Moog Insensys Limited

Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Insensys Limited

Mark Volanthen

Glynn David Lloyd

Richard Damon Goodman Roberts

Martin Peter William Jones

Robert Allan Angus

Philip Mark Rhead

Glynn Lloyd

A method of operating a spectrometer to determine the wavelength of an optical signal, in particular for determining the resonant wavelength of an optical fiber Bragg grating. The spectrometer comprises an array of photosensitive pixels each of which generates an output signal in response to the intensity of light incident on the pixel, and a refractive element arranged to direct light to a particular position in the array depending on the wavelength of the light. The method involves selecting a first group of pixels in the array by reference to an expected wavelength distribution of the optical signal and monitoring the output signals from the first group of pixels. On the basis of the output signals from the first group of pixels a second group of pixels is selected and the wavelength of the optical signal is determined from the output signals of the second group of pixels. The method has the advantage that the wavelength of the optical signal can be determined without scanning every pixel in the array individually.

Apparatus and method for operating a spectrometer

A curvature sensing devicecomprising, a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensor, a second FBG strain sensor, a flexible piece comprising two end piecesjoined by a tubular mid-section. The devicefurther comprisescontact rollersprovided on the internal surfaces of the end pieces, which maintain the end piecestangential to a pipe around which the deviceis located. The FBG strain sensorsare embedded within the mid-sectionand are arranged in two generally orthogonal planes, so that the curvature is measured in two dimensions. This enables the deviceto detect both the magnitude and direction of bending/curvature within a pipe. Bending in a pipe is transferred through the end piecesto the mid-section. The FBG sensorsmeasure bending of the mid-sectionfrom which bending of the pipe can be inferred.

Elongate structure curvature sensing device

A vibration detector () comprising at least one fiber optic sensor () mechanically coupled to a flexible support member (). The vibration detector () is mounted on the outside of the pipeline and a signal from the fiber optic sensor is measured. This signal is indicative of whether the vibration detector is experiencing vibrations due to collisions of contaminant particles with each other and/or with the walls of the pipeline. A method for detecting particulate contaminants in a fluid flowing in a pipeline is also provided.

Detecting particulate contaminants in a fluid

A system for the structural monitoring of bladeson a wind turbine. Each bladehas respective optical fiber bragg grating sensors. The system has a number of input connectors, which connect to the strain sensorsof respective blades. A single output connector connects to a data processing devicewhich processes signals from the strain sensors. The input connectors each have a signal path to the output connector that is different in length to the signal path from the other input connectors, such that signals from a given bladecan be identified at the data processing deviceby the time of arrival of the signals. The system has the advantage that the each of the blades, including the sensors attached to it or embedded within it can be identical and therefore interchangeable.

Structural monitoring of wind turbine with fibre bragg grating sensors in each blade

Apparatus for interrogating an optical fiber comprising a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings each having a resonant wavelength in a different discrete wavelength band. The apparatus comprises a delay arrangement interposed in use in an optical path for light supplied to and/or reflected from the fiber Bragg gratings. The delay arrangement is configured to apply a different time delay to light in each of the discrete wavelength bands, whereby the light reflected from each of the fiber Bragg gratings is received at an interrogator port of the apparatus in a different discrete time interval.

Apparatus for interrogating fibre Bragg gratings

An optical fiber strain sensor array comprises several sensor support panels spaced in its longitudinal direction and at least one connecting member extending in the longitudinal direction, which mechanically interconnects the sensor support panels. An optical fiber is supported by the sensor support panels and the connecting member. The optical fiber extends with the connecting member between the sensor support panels and forms a curve on the sensor support panel, the curve including at least one portion of the optical fiber that extends in the transverse direction. The width of the connecting member is substantially less than the width of the sensor support panels, such that the connecting member is capable of flexure in the transverse direction. This has the advantage that the connecting member can be flexed to take up any slack during installation of the optical fiber strain sensor array in a wind turbine blade and can be fitted to the turbine blade even if the blade has a conical shape.

Optical fibre sensor array with temperature compensation

A method of monitoring strain on a wind turbine blade that has several structural components comprises locating at least three strain sensors () on one of the structural components of the turbine blade, the positions of the strain sensors defining a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the turbine blade and resolving strain signals from the three strain sensors into strain measurements in two orthogonal directions.

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Romsey, United Kingdom

Mark Volanthen