Commercially available low-cost fiber optic combustion pressure sensor

We report design considerations and performance data of a fiber optic pressure sensor system that is suitable for continouus cobustion pressure measurements. The sensor is designed for 0 to 1000 psi pressure range and sensor housing temperatures ranging from -40 degrees C to 300 degrees C. A durable metal diaphragm design ensures fatigue-resistant long-term sensor operation and linear response. An intelligent autoreferencing technique provides drift- free output and compensates for high temperature and other environmental effects. Performance data is presented from tests performed in passenger cars and large-bore stationary engines. Typical sensor accuracy is +/- 1% at constant temperature and when connected to different interface units. Continuing endurance tests demonstrate excellent sensor durability for over 2000 hours continuous operation or 200 million pressure cycles that the sensors have been exposed to so far. The FiberPSITM pressure sensor system, commercially viable at this time, meets or exceeds the performance of research grade pressure sensors at a fraction of the cost.