Fiber optic pipeline monitoring systems and methods of using the same
US9201161B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V8/24
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical detection system for monitoring a pipeline. The optical detection system includes a host node in the vicinity of, or remote from, a pipeline to be monitored. The optical detection system includes (a) an optical source for generating optical signals, and (b) an optical receiver. The optical detection system also includes a plurality of fiber optic sensors local to the pipeline for converting at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors having: (1) at least one length of optical fiber configured to sense at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy; (2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber; and (3) a field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.