Method and system for estimating fluid leak flow rates using distributed optical fiber sensors
US8520195B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 2008 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/3537
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A leak detection system and method is provided for a structure having a first barrier to a first fluid and a second barrier to a second fluid, the first barrier and the second barrier defining a space therebetween. The system includes at least one sensor, such as a fiber optic sensor, placed in the space and configured to detect presence of the first fluid or the second fluid in the space due to a fluid leak in the first barrier or the second barrier. The fiber optic sensor may further be configured to measure one or more characteristics of an acoustic emission caused by the leak, and the system and method may be able to estimate the orifice diameter of the fluid leak based on the measured one or more characteristics, and to calculate a leak rate based on the estimated orifice diameter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.