Method and apparatus for optical sensing
US9541425B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/0025
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides novel apparatus and methods for fast quantitative measurement of perturbation of optical fields transmitted, reflected and/or scattered along a length of an optical fiber. The present invention 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. The present invention offers unique advantages in 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.