Harsh Environment Optical Fibre Sensor (HEOFS)

Optical instrumentation technology is now maturing and is being adopted in turbomachinery,
aerospace, and Oil and Gas sectors. Optical temperature sensing at discrete locations , 'point
sensing' is relatively early in exploitation, and so far it is restricted to niche applications.
Oxsensis is involved in aircraft brake temperature temperature sensing technology
development, however HEOFS will determine if a more general market exists. This
application will define the market appetite for high performance (high temperature, fact,
accurate, and durable) temperature sensors, size the addressable market and the
price/performance mix that is realistically addressable. HEOFS (Harsh Environment Optical
Fibre Sensing) will involve analysis of the current temperature instrumentation market, to
initially determine the part of that market which should be targeted. Structured interviews
with target customers and collaborators will be undertaken to further understand viable
specification, price, and volume mixes for a high specification optical fibre temperature
product. The target HEOFS market application is in aerospace propulsion gas turbines,
airframes, land based powergeneration gas turbines, and Oil and Gas applications. Oxsensis
has contacts in all of these markets, given its 10 years of pressure sensing development and so
an extension of the conversation, with target end users of the proposed technology, is
achievable. The outcome of HEOFS will also be an identification of potential collaborators
should it be shown that the market case supports prototype development. Proof of existence of
fibre optical sensors has been demonstrated by Oxsensis - lab trials have shown that the
technology is realistic and hence the HEOFS project is well placed to answer the question as
to whether additional R&D investment in product development is justified by a market
demand/opportunity. Target customers will be consulted in the US, Canada, Europe and
Japan, in the target applications.