Fiber optic acoustic sensor arrays, fiber optic sensing systems and methods of forming and operating the same
AssigneeUS Seismic Systems, Inc.
InventorsEric Lee Goldner, Frederick C. DeMetz
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Abstract
A fiber optic acoustic sensing array. The fiber optic acoustic sensing array includes a core strength member and an optical fiber wound on the core strength member. The optical fiber includes a plurality of Fiber Bragg Gratings, and is coated with a voided plastic coating. An outer jacket covers the optical fiber coated with the voided plastic coating. Also disclosed are fiber optic sensing systems, methods of forming a fiber optic acoustic sensing array, and methods of operating fiber optic sensing systems.
Claims43
A fiber optic acoustic sensing array comprising:
- a core strength member;
- an optical fiber, including a plurality of Fiber Bragg Gratings, being wound on the core strength member, the optical fiber being coated with a voided plastic coating;
- and
- an outer jacket covering the optical fiber coated with the voided plastic coating.
A fiber optic sensing system comprising:
- a optical source;
- a lead cable for receiving optical signals from the optical source;
- a fiber optic acoustic sensing array for receiving optical signals from the lead cable, the fiber optic acoustic sensing array including (a) a core strength member, (b) an optical fiber having a plurality of Fiber Bragg Gratings and being both wound on the core strength member and coated with a voided plastic coating, and (c) an outer jacket covering the optical fiber coated with the voided plastic coating;
- and
- an interrogator receiving optical signals from the fiber optic acoustic sensing array, and for further signal processing.
A method of forming a fiber optic acoustic sensing array, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a core strength member;
- (b) writing a plurality of Fiber Bragg Gratings on an optical fiber;
- (c) providing a voided plastic coating on the optical fiber;
- (d) winding the optical fiber, with the voided plastic coating, on the core strength member;
- and
- (e) covering with an outer jacket the optical fiber coated with the voided plastic coating.
A method of operating a fiber optic sensing system, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an optical signal using an optical source;
- (b) transmitting the optical signal from the optical source to a fiber optic acoustic sensing array, the fiber optic acoustic sensing array including (1) a core strength member and (2) an optical fiber having a plurality of Fiber Bragg Gratings and being both wound on the core strength member and coated with a voided plastic coating, and (3) an outer jacket covering the optical fiber coated with the voided plastic coating;
- and
- (c) receiving and processing optical signals from the fiber optic acoustic sensing array with an interrogator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.