Sensor array
First Claim
1. A sensor arrangement for monitoring a submarine reservoir, comprising:
- a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensor units adapted to be located over an area of the seabed in the region of the reservoir to be monitored; and
an interrogator for obtaining data on the reservoir from the sensor units, which comprises;
a transmitter unit for sending optical signals to the sensor array, the transmitter unit comprising an optical switch for receiving optical radiation from an optical source and transmitting optical signals generated thereby along an uplink optical fibre, and at least one splitter for splitting the uplink optical fibre into a plurality of optical fibres that extend to the sensor units over the area to be monitored; and
a receiver unit for receiving modulated optical signals from the sensor array in response to the transmitted optical signalsthe receiver unit comprising an optical-to-electrical converter for converting optical signals from each fibre of the sensor array to electrical signals, a phase demodulator, a multiplexer for multiplexing the electrical signals from the phase demodulator, and a signal processing and recording unit for recording the multiplexed signals;
the interrogator being divided into at least one concentrator and an interrogator hub, the concentrator or concentrators including one or more of the splitters and the optical-to-electrical converter, phase demodulator and multiplexer of the receiver unit, and the interrogator hub including the optical source and optical switch of the transmitter unit, and the signal processing and recording unit of the receiver unit, such that the interrogator hub can be located on a platform or on shore, and the or each concentrator can be located on the seabed, at any position underwater, or on the platform at a location separate from the interrogator hub;
the apparatus further including means for transmitting signals from the or each concentrator to the interrogator hub along a single line or wirelessly.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An arrangement for monitoring a submarine reservoir includes a number of sensor units located in an array on the seabed, and an interrogator unit for obtaining data on the reservoir from the sensor units. The interrogator unit includes a transmitter unit for sending optical signals to the sensor array and a receiver unit for receiving modulated optical signals from the array. Optical radiation from an optical source is transmitted along an uplink optical fiber which is split in a number of positions to form the array. The receiver unit includes optical-to-electrical converters for converting the optical signals to electrical signals, a phase demodulator, a multiplexer, a signal processor, and recording unit. The interrogator unit is divided into a concentrator and an interrogator hub, where signals are transmitted between the interrogator hub and concentrator along a riser cable. This enables the interrogator to be moved between a platform and the seabed.
24 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A sensor arrangement for monitoring a submarine reservoir, comprising:
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a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensor units adapted to be located over an area of the seabed in the region of the reservoir to be monitored; and an interrogator for obtaining data on the reservoir from the sensor units, which comprises; a transmitter unit for sending optical signals to the sensor array, the transmitter unit comprising an optical switch for receiving optical radiation from an optical source and transmitting optical signals generated thereby along an uplink optical fibre, and at least one splitter for splitting the uplink optical fibre into a plurality of optical fibres that extend to the sensor units over the area to be monitored; and a receiver unit for receiving modulated optical signals from the sensor array in response to the transmitted optical signals the receiver unit comprising an optical-to-electrical converter for converting optical signals from each fibre of the sensor array to electrical signals, a phase demodulator, a multiplexer for multiplexing the electrical signals from the phase demodulator, and a signal processing and recording unit for recording the multiplexed signals; the interrogator being divided into at least one concentrator and an interrogator hub, the concentrator or concentrators including one or more of the splitters and the optical-to-electrical converter, phase demodulator and multiplexer of the receiver unit, and the interrogator hub including the optical source and optical switch of the transmitter unit, and the signal processing and recording unit of the receiver unit, such that the interrogator hub can be located on a platform or on shore, and the or each concentrator can be located on the seabed, at any position underwater, or on the platform at a location separate from the interrogator hub; the apparatus further including means for transmitting signals from the or each concentrator to the interrogator hub along a single line or wirelessly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21)
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20. A method of monitoring a submarine reservoir in which a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensor units is located over an area of the seabed in the region of the reservoir to be monitored;
- the method comprising obtaining data on the reservoir from the sensor units by;
i. sending optical signals to the sensor array, the optical signals being generated by an optical source and sent along an uplink optical fibre; ii. splitting the optical signal and sending it into a plurality of optical fibres that extend to the sensor units over the area to be monitored; iii. receiving modulated optical signals from the sensor array in response to the transmitted optical signals; iv. converting the received modulated optical signals from each fibre of the sensor array to electrical signals; v. phase demodulating and multiplexing the electrical signals; and vi. signal processing and recording the multiplexed signals; wherein the steps of sending the optical signals, and signal processing and recording the received signals, are performed in an interrogator hub located on a platform or on shore; and wherein the steps of splitting the optical signal, receiving modulated optical signals, converting the modulated optical signals into electrical signals, and phase demodulating and multiplexing the electrical signals are performed in one or more concentrators located on the seabed, at any position underwater, or on the platform at a location separate from the interrogator hub; and the method includes transmitting signals from the or each concentrator to the interrogator hub along a single line or wirelessly.
- the method comprising obtaining data on the reservoir from the sensor units by;
Specification