Method and system for monitoring smart structures utilizing distributed optical sensors
First Claim
1. An system for monitoring physical parameters distributed in a structure, comprising:
- a. a distributed optical sensing device (30), comprising a fiber optic cable (20,22), deployed proximate a predetermined structure;
b. a light source (18a) operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20,22);
c. a light detection device (18b), operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20,22), for measuring the light received at the light detection device (18b) from the fiber optic cable (20,22); and
d. a data processor (18) operatively connected to the light detection device (18b);
e. wherein the data processor (18) uses light measured at the light detection device (18b) to calculate at least one of the physical parameters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring system and method for monitoring a predetermined set of physical characteristics associated with a structure using the monitoring system. The system is distributed in the structure and comprises a distributed optical sensing device (30), further comprising a fiber optic cable (20, 22); a light source (18a) operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20, 22); a light detection device (18b), operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20, 22), for measuring the light received at the light detection device (18b) from the fiber optic cable (20, 22); and a data processor (18) capable of using the light measured to calculate a predetermined set of physical parameters describing the predetermined set of physical characteristics.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An system for monitoring physical parameters distributed in a structure, comprising:
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a. a distributed optical sensing device (30), comprising a fiber optic cable (20,22), deployed proximate a predetermined structure;
b. a light source (18a) operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20,22);
c. a light detection device (18b), operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20,22), for measuring the light received at the light detection device (18b) from the fiber optic cable (20,22); and
d. a data processor (18) operatively connected to the light detection device (18b);
e. wherein the data processor (18) uses light measured at the light detection device (18b) to calculate at least one of the physical parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10)
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9. The system of claim 9 wherein the distributed optical sensing device (30) is integrated within a downhole component deployed permanently or temporarily in a wellbore (10) to measure physical parameters of a well, drilling of and production from the well, and geological formation parameters.
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11. A method for monitoring a predetermined set of physical characteristics associated with a structure or a process involving the structure, for a monitoring system, distributed in the structure, comprising a distributed optical sensing device (30) further comprising a fiber optic cable (20,22);
- a light source (18a) operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20,22);
a light detection device (18b), operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20,22), for measuring light received at the light detection device (18b) from the fiber optic cable (20,22); and
a data processor (18) capable of using the light measured to calculate a predetermined set of physical parameters describing the predetermined set of physical characteristics, the method comprising;
a. deploying the distributed optical sensing device (30) in the structure;
b. providing light to the distributed optical sensing device (30) from the light source (18a);
c. measuring light from the distributed optical sensing device (30) incident at the light detection device (18b) with the light detection device (18b);
d. using the data processor (18) to substantially simultaneously obtain and continuously monitor a plurality of measurements from the distributed optical sensing device (30) at a plurality of locations along the distributed optical sensing device (30) using the measured light incident at the light detection device (18b); and
e. calculating the predetermined set of physical characteristics for the one or more desired physical parameters using the plurality of measurements. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a light source (18a) operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20,22);
Specification