Abstract

A containment system for installation internally along a conduit, for co-locating at least one sensing element and one or more communication media within the conduit, the containment system comprising: an elongate flexible body mountable on a wall of the conduit to extend longitudinally along the conduit, the body including: an elongate sensor cavity, extending longitudinally along the body, for receiving the at least one sensing element; and a shield portion including one or more elongate channels, extending longitudinally along the shield portion, each channel for receiving one or inure communication media.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01F 1/002 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow wherein the flow is in an open channel
• G01F 1/661 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters using light
• G01F 15/14 - Casings, e.g. of special material
• G02B 6/44 - Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
• G02B 6/50 - Underground or underwater installationInstallation through tubing, conduits or ducts
• H02G 1/08 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling
• H02G 9/06 - Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water in underground tubes or conduitsTubes or conduits therefor

Abstract

An apparatus for producing strain in an optical fibre proportional to dynamic pressure fluctuation in the surrounding substance. The apparatus includes a diaphragm having a first face that, in use, is exposed to dynamic pressure fluctuations in the substance, and a second, opposite face, the diaphragm being adapted to flex in response to dynamic pressure fluctuations applied to it. One or more optical fibres are mounted on either the first or the second face of the diaphragm, whereby strain is produced in the fibre when the diaphragm flexes.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01L 7/08 - Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges of the flexible-diaphragm type
• G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
• G01L 23/16 - Devices or apparatus for measuring or indicating or recording rapid changes, such as oscillations, in the pressure of steam, gas, or liquidIndicators for determining work or energy of steam, internal-combustion, or other fluid-pressure engines from the condition of the working fluid operated electrically by photoelectric means
• G01H 9/00 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by using radiation-sensitive means, e.g. optical means
• G01L 11/02 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group or by optical means

Abstract

A containment system for installation internally along a conduit, for co-locating at least one sensing element and one or more communication media within the conduit, the containment system comprising: an elongate flexible body mountable on a wall of the conduit to extend longitudinally along the conduit, the body including: an elongate sensor cavity, extending longitudinally along the body, for receiving the at least one sensing element; and a shield portion including one or more elongate channels, extending longitudinally along the shield portion, each channel for receiving one or more communication media.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01F 1/00 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
• G01F 1/66 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
• G01F 15/14 - Casings, e.g. of special material
• G02B 6/44 - Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
• G02B 6/50 - Underground or underwater installationInstallation through tubing, conduits or ducts

Abstract

An apparatus for producing strain in an optical fibre proportional to dynamic pressure fluctuation in the surrounding substance. The apparatus includes a diaphragm having a first face that, in use, is exposed to dynamic pressure fluctuations in the substance, and a second, opposite face, the diaphragm being adapted to flex in response to dynamic pressure fluctuations applied to it. One or more optical fibres are mounted on either the first or the second face of the diaphragm, whereby strain is produced in the fibre when the diaphragm flexes.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01L 7/10 - Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges of the capsule type
• G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring fluid flow in an open channel system, using an optical fibre that extends along at least a portion of the open channel system within the channel below the surface of the fluid. The method comprising sending light pulses into the sensor optical fibre, receiving backscattered light from the sensor optical fibre, and analysing properties of the backscattered light to obtain data representing strain along the sensor fibre. The strain data can be processed to derive information about the fluid flow, such as fluid depth, flow velocity and flow volume. A containment system for the optical fibre sensor may be included to protect the fibre and convert the pressure of a fluid in the open channel to a strain in the fibre. The temperature of the fluid may also be measured and temperature compensation of the measured strain carried out. The system is particularly applicable to sewers, drains, culverts or levees, with the optical fibre sensor installed axially at the bottom of the channel.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01P 3/36 - Devices characterised by the use of optical means, e.g. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
• G01F 1/66 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
• G01L 11/02 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group or by optical means
• G01F 1/00 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
• G01L 1/24 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis
• G01F 15/02 - Compensating or correcting for variations in pressure, density, or temperature
• G01F 1/708 - Measuring the time taken to traverse a fixed distance
• G01F 23/292 - Light
• G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring fluid flow in an open channel system, using an optical fibre that extends along at least a portion of the open channel system within the channel below the surface of the fluid. The method comprising sending light pulses into the sensor optical fibre, receiving backscattered light from the sensor optical fibre, and analysing properties of the backscattered light to obtain data representing strain along the sensor fibre. The strain data can be processed to derive information about the fluid flow, such as fluid depth, flow velocity and flow volume. A containment system for the optical fibre sensor may be included to protect the fibre and convert the pressure of a fluid in the open channel to a strain in the fibre. The temperature of the fluid may also be measured and temperature compensation of the measured strain carried out. The system is particularly applicable to sewers, drains, culverts or levees, with the optical fibre sensor installed axially at the bottom of the channel.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01F 1/00 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
• G01F 1/66 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
• G01F 1/708 - Measuring the time taken to traverse a fixed distance
• G01F 15/02 - Compensating or correcting for variations in pressure, density, or temperature
• G01L 11/02 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group or by optical means
• G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring fluid flow in an open channel system, using an optical fibre that extends along at least a portion of the open channel system within the channel below the surface of the fluid. The method comprising sending light pulses into the sensor optical fibre, receiving backscattered light from the sensor optical fibre, and analysing properties of the backscattered light to obtain data representing strain along the sensor fibre. The strain data can be processed to derive information about the fluid flow, such as fluid depth, flow velocity and flow volume. A containment system for the optical fibre sensor may be included to protect the fibre and convert the pressure of a fluid in the open channel to a strain in the fibre. The temperature of the fluid may also be measured and temperature compensation of the measured strain carried out. The system is particularly applicable to sewers, drains, culverts or levees, with the optical fibre sensor installed axially at the bottom of the channel.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01B 11/16 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge
• G01F 1/002 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow wherein the flow is in an open channel
• G01F 1/05 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects
• G01F 1/34 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects by measuring pressure or differential pressure
• G01P 5/02 - Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air streamMeasuring speed of bodies relative to fluids, e.g. of ship, of aircraft by measuring forces exerted by the fluid on solid bodies, e.g. anemometer

Goods & Services

Scientific, surveying, photographic, optical, measuring, signalling, checking [supervision] apparatus and instruments in relation to sanitation infrastructures and fibre optic installations; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of images; data processing equipment; computer software; optical cables; fibre optics; optical fibres; fibre optic cables; optical fibre cables; fibre optic panels; optical sensors; optical fibre sensors; fibre optic couplings; fibre optic receptors; fibre optic periscopes; fibre optic cables; nonlinear optical fibres; sheaths for fibre optic cable; junctions sleeves for fibre optics; fibre optic viewers [not for medical purposes]; optical viewing screens; optical transmitters for use with fibre optic cables; fibres for the transmission of images; optical fibre temperature probes, other than for medical use; optical data carriers; optical electronic components; optical inspection apparatus for industrial use; optical measuring components; water leakage detection alarms; water level indicators; water level detection apparatus; liquid level monitoring apparatus; water temperature gauges; visual monitoring apparatus. Installation, repair and maintenance of fibre optic cables; installation, repair and maintenance of optical sensors; application of sheathing to optical fibres; repair of optical instruments; repair or maintenance of optical machines and instruments; providing information relating to the repair or maintenance of optical machines and instruments; installation, repair and maintenance of pipework; advisory services for pipe laying; beneath ground construction work relating to pipework; beneath ground construction work relating to water supply pipes; beneath ground construction work relating to plumbing; installation of pipe systems for conducting of liquids; renovation of underground pipes; pipeline construction and maintenance; pipeline installation and repair; servicing of pipelines; maintenance and repair of pipeline systems; sewer pipe servicing; sewer pipe renovation; sewer pipe cleaning; sewer pipe maintenance installation of water pipelines; cleaning of water supply pipework; cleaning of water supply plumbing; emergency servicing of water supply apparatus; maintenance and repair of pipes used in industrial equipment; beneath ground construction work relating to gas supply pipes; emergency servicing of gas supply apparatus; information, advice and consultancy relating to all the aforesaid services. Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto with respect to fibre optics and optical apparatus and instruments; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software for use with fibre optics; design of pipelines; pipeline inspection services; design of optical and micro-optical components; custom design and engineering of fibre optics; water analysis; technical design and planning of pipelines for gas, water and waste water; water quality control services; environmental monitoring services through use of fibre optics; monitoring of water quality through use of fibre optics; environmental testing services to detect contaminants in water; technical design and planning of sewerage systems; environmental monitoring of waste storage areas through use of fibre optics; environmental monitoring of waste treatment areas through use of fibre optics; information, advice and consultancy relating to all the aforesaid services.

Goods & Services

Scientific, surveying, photographic, optical, measuring, signalling, checking [supervision] apparatus and instruments in relation to sanitation infrastructures and fibre optic installations; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of images; data processing equipment; computer software; optical cables; fibre optics; optical fibres; fibre optic cables; optical fibre cables; fibre optic panels; optical sensors; optical fibre sensors; fibre optic couplings; fibre optic receptors; fibre optic periscopes; fibre optic cables; nonlinear optical fibres; sheaths for fibre optic cable; junctions sleeves for fibre optics; fibre optic viewers [not for medical purposes]; optical viewing screens; optical transmitters for use with fibre optic cables; fibres for the transmission of images; optical fibre temperature probes, other than for medical use; optical data carriers; optical electronic components; optical inspection apparatus for industrial use; optical measuring components; water leakage detection alarms; water level indicators; water level detection apparatus; liquid level monitoring apparatus; water temperature gauges; visual monitoring apparatus. Installation, repair and maintenance of fibre optic cables; installation, repair and maintenance of optical sensors; application of sheathing to optical fibres; repair of optical instruments; repair or maintenance of optical machines and instruments; providing information relating to the repair or maintenance of optical machines and instruments; installation, repair and maintenance of pipework; advisory services for pipe laying; beneath ground construction work relating to pipework; beneath ground construction work relating to water supply pipes; beneath ground construction work relating to plumbing; installation of pipe systems for conducting of liquids; renovation of underground pipes; pipeline construction and maintenance; pipeline installation and repair; servicing of pipelines; maintenance and repair of pipeline systems; sewer pipe servicing; sewer pipe renovation; sewer pipe cleaning; sewer pipe maintenance installation of water pipelines; cleaning of water supply pipework; cleaning of water supply plumbing; emergency servicing of water supply apparatus; maintenance and repair of pipes used in industrial equipment; beneath ground construction work relating to gas supply pipes; emergency servicing of gas supply apparatus; information, advice and consultancy relating to all the aforesaid services. Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto with respect to fibre optics and optical apparatus and instruments; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software for use with fibre optics; design of pipelines; pipeline inspection services; design of optical and micro-optical components; custom design and engineering of fibre optics; water analysis; technical design and planning of pipelines for gas, water and waste water; water quality control services; environmental monitoring services through use of fibre optics; monitoring of water quality through use of fibre optics; environmental testing services to detect contaminants in water; technical design and planning of sewerage systems; environmental monitoring of waste storage areas through use of fibre optics; environmental monitoring of waste treatment areas through use of fibre optics; information, advice and consultancy relating to all the aforesaid services.