Technical Papers


bookThanks to the strong collaboration between INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES and Optical Fiber Sensors Group at the Institute TeCIP of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, the company R&D team is extremely active in publishing papers in both scientific journals and conferences. In particular, INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES has been involved in numerous publications aimed to the introduction of advanced measurements technique based on Fiber Optic Sensor technologies, providing support through its own reading units and sensors as well as its expertise on the Optical Fiber Sensors deployment.



Source: Sensors 2018

Authors: F. Barone a A. Signorinib, Laurent Ntibarikure c, Tiziano Fiore c, F. Di Pasqualea, Claudio. J. Otona
a Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna,   b INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES Srl,   c Baker Hughes, a GE Company, Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie

Abstract: We describe a fiber-optic system to measure the liquid level inside a container. The technique is based on the extraction of the temperature profile of the fiber by using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) array. When the temperatures of the liquid and the gas are different, the liquid level can be estimated. We present a physical model of the system and the experimental results and we compare different algorithms to extract the liquid level from the temperature profile. We also show how air convection influences the temperature profile and the level of estimation accuracy. We finally show dynamic response measurements which are used to obtain the response time of the sensor. Turbomachinery monitoring is proposed as one possible application of the device.

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Source: IEEE Metrology for Aerospace 2017

Authors: P. Nannipieri a G. Meonia, F. Nesti a, E. Mancini a, F. Celi a, L. Quadrelli a, E. Ferratoa, P. Guardatia, F. Barontia, L. Fanuccia, A. Signorinib, T. Nannipierib
a University of Pisa,   b INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES Srl, 

Abstract: U-PHOS (Upgraded PHP Only for Space) is a project developed within the REXUS/BEXUS programme framework, by a team of students from the University of Pisa with the goal to analyse and characterize the behaviour of a Pulsating Heat Pipe (PHP), one of the most attractive two phases passive systems for thermal management in space applications. The PHP consists of a sealed serpentine capillary tube filled with a working fluid. The heat is efficiently transported by means of the combined action of phase change and capillary forces, so no extra equipment is required. The project aims at investigating the thermal response of such a device under a milli-gravity condition, in order to assess its effectiveness in space conditions. To do so, the power delivered to the system, the internal pressure of the PHP and in particular its temperature in several points must be measured. The temperature measurements are performed by an innovative fibre sensing solution based on arrays of fibre Bragg Gratings (FBGs), which act as temperature sensors at specific locations along only one optical fibre. This paper intends to describe the system built by the students, focusing on the FBG temperature measurements systems. A comparison between the adopted solution and other possible measurement systems is performed, highlighting advantages and drawbacks.

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Source: Conference OMC 2017

Authors: A. Signorini a T. Nannipieri a, F. Di Pasquale b, G.Gaudiuso c, G.Girezzi c
a INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES S.r.l,   b Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna,   b GE Oil&Gas Nuovo Pignone

Abstract: In this paper, we present a field test of temperature sensors, based on arrays of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG), on a co-generation steam turbine operating at the GE Oil&Gas Nuovo Pignone facility in Florence. This unit has been upgraded with new components and high efficiency stages designed by GE technicians over the last years, providing the opportunity to test and validate the FBGs sensors for temperature measurements. Two different kind of FBGs, packaged in flexible and rigid loose tubes of stainless steel AISI 304, have been developed and adapted to Oil&Gas requirements from INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES, following GE technicians’ expertise; the temperature distribution in 44 different sensing points has been acquired, along the  thickness and the surface of the turbine casing, with only 5 fiber optic acquisition channels for an extended temperature measurement range up to 500 °C.

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Source: Conference Paper OFS-24 (Post Deadline)

Authors: Y.Muanenda a, C. J. Oton a, S. Faralli a,b, T. Nannipieri a,b, A. Signorini a,b, F. Di Pasquale a,b
a Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
b INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES S.r.l., Italy

Abstract: In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate a hybrid distributed acoustic and temperature sensor (DATS) based on Raman and coherent Rayleigh scattering processes in a standard singlemode fiber. A single commercial off-the-shelf DFB laser and a common receiver block are used to implement a highly integrated hybrid sensor system with key industrial applications. Distributed acoustic sensing and Raman temperature measurement are simultaneously performed by exploiting cyclic Simplex pulse coding in a phase-sensitive OTDR and in Raman DTS using direct detection. Suitable control and modulation of the DFB laser ensures inter-pulse incoherence and intra-pulse coherence, enabling accurate long-distance measurement of vibrations and temperature with minimal post-processing.

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Source: IEEE - Photonics Technology Letters

Authors: Iacopo Toccafondo a,b, Tiziano Nannipieri c, Alessandro Signorini c, Elisa Guillermain b, Jochen Kuhnhenn d, Markus Brugger b, Fabrizio Di Pasquale a,c
a Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
b CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research, Switzerland
c INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES S.r.l., Italy
d Fraunhofer-Institut Naturwissenschaftlich-Technische Trendanalysen (INT), Germany

Abstract: A field trial has been performed at the CERN High energy AcceleRator Mixed field facility (CHARM), newly developed for testing devices within accelerator representative radiation environments, to validate the use of Raman optical fiber sensors for temperature dependence correction in distributed dosimeters based on radiation induced attenuation in optical fibers. Experimental results demonstrate that Raman distributed temperature sensors, operating in loop configuration on radiation tolerant optical fibers, are robust to harsh environments in which a mixed field radiation, including protons, neutrons, photons and muons, is potentially altering the fiber material properties. The temperature profile measured on commercial radiation tolerant optical fibers is fully reliable and can then be used to correct the radiation induced attenuation temperature dependence in distributed radiation sensing systems based on Phosphorous-doped optical fibers.

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Source: Conference Paper OFS-24

Authors: Iacopo Toccafondo a,b, Tiziano Nannipieri c, Alessandro Signorini c, Elisa Guillermain b, Jochen Kuhnhenn d, Markus Brugger b, Fabrizio Di Pasquale a,c
a Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Italy
b CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research, Switzerland
c INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES S.r.l., Italy
d Fraunhofer-Institut Naturwissenschaftlich-Technische Trendanalysen (INT), Germany

Abstract: In this paper we present a validation of distributed Raman temperature sensing (RDTS) at the CERN high energy accelerator mixed field radiation test facility (CHARM), newly developed in order to qualify electronics for the challenging radiation environment of accelerators and connected high energy physics experiments. By investigating the effect of wavelength dependent radiation induced absorption (RIA) on the Raman Stokes and anti-Stokes light components in radiation tolerant Ge-doped multi-mode (MM) graded-index optical fibers, we demonstrate that Raman DTS used in loop configuration is robust to harsh environments in which the fiber is exposed to a mixed radiation field. The temperature profiles measured on commercial Ge-doped optical fibers is fully reliable and therefore, can be used to correct the RIA temperature dependence in distributed radiation sensing systems based on P-doped optical fibers.

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Company

INFIBRA TECHNOLOGIES Srl is engaged in designing and manufacturing of next-generation fiber optic sensors systems, while also offering engineering services. Energy, Oil & Gas, Transportation and Civil Engineering are our target markets, with solutions even suitable for harsh environments. Monitoring of temperature, vibration, deformation, or other chemical-physical parameters through a single optical fiber are our typical applications and FBGs, Raman, Brillouin and Rayleigh are our technologies.

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