Distributed optical fibre sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A distributed optical fibre sensor for determining one or more parameters as functions of position along a plurality of sensing optical fibres from properties of probe light backscattered within the sensing optical fibres, the sensor comprising:
- a probe light source arranged to generate probe light pulses each at one of a plurality of optical wavelengths;
a wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer component arranged to receive the probe light pulses from the probe light source and to direct pulses of each wavelength into a different corresponding one of said sensing optical fibres, and to collect probe light backscattered within the sensing optical fibres;
a detector arranged to receive the collected backscattered light and to separately detect light of each of said different wavelengths in said collected backscattered light; and
an analyser arranged to determine said one or more parameters as functions of position along each of the sensing optical fibres from said detected backscattered light of each corresponding wavelength.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is disclosed a distributed optical fiber sensor arranged to deliver probe light pulses of different wavelengths into corresponding different sensing optical fibers, and to determine one or more parameters as functions of position along each of the sensing fibers from detected backscattered light of each corresponding wavelength. In another arrangement, the different wavelengths are directed in different corresponding directions around a loop of sensing optical fiber.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A distributed optical fibre sensor for determining one or more parameters as functions of position along a plurality of sensing optical fibres from properties of probe light backscattered within the sensing optical fibres, the sensor comprising:
-
a probe light source arranged to generate probe light pulses each at one of a plurality of optical wavelengths; a wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer component arranged to receive the probe light pulses from the probe light source and to direct pulses of each wavelength into a different corresponding one of said sensing optical fibres, and to collect probe light backscattered within the sensing optical fibres; a detector arranged to receive the collected backscattered light and to separately detect light of each of said different wavelengths in said collected backscattered light; and an analyser arranged to determine said one or more parameters as functions of position along each of the sensing optical fibres from said detected backscattered light of each corresponding wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of operating a distributed optical fibre sensor to determine one or more parameters as functions of position along a plurality of sensing optical fibres from properties of probe light backscattered within the sensing optical fibres, comprising:
-
operating a probe light source to generate probe light pulses each at one of a plurality of optical wavelengths; coupling the probe light pulses of each wavelength into a different corresponding one of said sensing optical fibres; collecting probe light backscattered within the sensing optical fibres; separately detecting light of each of said different wavelengths in said collected backscattered light; and determining said one or more parameters as functions of position along each of the sensing optical fibres from said detected backscattered light of each corresponding wavelength, wherein the probe light pulses are delivered to the sensing optical fibres and the backscattered probe light is collected and combined from the sensing optical fibres by a wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer component. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification