Distributed fiber optic acoustic sensor

US11169019B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Luna Innovations Incorporated · US

Inventors

• Hongxin Chen · Shanghai, CN
• Xiaotian Steve Yao · Diamond Bar, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 10, 2017
• Grant date: Nov 9, 2021
• Expiry date: Mar 4, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01L1/246
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

One example coherent optical time domain reflectometer device includes a coherent light source that produces coherent probe light pulses at an optical wavelength; an optical coupling unit coupled to f a fiber link under test to direct the coherent probe light pulses into the fiber link and to receive reflected probe light pulses from the fiber link; an optical detection unit to receive the reflected probe light pulses and structured to include an optical interferometer to process the reflected probe light pulses along two different optical paths to generate different optical output signals from the reflected probe light pulses along different optical paths, and optical detectors to receive the optical output signals from the optical interferometer; and a device controller coupled to the optical detection unit to extract information on spatial distribution of acoustic—or vibration—or strain-dependent characteristics as a function of distance along the fiber link under test.