed at the joint 21, preferably by fusion splicing, and where the two side-hole fibres are joined at joint 3, preferably also by fusion splicing.

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment according to the present invention, in which a length of side-hole fibre 22 is connected between two other lengths of side-hole fibres 23, such that the side-holes of the fibres are sealed at the joints 24, preferably by fusion splicing, and the side-holes of the other ends 25 remain open to the external pressure 19. The total length of the fibre 22, with the side-holes at both ends sealed, is preferably equal to the sum of the lengths of fibre 23 with the side-holes open at one end.

Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment according to the present invention in which optical fibre 26 acts both as delivery and collection means, since light delivered to one end of the fibre is reflected at a mirror 27 at the other end. The mirror 27 may be separate from the fibre, or more preferably, deposited upon the end of the fibre.

Figure 8 is a more preferred embodiment in which an optical fibre polariser 28 is combined with the present invention to form a polarimetric interferometer. The polariser 28, which is included by the delivery and collection means 26, is joined, preferably fusion spliced, at joint 29 to the fibre 1 with its axis aligned at about 45 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, to the side-hole axes, which also provides a means of sealing the side-holes of fibre 1 at the joint 29.

Figure 9 shows a further embodiment, according to the present invention, which includes a partially reflective mirror 30 from which a portion of light is reflected bac through the side-hole fibres 1 and 2 to the delivery means 31, and another portion of light is transmitted to the collection means 32.

Figure 10 illustrates a Fabry-Perot polarimetric sensor embodiment, according to the present invention, in which the ends of the side-hole fibres 1 and 2 include partially reflective mirrors 33 and 3 inserted into the optical waveguide 35.

Figure 1 1 shows a further embodiment of the Fabry-Pero polarimetric interferometer in which optical fibre 36 acts both as ligh delivery and collection means since light is partially reflected from mirror 37 and a mirror 38, which is at the end of the side-hole fibre, an preferably deposited upon it.

In Figures 5,6,7,8,9,10, and 11, it should be understood that th side-hole fibres 1 and 2 may be interchanged with respect to th collection and delivery means without affecting the present invention. I addition, the diameters of the optical fibres used for delivery an collection, and the diameters of the side-hole fibres, may be chosen a convenient to seal the side-hole fibres or not as required. Preferably th diameters are similar, or equal, but do not need to be according to th present invention.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the inventio described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have bee given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected Thus, for example, the mirrors may be a variety of types of mirro including metal film, dielectric film, refractive index differences, o gratings within the fibre.

Claims

1. An optical fibre pressure sensor in which two or more lengths of side-hole fibre are joined together at their ends, in which at a joint the two pieces are rotated relative to one another around their common longitudinal axis, in which one or more lengths of side-hole fibre have their holes sealed, and in which one or more lengths of side-hole fibre, have their holes exposed to the same pressure as is external to that length of fibre.

2. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to claim 1 in which the angle of rotation at the join between fibre lengths is substantially 90°.

3. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to claim 2 in which the angle of rotation at the join between fibre lengths is exactly 90°.

4. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to any one of the preceding claims in which the total lengths of fibre which have sealed side-holes and open side-holes are substantially equal.

5. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to claim 4 in which the total lengths of fibre which have sealed side-holes and open side- holes are exactly equal.

6. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to any one of the preceding claims in which light delivery and light collection means are connected to the side-hole fibres.

7. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to claim 6 in which the light delivery and light collection means are connected to the side- hole fibres by means of optical fibres such that the side-holes in one length of the fibre are left open and the side-holes in another length of fibre are sealed at the joint.

8. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to claim 6 or claim

7 in which the light delivery and light collection means are connected to the side-hole fibres by fusion splicing.

9. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to any one of claim 1 to 5 in which a length of side-hole fibre is connected between two othe lengths of side-hole fibres such that the side-holes of the fibre are seale at the joints, and the side-holes of the other ends remain open to externa pressure.

10. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to any one of th preceding claims and including an optical fibre which acts both a delivery and collection means.

1 1. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to any one of claim 1 to 9 and including an optical fibre polariser, thereby to form polarimetric interferometer.

12. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to any one of claim

1 to 9 and including a partially reflective mirror from which a portion o light is reflected back through the side-hole fibres to delivery means, an from which another portion of light is transmitted to collection means.

13. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to any one of claim

1 to 9 and including a Fabry-Perot polarimetric interferometer in whic the ends of the side-hole fibres include partially reflective mirror inserted into an optical waveguide.

14. An optical fibre pressure sensor according to any one of claim

1 to 9 and including a Fabry-Perot polarimetric interferometer in whic an optical fibre acts both as light delivery and collection means, ligh being partially reflected from a first mirror and from a second mirro which is at the end of the side-hole fibre.

15. An optical fibre pressure sensor substantially as herei described with reference to the accompanying drawings.