About Us
Davidson Instruments was founded in 1995 with a
vision of becoming the world leader in the design, development,
and production of fiber optic sensing systems for use in harsh
industrial applications.
At that time, fiber optics showed enormous potential for
revolutionizing industrial instrumentation the same way it
revolutionized telecommunications.
Fiber optic sensing was viewed as
a technology that could overcome the three fundamental
limitations of conventional electronic sensing systems, i.e.
high temperatures, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and
explosion hazards. Since fiber optic transducer systems do not
employ solders or adhesives, they are tolerant to a much higher
range of operating temperatures. Since optical fibers are
insensitive to electromagnetic interference, the signal is free
of EMI noise. Since the optical power transmitted in the
optical fibers is so low, there is no risk of an explosion, even
in the most hazardous environments. The fundamental limitations
of the electronic systems lead to a number of practical problems
that industry has had to work around such as thermal
sensitivity, freezing, condensation, purge gases,
explosion-proof containment, grounding, lightning, hydrogen
migration, and electromagnetic interference. These practical
field problems lead to unreliable measurements, unplanned and
unnecessary shutdowns, lower productivity and process yield, and
high capital and maintenance costs.
The development of robust fiber optic sensing systems
represented a number of significant technical challenges and
required substantial investment funded by Davidson, its
industrial customers, and by the U.S. Navy and Department of
Energy.
Davidson
has secured a significant competitive advantage in the field of
fiber optic sensing through its extensive patent portfolio
consisting of thirty-two (32) U.S. and international patents and
patents pending. Fourteen (14) are issued US patents in the
field of fiber optic sensing. Fifteen (15) utility patent
applications have been filed in the U.S. and are pending. Ten
(10) of the fifteen utility patent applications have been filed
under the EPA/PCT. Three (3) additional provisional patent
applications have been filed in the U.S.
Davidson has completed the fundamental technology and
product development. Davidson's rugged fiber optic sensing
systems have been thoroughly tested in the laboratory and in
refining, chemical processing, and power generation applications
under extreme conditions. The economic and performance
advantages of these systems are being realized today by the
early adopters of Davidson's technology.
Davidson's product line includes rugged and intrinsically safe
fiber optic sensing systems that can measure temperature,
pressure, flow, level, density, vacuum, acceleration,
vibration, and position at temperatures up to 1000°F and in
corrosive and hydrogen-rich environments. Davidson’s family of
signal conditioners provide seamless interface with existing
distributed control systems and are packaged as
form-fit-function replacement for existing transmitters and
transducers. The systems are also configured in 19" rackmount
and NEMA enclosures that enable multiplexing for highly
efficient installations.
Davidson will remain
committed to its mission of becoming the world leader in the
design, development, and production of fiber optic sensing
systems for harsh industrial environments and to providing
its customers with the safest, most reliable, and most cost
effective instrumentation.
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