Nova Patents
WO2011103032A4

Optical detection systems and methods of using the same

Abstract

An optical detection system. The optical detection system includes a host node having (a) an optical source for generating optical signals, and (b) an optical receiver. The optical detection system also includes a plurality of fiber optic sensors for converting at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors having: (1) at least one length of optical fiber configured to sense at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy; (2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber; and (3) a field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node.

Term

No projected expiry on record.

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24 claims: 6 independent, 18 dependent

  1. 1
    AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 22 November 2011 (22.11.2011) 1. An optical detection system comprising; a host node including (a) an optical source for generating optical signals, and (b) an optical receiver; and a plurality of fiber optic sensors for converting at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors including:(1) at least one length of optical fiber configured to sense at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy;(2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber;and (3) at least one field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, the field node receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and the field node transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node.
  2. 12
    The optical detection system of claim I wherein the host node is configured to receive and interpret the optical intensity information from the plurality of fiber optic sensors, the host node being configured to (1) collect and save a set of data samples over a specified time window;(2) perform a Fourier Transform on the set of data samples within each time window to generate a series of spectra in time;(3) generate a spectral mask representing a vibration spectrum of a predetermined plurality of events;(4) compare spectra of the optical intensity information received from the plurality of fiber optic sensors to the spectral mask to ascertain whether the received optical intensity information exceeds the spectral mask within a time window.
  3. 15
    A pipeline detection system comprising:a host node in the vicinity of, or remote from, a pipeline to be monitored, the host node including an optical source for generating optical signals, and an optical receiver;and a plurality of fiber optic sensors local to the pipeline to be monitored, the plurality of fiber optic sensors for converting at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors including: (1) at least one length of optical fiber affixed along a portion of the pipeline to sense at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy;(2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber;and (3) a field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, the field node receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and the field node transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node. 16, A mine detection system comprising: a host node remote from a mine to be monitored, the host node including an optical source for generating optical signals, and an optical receiver;and AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) WO 2011/103032 PCT/US2011/024465 a plurality of fiber optic sensors local to the mine to be monitored, the plurality of fiber optic sensors for converting acoustical energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors including: (1) at least one length of optical fiber affixed along a portion of the mine to sense acoustical energy within the mine;(2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber;and (3) a field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, the field node receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and the field node transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node. 17, A fence detection system comprising;a host node in the vicinity of, or remote from, a fence to be monitored, the host node including an optical source for generating optical signals, and an optical receiver;and a plurality of fiber optic sensors mounted along the fence to be monitored, the plurality of fiber optic sensors for converting vibrational energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors including: (1) at least one length of optical fiber affixed along a portion of the fence to sense vibrational energy;(2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber;and (3) a field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, the field node receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and the field node transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) WO 2011/103032 PCT/US2011/024465
  4. 16
    18. An underground detection system comprising:a host node in the vicinity of, or remote from, an underground area to be monitored, the host node including an optical source for generating optical signals, and an optical receiver;and a plurality of fiber optic sensors local to the underground area to be monitored, the plurality of fiber optic sensors for converting vibrational energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors including: (1) at least one length of optical fiber buried along a portion of the perimeter to sense vibrational energy;(2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber;and (3) a field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, the field node receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and the field node transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node.
  5. 17
    19. An underwater detection system comprising:a host node in the vicinity of, or remote from, a body of water to be monitored, the host node including an optical source for generating optical signals, and an optical receiver;and a plurality of fiber optic sensors within or under the body of water to be monitored, the plurality of fiber optic sensors for converting acoustic energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors including: (1) at least one length of optical fiber suspended in the water or buried under the water to sense acoustic AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) WO 2011/103032 PCT/US2011/024465 energy;(2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber;and (3) a field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, the field node receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and the field node transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node.
  6. 18
    20. , A method of operating an optical detection system comprising:(a) storing a plurality of predetermined characteristics of events to be monitored using the optica! detection system in memory;(b) comparing a detected characteristic obtained from the optical detection system to the plurality of predetermined characteristics stored in memory;and (c) determining if there is an acceptable level of matching between the detected characteristic and at least one of the plurality of predetermined characteristics stored in memory.
Independent claims6