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Fiber optic sensor application overview

Fiber optic displacement sensors have a wide range of applications in several industries, and they are particularly useful in space exploration, automotive and cryogenic environments. These sensors provide high accuracy and reliability, making them suitable for use in extreme conditions.

In space exploration, fiber optic displacement sensors are used to measure the position and movement of spacecraft components. They can also provide precise measurements of distances between objects in space, helping to ensure the safety of space missions.

In the automotive industry, fiber optic displacement sensors are used to measure the movement of car parts during testing and development. They can also be used to monitor the condition of critical parts such as engines and brakes in real-time.

In cryogenic environments, fiber optic displacement sensors are used to measure the movement and displacement of materials and structures at extremely low temperatures. This helps to ensure that critical components remain intact and are functioning as expected.

Overall, the use of fiber optic displacement sensors provides an important tool for many industries where precise measurements and accuracy are paramount.

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Application Description
90° probes
Examples of many types of 90° probes
Aerospace
Aerospace Applications (19 pages)
Interference from ambient light
The R1 option filter removes ambient light
Bend light
Fiber optic probe tips can be polished at a specific angle to bend the light as needed
Compressor blade vibration
Compressor blade vibrations measured with a high slew rate sensor
Connected fiber optics
Connectors allow for the removal and/or replacement of fiber optic tips and fiber optic cables
Cryogenics 1
Example of cryogenic applications
Cryogenics 2
Sensors for Extreme Environments
NA
Cryogenics 4
FODS for rocket engines with pressurized cryogenic fluids
Cryogenics 5
Speed ​​sensors for cryogenic turbopumps
Custom Applications
Example of sensors for soil testing, fracturing fluid testing, gear testing, etc.
Fiber optic cable jackets
Listing of characteristics and temperature ranges for different jacket options.
Development of flywheels
High speed composite flywheels
Friction Studies
Slip-stick and the evolution of friction strength for earthquake prediction
Gas turbine assembly
Side view is combined with end view fiber optics to measure turbine blade tip clearance
Glass measurement
Edge detection
Glass measurement
How to measure the thickness of clear glass
Glass measurement
Encoder Discs – Encoder Discs
Glass measurement
Inspection of contour glass
High pressure
Design guidelines for high pressure support
Hot surfaces
Displacement measurements for use up to >600°C
In liquids – Models D
The sensor tip is immersed in a liquid. How will the sensor react?
In liquids – RC models
The sensor tip is immersed in a liquid. How will the sensor react?
Inkjet printer
How to determine the optimal distance between the printhead and the paper
Intrinsic security
Use fiber optics where intrinsic safety is required
Long fiber optic cables
Fiber optic cables are limited to lengths of 3 – 15 m depending on the sensor model.
With additional in-line connectors, lengths of up to 30 m can be achieved with some models.
Long fiber optic cables
45 meter cable length for vacuum now possible
Magnetic fields
Fiber optic sensor options for measurements in high magnetic fields
Mars Rover Mission
Philtec sensors contribute to the success of the NASA/JPL Mars Rover Mission 2003
Measure distance in vacuum
Philtec’s full line of fiber optic feed-through solutions will be showcased for low, medium and
ultra-high vacuum applications
Measure up to 100mm
Expand operating ranges with offset and gain options
Misalignment: Type D
Sensor applications with inclination
Misalignment
RC vs. D models with target misalignment
Misalignment
Co-planarity monitoring in semiconductor manufacturing
MRI Sensor
Gap sensors for MRI applications
Multi-channel vacuum feedthrough
A vacuum passage for 8 sensor channels is space-saving and cost-effective
Inspection of needle drills
Small fiber optic sensors are a good choice for missing part inspection
Piston stroke
The top dead center position of the piston in internal combustion engines is measured
Radiation
Effects of gamma radiation are discussed
Radiation
Radiation-resistant sensor systems
RC sensor calibrations
RC171 Calibrations were made to 4 different metal targets
Reflection dependent sensors
Shows how changing target reflectance affects the output of D-type sensors
Reflection Compensated Sensors
Shows how RC sensors respond to specular and diffuse reflective targets
Reflection Compensation
The effectiveness of the reflection compensation is demonstrated
Reflection interference
How to avoid reflective interference
Retroreflective Targets
Use retroreflective tape to improve sensor performance
Rotor runout – hard disk drive
Hard disk drive wobble is measured
Rotor runout – 90° probes
High-speed shaft runout measurements are made with right-angle probes
Rotor concentricity
Pump shaft vibrations
Side sensors to measure shaft rotation and vibrations in tight spaces
Rust
Accurate measurements on textured surfaces
Shock tests
Sideways-facing sensors are used to capture dynamic measurements in tight spaces
Standard Thread Tips
Listing of thread tips with standard threads and lengths and standard prices
Temperature limits
Information on the temperature limits of Philtec sensor tips, cables and electronics.
Temperature stabilization
Temperature stabilized amplifiers are recommended when long-term stability is required.
Thread check
Two-head probes for internal thread inspection
Cold clearance of turbine blades
Turbine Blade Tip-to-Casing Clearance
Dynamic play of the
turbine blade tips
RC sensors for dynamic blade tip clearance measurements
Vacuum feedthrough for UHV
Weldable single pass vacuum feedthrough connector
The dynamics of small valves
Small valve engine applications are described
Valve lift in diesel engines
Diesel engine valve applications are discussed