Brüel & Kjær licences smart fiber technology to UK firm
SmartAccel-HF is a fiber-optic acceleration sensor suitable for high frequency measurement of small vibrations, making it ideal for condition monitoring of rotating machines such as pumps, turbines, motors and wheeled vehicles. It can be used as part of an integrated fiber-optic system to monitor subsea pumps for the oil and gas industry.
The unique measurement benefits of optical fibre sensing technology include increased tolerance against extreme harsh environments, allowing long-term, sustainable monitoring solutions for a wider range of applications.
"We have already proven the product in oil and gas applications and we are now looking to apply it to our other industry sectors,” said Chris Staveley, CEO of Smart Fibres, which will produce and market the technology worldwide.
The SmartAccel-HF is a single-axis Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) acceleration sensor. "One of the key advantages of FBG technology is the ability to multiplex numerous sensors of different measure and types on a few optical fibres. Acceleration is one of the most interesting measures for machine health monitoring, so we are delighted that Brüel and Kjær has applied its expertise to develop this product,” he said
“Developing this transducer has been a valuable research project that has produced transferable knowledge and expertise in Brüel & Kjær. Now, working together with Smart Fibres, we are excited to see it come into the world,” said Finn Kryger Nielsen, Brüel & Kjær’s Transducer R&D Manager.
Under the terms of the agreement, Smart Fibres will manufacture and sell the product to its customers in the oil and gas business and other harsh environment industries including medical and sport. “By bringing the manufacture of the product in-house, we have made acceleration an integral part of our Smart Fibres machine health monitoring solutions," said Staveley.
smartfibres.com
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