Structure monitoring
US11656204B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2013 |
| Grant date | May 23, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/35383
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring a structure using an optical fiber based distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) extending along the length of the structure. The DAS is able to resolve a separate acoustic signal with a spatial resolution of 1 m along the length of the fibre, and hence is able to operate with an acoustic positioning system to determine the position of the riser with the same spatial resolution. In addition, the fiber can at the same time also detect much lower frequency mechanical vibrations in the riser, for example such as resonant mode vibrations induced by movement in the surrounding medium. By using vibration detection in combination with acoustic positioning then overall structure shape monitoring can be undertaken, which is useful for vortex induced vibration (VIV) visualisation, fatigue analysis, and a variety of other advanced purposes. The structure may be a sub-sea riser.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.