US5138153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Distributed fiber-optic sensor with substance selective permeable coating
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
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Filing: 1990-07-13
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Granted: 1992-08-11
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Expires: 2010-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A sensor system comprises a fibe optic cable, or a fiber optic cable covered with a cladding, coated with a membrane that is sensitive to a particular substance to be detected. Contact with the material to be detected causes the membrane's index of refraction (normally less than that of the fiber core) to increase, decreasing the intensity of the light transmitted by the core. The fiber-optic sensor can be used to monitor one or more storage tanks for leakage by placing the fiber cable beneath the surface surrounding the tank(s).
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Gergely
- 👤 F. Monte Evens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/41; G01N21/43; G01N21/431; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/042; G01M3/045; G01M3/047; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N2021/0385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A monitoring system comprising: a light generation means for producing a beam of light; a distributed fiber sensor connected to said light for transmitting said beam of light, said distributed fiber sensor having a fiber optic cable with a substance selective permeable coating said coating only permitting permeation of substances having an index of refraction greater than said fiber optic cable; and light detection means connected to said distributed fiber sensor; sensor associated with said light detection means for receiving said transmitted beam of light and determining the intensity of said transmitted beam of light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A monitoring system comprising: a light generation means for producing a beam of light; a distributed fiber sensor connected to said light for transmitting said beam of light, said distributed fiber sensor having a fiber optic cable with a substance selective permeable coating said coating only permitting permeation of substances having an index of refraction greater than said fiber optic cable; and light detection means connected to said distributed fiber sensor; sensor associated with said light detection means for receiving said transmitted beam of light and determining the intensity of said transmitted beam of light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The monitoring system according got claim 1 wherein said distributed fiber sensor includes a differential absorption fiber optic cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said light generation means includes means for generating light pulses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The monitoring system according to claim 1 wherein said distributed fiber sensor includes a long path absorption fiber optic cable means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The monitoring system according to claim 4 wherein said fiber optic cable includes a retroreflector at one end to reflect said beam of light back toward said light generation means and said light detection means is connected to the same end of said distributed fiber sensor as said light generation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The monitoring system according to claim 5 wherein said fiber optic cable means includes a retro-reflector at one end to reflect said beam of light back toward said light generation means and said light detection means is connected to the same end of said distributed fiber sensor as said light generation means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monitoring system according to claim 5 wherein said light generation means includes means for generating a continuous light beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The monitoring system according to claim 1 wherein said fiber optic cable with a substance selective permeable coating includes a fiber optic cable with a membrane around the fiber core.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The monitoring system according to claim 1 wherein said fiber optic cable with a substance selective permeable coating includes a fiber core covered with a cladding which is coated with a substance selective membrane.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for monitoring substance leakage having a light source and a light detector to detect light intensity, said system comprising: a fiber optic cable means connected between said light source and said detector for transmitting light therebetween; and substance selective means coating said fiber optic cable means for passing preselected substances to affect light transmission through said fiber optic cable means by increasing the index of refraction of said fiber optic cable means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for monitoring substance leakage having a light source and a light detector to detect light intensity, said system comprising: a fiber optic cable means connected between said light source and said detector for transmitting light therebetween; and substance selective means coating said fiber optic cable means for passing preselected substances to affect light transmission through said fiber optic cable means by increasing the index of refraction of said fiber optic cable means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 10 wherein said light source includes means for generating light pulses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 10 wherein said light source includes means for generating light having two distinct wavelengths, each on alternate pulses.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 12 wherein said fiber optic cable means includes a differential absorption fiber optic cable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 10 wherein said light source includes means for generating light having two distinct wavelengths, each on simultaneously emitted pulses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 11 wherein said fiber optic cable means includes a long path absorption fiber optic cable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 15 wherein the fiber optic cable includes a retroreflector at one end to reflect said beam of light back toward said light source and said light detector is located at the same end as said light source.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 15 wherein said light source includes means for generating light pulses.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 15 wherein said light source includes means for generating a continuous light beam.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 10 wherein said fiber optic cable with a substance selective permeable coating includes a fiber optic cable with a membrane around the fiber core.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system for monitoring according to claim 10 wherein said fiber optic cable with a substance selective permeable coating includes a fiber core covered with a cladding which is coated with a substance selective membrane.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for determining substance leaks in a system having a light source, a fiber optic cable and a light intensity detector comprising the steps of: passing light through said fiber optic cable from said light source to said light intensity detector; covering said fiber optic cable with a coating that is selective permeable to said substance; passing said substance through said coating, and increasing the index of refraction for said fiber optic cable whenever said substance passes through said coating.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for determining substance leaks in a system having a light source, a fiber optic cable and a light intensity detector comprising the steps of: passing light through said fiber optic cable from said light source to said light intensity detector; covering said fiber optic cable with a coating that is selective permeable to said substance; passing said substance through said coating, and increasing the index of refraction for said fiber optic cable whenever said substance passes through said coating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 21 wherein said covering said fiber optic cable includes placing a membrane around the core of said fiber optic cable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 21 wherein said covering said fiber optic cable includes placing a cladding which is coated with a substance selective membrane around the core of said fiber optic cable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-02-10 | 1996-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-02-10 | 2000-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-11 | 2004-02-10 | 2004-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |