A 2-D Fiber Bragg Grating Acceleration Sensor Based on Circular Flexure Hinges Structure

Abstract

This work proposes and experimentally validates a 2D low- and medium-frequency fiber Bragg grating (FBG) acceleration sensor. The investigation of the vibration sensor uses a symmetrical circular flexure hinge structure with similar sensitivity in both measuring directions. The two FBGs are arranged differently to avoid a temperature impact; the sensitivity is double that of only one FBG fiber. First, the operating theory and theoretical system of the FBG accelerometer were analyzed. Second, the theoretical research and optimization improved the FBG sensor’s design, resonance frequency, and sensitivity. Third, the viability of the optimization findings and the simulation was evaluated using ANSYS software. Finally, the product was created, and the sensor calibration was performed using the simulation results. The theoretical values and experimental findings largely concur. According to performance tests, the resonance frequencies in the x- and y-direction are 440 and 500 Hz, respectively, with a flat frequency range from 20 to 300 Hz. Furthermore, the sensor shows average sensitivities along the two spatial dimensions of 124 and 83 pm/G, respectively. The overall anti-interference between the two measuring directions is less than 6%. This sensor is useful in various applications, including vibration monitoring, machine condition monitoring, and robotics.