Multi-parameter dynamical measuring system using fibre Bragg grating sensors for industrial hydraulic piping

Due to the risk of failure induced by vibration fatigue, performance testing and condition monitoring are important to hydraulic piping systems in some critical industries such as nuclear power, oil and gas, and aerospace. A multi-parameter dynamical measuring system using Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors is proposed to detect multiple physical parameters (strain, temperature, pressure, acceleration, etc.) in industrial hydraulic piping. This paper investigates the multi-parameter measuring principle of FBG and presents the framework of the proposed system. Multi-parameter dynamical measuring experiments on a hydraulic piping test platform were carried out to validate the system. Multiple parameters of the hydraulic piping were obtained and analysed in the time, frequency and modal domains. The results obtained by FBG sensors are in good agreement with those detected by the reference electrical and piezoelectric sensors. The proposed system was implemented to monitor the clamping looseness of the pipe. Experimental results indicate that the proposed system could be used for multi-parameter dynamical measurements and real-time condition monitoring of complex industrial hydraulic piping systems in harsh environments.