At+t Corp.

AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP

Other

John Sinclair Huffman

Hossein Eslambolchi

Michael Belew

Harold Jeffrey Stewart

John K Boland

James Francis Kirkpatrick

Michael L Asher

Chuck Giddens

David M Roberts

Patricia J Boggs

Leon B Dent

Claywell D Turley

Charles Giddens

Peter S Cornell

Connie H Barnes

Gerald Frank Laszakovits

Linard H Miller

Ronald L Sims

Randall G Scholz

Christopher Giles

Frank Ianna

John D Brandt

Christopher D Collier

Lenny J Vohs

Robert K McConkey

Bradley Tihinen

Walter F Boles, Jr

Gene Geren

A long-distance fiber optic monitoring system having a sensing unit and an analyzer that is remotely located from the sensing unit is provided. The sensing unit comprises a source of optical energy for injecting optical energy into the fiber optical cable and an optical detector configured to detect an optical return signal from the optical fiber. The detected optical return signal is associated with an acoustic signal impinging on the optical fiber. The analyzer receives a signal from the remote sensing unit via the optical fiber that is representative of the optical return signal, and determines a location of a disturbance based at least on the received signal. The representative signal can be transmitted from the remote sensing unit to the analyzer as an optical signal or via a metallic wired included with the optical fiber.

Long distance optical fiber sensing system and method

A system and method for monitoring the structural integrity of a structure is provided. An optical fiber is acoustically coupled to one or more of the structural elements. A source of optical energy is configured to inject optical energy into the optical fiber, and an optical detector is configured to detect a first optical return signal having characteristics that are affected by vibrations of the structural elements. An analyzer measures characteristics of the optical return signal to determine information concerning the movement of the structural elements monitored by the fiber optic cable. The results of the analyzer can be stored and so that the analysis of the optical return signal can be compared to previously recorded signals to determine changes in structural integrity over time. Multiple fibers can be acoustically coupled to the monitored structural elements to obtain additional data concerning the structural integrity.

Optical fiber structure monitoring and analysis

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fiber surveillance system for monitoring a pipeline is provided. The surveillance system includes an optical fiber acoustically coupled to the pipeline to detect acoustic signals associated with vibrations or other activity near or from the pipeline. Optical energy is injected into the optical fiber and an optical detector receives an optical return-signal having certain characteristics resulting from vibrations impinging on the optical fiber. An analyzer is configured to determine operating information about the pipeline based on the optical return-signal. Two or more fibers can be acoustically coupled to the pipeline and arranged in varying configurations to yield greater resolution.

Optical fiber pipeline monitoring system and method

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed technology, a fiber surveillance system includes a single optical fiber, used, for example, in the detection of acoustic signals associated with vibrations or other activity. In one embodiment of the disclosed technology, the fiber is arranged in a two dimensional topology to improve the spatial resolution of the system. With such a topology the spatial monitoring resolution of the surveillance system is significantly improved over systems in which the fiber is deployed in an essentially straight line topology. In a further embodiment of the disclosed technology, two or more such oriented fibers are juxtaposed or overlapped to yield even greater resolution.

Optical fiber surveillance topology

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology, wireless communications are used in a fiber surveillance system to enable monitoring of remote locations for vibrations, acoustic signals, stresses, stress fatigue or other detectable characteristics. A fiber that is deployed in the structure or region being monitored is connected a wireless transmitter that is used to transmit, to a receiving system, return optical signals obtained with the surveillance system. The return signals can be transmitted in raw form or after partial or total analysis.

Remote optical fiber surveillance system and method

A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in fiber optic signature recognition to analyze buried optical fiber to identify a non-threat area along a fiber route and to discontinue monitoring for disturbances along that area of the cable route. The technique includes determining the location of the zone of non-threatening disturbances from comparing an optical signal to the representation of a prearranged optical signal identified as friendly. Once a zone of non-threatening disturbances is identified, all subsequent disturbances in that zone are considered friendly. Cable monitoring is discontinued in the identified zone of non-threatening disturbances so as to avoid monitoring fiber cable when permitted workers are in the area.

Method and apparatus for fiber optic signature recognition

A cable marker pole system is described for marking the location of buried utility cabling. The cable marker pole system includes a base for embedding in earth or concrete, and a two-part pole assembly that couples with the base. The two-part pole assembly includes a spring coupling the two pole members to allow the pole assembly to flex if struck. A sign is attached to the top of the pole assembly to indicate what is buried.

Replacement cable marker pole having rotatable collar for attachment of pole to base

Disclosed is a method and apparatus which provides for alerting of potential fiber optic cable intrusion. A stress detector located at a fiber optic cable termination point detects stress on the fiber optic cable and generates an alarm signal in response to the stress detection. The alarm signal is transmitted to remote alarm units along the fiber optic right of way via a conductive metallic portion of the fiber optic cable (e.g., the fiber optic cable sheath). In response to receipt of an alarm signal, the alarm units initiate a perceptible (e.g., audible and/or visible) alarm. The stress detector may also determine a location of the stress, and generate an alarm signal addressed to a particular one or more alarm units in the vicinity of the stress location.

Local area warning of optical fiber intrusion

The present invention relates to a method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a whether a reference trace is valid by comparing that trace to a more recent test trace. The reference trace may be replaced or an alarm may be transmitted under certain conditions.

Application of statistical inference to optical time domain reflectometer data

A duct mapping tool comprises a sonde for transmitting a locate signal detectable above the ground and locomotion means for providing movement through the underground duct. A user above the ground detects the transmitted location signal using a signal receiver, and maps the location of the underground duct. In one embodiment, a GPS receiver generates location data at locations associated with the received location signal. The GPS generated location data may be used in conjunction with appropriate mapping software to generate street level maps of underground ducts. Locomotion can be provided in a variety of ways, such as a flexible rod attached to the duct mapping tool and operated by a technician, air motors, or electric motors. Movement control signals may be sent to the underground duct mapping tool via a remote device controlled by a technician.

Duct mapping device using sonde

Growing community of inventors

Conyers, GA, United States of America

John Sinclair Huffman