Optical fibre pressure sensors with enhanced sensitivity

Purpose and goal

Since there is a high demand for fibre-optic pressure sensing, RISE, SKF and SKB proposed various fibre optic pressure sensing solutions for industrial applications. A compact, highly sensitive pressure sensor for seamless integration in machines was developed and successfully tested. Other solutions for distributed pressure measurement, based on specialty optical fibres, have also been investigated and gave promising results. A survey, showing commercial viability for the proposed solutions, was also performed and motivates continued development.

Expected results and effects

SKF is satisfied with the prototype and would like to work towards improving the sensor and integrate it in machines for real operation tests. Proximion, a fibre optic solution provider, manifested interest in large scale fabrication upon field trial validation in machines. SKB also see the solutions as promising for geophysical applications, especially for pressure sensing in boreholes. Pressure measurement with RISE’s special fibres have brought promising results and opened international collaboration prospects with EPFL (Switzerland).

Planned approach and implementation

The work progressed according to plan and all the tasks were performed in synergy by the project partners (RISE, SKF and SKB). SKF and SKB determined the specifications with RISE for the fibre-optic pressure sensor regarding their planned applications. Technical development was performed, followed by laboratory validation to verify the feasibility of the pressure sensing solutions investigated in the project. A survey, including pressure sensor market, existing solutions, IP and commercial prospects of the prototype, was also performed.