Pipeline security system
First Claim
1. A security system for an elongated tubular structure, the system comprising:
- a plurality of flexible sheets arranged contiguously along a longitudinal direction of the tubular structure and each configured to circumferentially wrap around an external surface of a respective section of a predetermined length of the structure, to cover the entire area of the respective section of the tubular structure, and each of the sheets having at least one signal path disposed in the sheet and extending across substantially the entire area of the sheet, the at least one signal path having a first end and a second end;
the plurality of contiguous sheets covering the entire area of the predetermined length of the tubular structure;
at least one signal source coupled to the first end of the at least one signal path of each of the plurality of flexible sheets;
at least one detector coupled to the second end of the at least one signal path and operative to detect a signal in the signal path from the first end to the second end, and when a loss of signal is detected, output a first signal, wherein the at least one detector includes a detector for each of the sheets coupled to the at least one signal path of the respective sheet; and
a circuit coupled to the at least one detector and operative to provide an alarm indication upon the occurrence of the first signal,wherein the circuit is coupled to each of the detectors and operative to provide an indication of the identity or location of the respective sheets.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a security system for a pipeline, such as an oil, gas or water pipeline, or other tubular, elongated or other structures used to convey various other liquid, gaseous or fluent materials. The invention is also useful in protecting a tunnel such as a vehicular tunnel. A flexible and wrappable sensor sheet is provided having an optical fiber or electrical wire disposed therein in a zigzag or other pattern which covers substantially the entire area of the sheet. The sensor sheet containing the fiber or wire is wrapped around the outer surface of a pipeline or other structure, and provides a covering of substantially the entire outer surface of a predetermined length of the pipeline. Similar sheets can be employed on adjacent pipeline sections to provide protection of any intended length of the pipeline, which may include the entire effective pipeline length. The individual sensor sheets can be interconnected to provide one continuous optical or electrical path through the adjacent sensor sections for the entire pipeline length or any part thereof. A light or current source is provided at one end of the continuous path to introduce light or current into the path. A light or current detector is coupled to the other end of the path to sense light or electrical current from the path. Alternatively each sensor section can have its own light or current source and its own light or current detector for sensing a signal from the respective paths.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A security system for an elongated tubular structure, the system comprising:
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a plurality of flexible sheets arranged contiguously along a longitudinal direction of the tubular structure and each configured to circumferentially wrap around an external surface of a respective section of a predetermined length of the structure, to cover the entire area of the respective section of the tubular structure, and each of the sheets having at least one signal path disposed in the sheet and extending across substantially the entire area of the sheet, the at least one signal path having a first end and a second end; the plurality of contiguous sheets covering the entire area of the predetermined length of the tubular structure; at least one signal source coupled to the first end of the at least one signal path of each of the plurality of flexible sheets; at least one detector coupled to the second end of the at least one signal path and operative to detect a signal in the signal path from the first end to the second end, and when a loss of signal is detected, output a first signal, wherein the at least one detector includes a detector for each of the sheets coupled to the at least one signal path of the respective sheet; and a circuit coupled to the at least one detector and operative to provide an alarm indication upon the occurrence of the first signal, wherein the circuit is coupled to each of the detectors and operative to provide an indication of the identity or location of the respective sheets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A security system for an elongated tubular structure, the system comprising:
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a plurality of flexible sheets arranged contiguously along a longitudinal direction of the tubular structure and each configured to circumferentially wrap around an external surface of a respective section of a predetermined length of the structure, to cover the entire area of the respective section of the tubular structure, and each of the flexible sheets having a signal path disposed therein and extending across substantially an entire area of the sheet, each signal path having a first end and a second end; the plurality of contiguous sheets covering the entire area of the predetermined length of the tubular structure; a plurality of detectors, each detector coupled to a respective second end of a respective signal path and operative to detect a change in a signal in the respective signal path and to output a first signal indication of a detected change; and a circuit coupled to each of the plurality of detectors and operative to provide an alarm indication upon an occurrence of the first signal, wherein the circuit is further operative to provide an indication of the identity or location of a flexible sheet corresponding to a detector from which the first signal was received. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification