Overview

Optical sensors embedded within fused silica (glass) and inscribed with a femtosecond laser manufacturing process can operate up to 1000°C (1832°F). If alternative materials are selected, such as sapphire, operating temperatures of the sensing element can reach beyond 1800°C (3272°F). Fibos is actively researching and developing transducers that utilize these sensing elements to provide data that was never before available.

Pressure Transducers

Collecting pressure measurements within a hot environment is challenging. Existing electrical technologies, such as piezoelectric elements and silicon-on-insulator (SOI), are limited to operating temperatures of approximately 700°C and 500°C, respectively. The gas turbine engine manufacturers are leading the charge for the advancement of pressure transducers, as can be seen through the Propulsion Instrumentation Working Group (PIWG) sensor specifications that are desired. At Fibos, we believe that optical sensors will enable this advancement beyond the current limitations that exist with operating temperatures for electrical sensors.

Fibos has a project with GE Aviation, funded in part by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), to demonstrate our Ultra-High Temperature Pressure Transducers for gas turbine engine combustion pressure measurements. For more information, please refer to the article released from SDTC, or contact our team to discuss your application.

Temperature Probes

Achieving a measurement uncertainty of +/-0.2°C between -15°C to 130°C has been proven through extensive testing. Results can be found in the article here. With the major contributing source of error being the signal conditioner itself, it is expected that the Fibos temperature probes can maintain this measurement uncertainty over a wider operating temperature range. Drift due to high temperature does occur, and Fibos is actively researching this to better understand the cause and to try and reduce the drift per hour. Optical temperature probes, as a result of the small form factor and excellent measurement uncertainty, are a good alternative to RTD or thermocouple sensors.

Custom Transducers

Fibos can develop custom transducers for vibration, load, strain or other mechanical force measurements based on the extensive knowledge and experience we have with our standard product portfolio. Please see below for our standard products that can be adapted to fit your application.