Abstract
This article proposes and experimentally demonstrates a corrugated-tube-based fiber-optic sensor capable of measuring pressure, vibration, or both simultaneously. To address the limited sensitivity of conventional diaphragm-based designs, the sensor incorporates an optimized corrugated tube that balances the conflicting stiffness requirements for pressure and vibration measurements. The corrugated tube, acting as a mechanical transducer, is integrated with an extrinsic fiber-optic Fabry–Perot interferometer (EFPI). The EFPI cavity is formed between a reflective surface at the sealed end of the corrugated tube and the cleaved end face of an optical fiber fixed within a mounting assembly. In this configuration, displacement of the corrugated tube induced by pressure and/or vibration directly leads to variations in the EFPI cavity length, which are quantified through interference signal analysis. A series of experiments was conducted using a hydraulic test pump and vibration testing equipment to simulate pressure changes and vibrational disturbances, respectively. The pressure calibration results show a linear relationship between cavity length variation and applied water pressure over a range up to 1 MPa, achieving a sensitivity of −236.75 μm/MPa with a resolution as fine as 10 Pa. Vibration tests demonstrate stable sensor responses over frequencies ranging from 5 to 200 Hz, with an average acceleration sensitivity of approximately 62.49 nm/g. Furthermore, experimental validation confirms the sensor's capability for simultaneous measurement of pressure and vibration acceleration. With its simple structure, wide measurement range, high sensitivity, excellent mechanical robustness, and minimal temperature sensitivity, the proposed sensor is well suited for practical deployment in demanding industrial environments.
Recommended Citation
Y. Chen et al., "Resolving Stiffness Trade-Offs in Simultaneous Pressure and Vibration Sensing using a Corrugated-Tube Fiber-Optic Sensor," IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Jan 2026.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2026.3693407
Department(s)
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
corrugated tube; EFPI; optical fiber sensors; pressure; simultaneous measurement; vibration acceleration
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1557-9662; 0018-9456
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2026 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2026
