ASA 129th Meeting - Washington, DC - 1995 May 30 .. Jun 06

1pEA5. Simple intensity type fiber optic vibration sensors and sensor systems.

Edward F. Carome

Dept. of Phys., John Carroll Univ., Cleveland, OH 44118

Vilnis E. Kubulins

Edjewise Sensor Products, Inc., Cleveland, OH 44122

Research is continuing on the development of simple intensity type fiber optic vibration sensors suitable for use in hostile environments, such as automotive and aircraft engine cavities. The transduction element consists of a single or a pair of optical fibers mounted on a cantilever reed. The intensity of the optical output signal is directly proportional to the reed displacement and, therefore, to acceleration at frequencies well below the reed fundamental. Using readily available materials an operating temperature range of -40 (degrees) to +225 (degrees)C has been achieved. In addition, by employing simple multiplexing techniques, small groups of these sensors may be addressed with a single optical source and/or detector. The basic design of the sensors and the results of extensive laboratory tests are presented in detail. [Work supported in part by NASA.]