Method and apparatus for optical sensing
US10393574B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/0025
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for fast quantitative measurement of perturbation of optical fields transmitted, reflected and/or scattered along a length of an optical fiber can be used for point sensors as well as distributed sensors or the combination of both. In particular, this technique can be applied to distributed sensors while extending dramatically the speed and sensitivity to allow the detection of acoustic perturbations anywhere along a length of an optical fiber while achieving fine spatial resolution. Advantages of this technique include a broad range of acoustic sensing and imaging applications. Typical uses are for monitoring oil and gas wells such as for distributed flow metering and/or imaging, seismic imaging, monitoring long cables and pipelines, imaging within large vessel as well as for security applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.