WIKA Optical Sensing Ltd (formerly Oxsensis Ltd) – Introducing Optical Sensing to the WIKA portfolio
WIKA Optical Sensing Ltd, previously known as Oxsensis, was acquired by WIKA in 2023 and brings expertise in optical sensing technology, particularly for pressure and temperature measurement.
WIKA Optical Sensing has historically focused on solution development for particularly harsh environments, where extremes of temperature or Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) may prevent the use of traditional electrical sensors.
WIKA Optical Sensing is now developing a range of sensors that offer solutions across various temperature ranges, both with dynamic and static pressure measurement capability, and possibility to add temperature measurement within the same sensor head.
Dynamic pressure measurement
Static pressure measurement
Multi-measurand (pressure and temperature)
WIKA Optical Sensing is expert in Fabry-Perot technology optical measurement techniques. This technology can be used to measure any physical parameter which varies the distance between two partially reflective parallel surfaces.
WIKA Optical Sensing utilises sapphire as the primary material for the reflective surfaces. Sapphire offers:
- A broad range of temperature capability
- Thermally conductive and shock resistant
- Mechanically stable
- Corrosion resistant
- Miniature form factor
Added to this optical sensing offers significant benefits for:
- Intrinsic safety for explosive atmospheres
- Immunity to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
- Stability in temperature extremes, both high temperature and cryogenic temperatures
Dynamic pressure measurement
The WIKA Optical Sensing dynamic pressure optical sensing system is ideal for measuring dynamic pressure changes in harsh environments, such as gas turbine combustion monitoring. The sensor incorporates a micro-machined sapphire sensing element packaged with a high temperature fibre-optic lead-out to form a unique passive sensor configuration.
The properties of the sensor make it suitable for directly mounting on gas turbine combustors. The high reliability passive optical element provides a unique capability for continuous condition monitoring of gas turbine combustion dynamics.
Static Pressure Measurement
Multi-Measurand
High Temperature
Cryogenics
Applications
Technical papers
History
Oxsensis Ltd was founded in 2003 as a spin-out from the STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, England. Oxsensis has two decades’ experience in applying Fabry-Perot based optics to the measurement of pressure, temperature and vibration in hostile environments, applying its proven technology to new applications in Power Generation, Aerospace, Petrochemicals.
Milestones included winning Centrax Ltd as our first series gas turbine customer in 2016, collaborating with each of the major aero engine and industrial gas turbine OEMs, partnering in Aerospace on major systems developments, creating class leading accuracy and resolution pressure instruments, operating systems from >1000°C to -254°C., and deploying closed loop critical control instrumentation systems on machines as large as 350MW.
Having worked with WIKA for several years, the business joined the WIKA Group in 2023, becoming WIKA Optical Sensing Ltd in 2024 and is now taking high performance optical technology from Energy and Aerospace applications and also deploying them in new Industrial applications. This is bringing benefits of installation simplicity, enhanced performance, and reliability to new applications and delivering competitive solutions to the market. The Industrial opportunities are wide and optical technology extends sensing capabilities to new levels for key applications. Measuring more in locations where you want to, not where you must.
Capabilities
WIKA Optical Sensing is a diverse team of experienced engineers, scientists and industry professionals who can offer a solution to your pressure and temperature measurement challenges using proven optical sensing technology. Whether you seek a solution to operate in an extreme environment, or if you have EMI challenges or seek very high accuracy measurement, WIKA Optical Sensing will likely have a solution or be able to work with you to find a solution. Being a WIKA company, we have demonstrated quality product supply, we are ISO 9001 / AS9100 Rev D accredited. We are building manufacturing capability and capacity to support your needs, from our base in Oxfordshire.
Markets
We are actively serving customer and working with partners across a range of industries and applications, all in extreme environments.
Power Generation
Process Industries
Aerospace
Cryogenics
Power Generation
The increasing demands made on lower emissions, fuel and load flexible combustion systems continue to challenge engine architectures and instrumentation systems. Direct mount high temperature combustion stability sensors are needed, and these are being integrated into gas turbine control systems, to allow machines to reliably operate Dry Low Emissions (DLE) systems within progressively tightening standards.
WIKA Optical Sensing is at the heart of this, having developed mature product solutions based on non-electrical, optical, high temperature and direct mount pressure measurement systems – now in service in power generation gas turbines.
Our technology offers full instrumentation systems, across pressure ranges to cover all gas turbines. Single channel and multi-channel systems are available, and we work with owners, OEMs, and Service Providers to establish and validate new engine applications.
Process Industries
WIKA Optical Sensors is leveraging over a decade of experience in turbomachinery pressure and temperature instrumentation. Building on this solid foundation, we are now introducing our first industrial and process sensors to the market. Our new line of sensors offers an impressive temperature capability of up to 600°C, along with combined pressure and measurement, these advanced instruments are designed to meet the rigorous demands of high-performance process applications.
We are excited to see how our customers integrate these innovative sensors into their operations. Their feedback and application insights are invaluable to us, as they help guide the development of our future product offerings. By collaborating closely with our clients, we ensure that our solutions continue to meet and exceed industry standards, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in process instrumentation.
Aerospace
WIKA Optical Sensing produces non-electrical sensor systems that allow airframe and engine manufacturers to monitor pressure, temperature, acceleration, optical position, and speed within aerospace systems.
The move to optical sensing across whole-aircraft and multiple systems, creates the opportunity for multi-channel opto-electronic interrogation to save weight, cost, and space and to directly mount sensors in locations inaccessible to some electrical systems, due to temperature or EMI electrical interference issues.
Cryogenics
Control of cryogenic processes and storage are becoming more and more important as we look for more sustainable fuel and power solutions. WIKA Optical Sensing technology is thermally stable and explosion proof, and capable of measurement to the extremes. WIKA is working with industry partners to support and control their developing technology.
WIKA Optical Sensing Ltd
Unit 6, Genesis Building
Library Avenue
Harwell Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0SG
+44 1235636300