Optopneumatic interface for controlling pneumatic power circuits

摘要

This paper presents a study of an optopneumatic interface integrated with a pressure amplifier stage. The interface works using photothermicity to generate a weak pressure signal in its control chambers. In photothermicity, infrared light strikesa black body a few microns thick, increasing the temperature of the black body and air close to it. If this air is in the control chamber of the optopneumatic interface, its expansion generates a pressure control signal, amplified to make it suitable forcommon low/high commercial pressure valves. This control enables the command of pneumatic actuators in hazardous environments, with the electrical signal transformed into optical and transported using optical fiber; all electrical parts can be located ata distance from direct application. Our results showed that the device's response times, accuracy, and repeatability are suited to many applications. Below is an example of a command integrating electric, optical, and pneumatic techniques and operating by an infrared source with very low light power.