Abstract:
A sweep sensor may include a signal source, a propagation medium, and a detector. By transmitting an interrogating signal from the signal source into the propagation medium, detectable disturbances along the medium can physically alter the characteristics of the medium, which may cause a measurable change in the backscattered signal at the detector. Based on the change, it may be possible to locate the geographic origins of the physical disturbances along the propagation medium, or to determine the nature of the disturbances, or both. For example, it is generally possible to estimate the approximate distance between the detector and the disturbance given the time required to obtain the backscattered signal and the velocity of the signal source in the propagation medium. Further, in some embodiments, it is possible to quantify the amount of disturbance.
Abstract:
A sensor for detecting material degradation may include an optical fiber and a housing through which the optical fiber extends. An end cap may be affixed to an end of the housing. Light provided through the optical fiber may be reflected off of the end cap back through the optical fiber. The end cap may be made of a material of interest, and may be situated in an environment wherein the material of interest is present. A light source may provide input light through the optical fiber. A portion of the input light may be reflected off of the end cap. A light receptor may receive the reflected light via the optical fiber. A processing unit may be adapted to compare a measured intensity of the reflected light to a threshold, and to initiate an alarm condition if the measured intensity is below the threshold.
Abstract:
Distributed fiber optic chemical and physical sensors provide a relatively highly uniform response over the length of the fiber by, for example, varying such properties as the core/cladding index of refraction ratio to compensate for the non-linearity in sensitivity due to the loss of higher order modes in multi-mode fibers. The variation of the ratio changes the absorption coefficient of the fiber and can be used to compensate for any non-linearity in response. Other techniques for compensation also are disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an optical fibre for use in a system for detection of one or more compounds in a fluid. The optical fibre (100, 101, 202) comprising at least two binding portions (102, 104, 118, 210, 211, 212) separated from each other along the longitudinal direction (106) of the optical fibre (100, 101, 202), wherein each of the at least two binding portions (102, 104, 118, 210, 211, 212) comprises a plasmonic structure (120) and/or a SERS structure (121), and a binding material (126) for binding of one or more compounds, wherein at least two binding portions (102, 104, 118, 210, 211, 212) are arranged for binding the same compound or compounds, wherein the optical fibre (100, 101, 202) is arranged for receiving light and transmitting light to each of the at least two binding portions, wherein each of the at least two binding portions (102, 104, 118, 210, 211, 212 ) is arranged such that light transmitted through that binding portion (102, 104, 118, 210, 211, 212) without bound compound is different compared to light transmitted through that binding portion (102, 104, 118, 210, 211, 212) with bound compound, or light reflected back from that binding portion (102, 104, 118, 210, 211, 212) without bound compound is different compared to light reflected back from that binding portion (102, 104, 118, 210, 211, 212) with bound compound. The present invention further relates to a system (200) for detection of one or more compounds in a fluid (103) and an optical fibre (100, 101, 202) for use in such a system (200) and a method (400) using the system (200).
Abstract:
A distributed optical fiber gas sensing system (100) based on evanescent field sensing, spatially resolved along the fiber (105, 200, 300) and obtained by employing differential absorption lidar techniques is described. The fiber (105, 200, 300) can be arranged in a plurality of ways, and could have a porous cladding (202) sensing fiber (105, 200, 300) as the sensing unit. The sensing fiber (105, 200, 300) has a solid core (201) to guide light and a porous cladding (202) to protect the fiber (105, 200, 300) from physical damage and to enlarge the interface of the evanescent field and the test gas. A pulsed or modulated laser (103), a 3-dB optical coupler (104) and a photomultiplier tube (PMT) (107) form a typical OTDR sensing system. The pulse generator (102) is to control the pulse width, period, duty cycle of the pulsed laser (103). The data acquisition card (106) is to record the amplitude of the reflected light detected by the PMT (107). The controller (101) which usually is a computer is for signal recording and system synchronizing.
Abstract:
In harsh and hazardous environments, the presence of elevated levels of hydrogen gas is an indicator of chemical and/or radiological activity. The present hydrogen-sensing optical fiber provides rapid and reliable hydrogen detection and quantification, irrespective of temperature fluctuations. The hydrogen-sensing optical fiber does not exhibit significant irreversible hydrogen-induced attenuation losses after exposure to a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
Abstract:
A sweep sensor may include a signal source, a propagation medium, and a detector. By transmitting an interrogating signal from the signal source into the propagation medium, detectable disturbances along the medium can physically alter the characteristics of the medium, which may cause a measureable change in the backscattered signal at the detector. Based on the change, it may be possible to locate the geographic origins of the physical disturbances along the propagation medium, or to determine the nature of the disturbances, or both. For example, it is generally possible to estimate the approximate distance between the detector and the disturbance given the time required to obtain the backscattered signal and the velocity of the signal source in the propagation medium. Further, in some embodiments, it is possible to quantify the amount of disturbance.
Abstract:
In harsh and hazardous environments, the presence of elevated levels of hydrogen gas is an indicator of chemical and/or radiological activity. The present hydrogen-sensing optical fiber provides rapid and reliable hydrogen detection and quantification, irrespective of temperature fluctuations. The hydrogen-sensing optical fiber does not exhibit significant irreversible hydrogen-induced attenuation losses after exposure to a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
Abstract:
Distributed fiber optic chemical and physical sensors provide a relatively highly uniform response over the length of the fiber by, for example, varying such properties as the core/cladding index of refraction ratio to compensate for the non-linearity in sensitivity due to the loss of higher order modes in multi-mode fibers. The variation of the ratio changes the absorption coefficient of the fiber and can be used to compensate for any non-linearity in response. Other techniques for compensation also are disclosed.