Optical pressure/density measuring means

Patent · Tue May 09 04:00:00 EDT 1995

OSTI ID:46306

Veligdan, J T

An apparatus and method are disclosed for rapidly and accurately determining the pressure of a fluid medium in either a static or dynamic state. The pressure is determined by making a measurement of the velocity of a light beam that is directed through the fluid medium along a pathway that enables an integrated pressure measurement to be made along the pathway, rather than making such a measurement only at a single point in the medium. A HeNe laser is configured to emit a beam of two frequencies separated by about 2 MHz. One of these beam frequencies is directed through the fluid medium and is reflected back through the medium to a non-linear diode detector. The other beam frequency is passed directly to a diode detector without traversing said medium. The diode detector is operated to determine the frequency shift or beat frequency between the two beam frequencies. Any variation in the frequency of said reflected beam that is caused by a change in its velocity as it is passed through the fluid medium causes a change in the beat frequency. This beat frequency change is then converted to an output signal value corresponding to the pressure of the medium. The measurement instrument apparatus is remotely positioned relative to the medium being measured, thus the apparatus is immune from electro-magnetic interference and can operate in conditions of high radiation, corrosion and extraordinarily high temperature. 4 figs.

• Research Organization: Associated Universities Inc
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc., Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,414,509/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-027,878
• OSTI ID: 46306
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
DESIGN
FREQUENCY MEASUREMENT
GAS LASERS
LASER RADIATION
MEASURING METHODS
OPTICAL EQUIPMENT
PRESSURE GAGES
VISIBLE RADIATION