Simultaneous ultrasonic vibration and gas sensing based on a tunable fiber ring laser
Inventors
Lalam, Nageswara Rao • Buric, Michael P. • Lu, Ping • Lu, Fei • Hong, Tao • Wright, Ruishu Feng
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12313540-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-27
Expiration Date
2042-10-17
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Abstract
One or more embodiments relates to a system for simultaneously detecting vibration and the presence of a target gas having a tunable fiber ring laser in electronic and optical communication with a vibration sensor and a gas detection sensor. One or more embodiments relate to a method for simultaneously measuring vibration and detecting the presence of a target gas in an environment having the steps of providing a system for simultaneously measuring vibration and detecting a target gas into an environment; sending an optical signal to a vibration sensor and gas detection sensor; and collecting and analyzing modified signals from the vibration sensor and gas detection sensor.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a sensor system utilizing a tunable fiber ring laser capable of simultaneously detecting vibration and the presence of a target gas. The system integrates a tunable fiber ring laser in electronic and optical communication with both a vibration sensor and a gas detection sensor to measure these parameters concurrently. This sensor is suitable for deployment on or near gas infrastructure, such as natural gas or CO2 pipelines, allowing for continuous, in-situ monitoring in harsh environments.
The system features a single fiber optic interrogator using a laser ring cavity with a secondary fiber loop whose diameter or strain can be adjusted via a translation stage to tune the output wavelength. The vibration sensor comprises a multimode fiber section spliced between single-mode fibers within the ring cavity, sensitive to vibration-induced strain causing modulations in the transmitted optical spectrum. The gas detection sensor consists of a coreless fiber coated with a gas sensing material, such as tetraethoxysilane, whose optical properties vary in response to target gases. Both sensors produce modified optical signals in response to their respective stimuli, which are collected and analyzed simultaneously.
The invention solves the need for a low-cost, reliable, and robust sensor system capable of simultaneous vibration and gas detection using a single fiber ring laser interrogator. Existing solutions require separate, costly equipment for each sensing modality, increasing complexity and expense. Moreover, prior fiber optic vibration sensors such as fiber Bragg gratings or interferometers are complex to fabricate and exhibit low sensitivity and slow response times unsuitable for dynamic environments. The present invention addresses these drawbacks, providing improved signal-to-noise ratio, tunable wavelength output, and sensitivity to vibration frequencies from approximately 10 Hz up to 400 kHz, enabling enhanced monitoring capabilities relevant to gas pipeline health and safety.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent method claim that focuses on the main inventive features of a system and method for simultaneous sensing of vibration and target gas using a tunable ring laser interrogator.
Simultaneous measurement using a tunable ring laser system
Providing a tunable ring laser system in electronic and optical communication with both a vibration sensor and a gas detection sensor, enabling concurrent data acquisition.
Simultaneous optical signal transmission and modified signal emission
Sending an optical signal from the tunable ring laser to the vibration and gas detection sensors wherein the sensors emit modified signals that differ from the original laser signal based on incident vibration and target gas presence, respectively.
Simultaneous collection and analysis of modified sensor signals
Collecting and analyzing the modified signals from vibration and gas detection sensors to determine the levels of vibration and target gas present in the environment simultaneously.
The claims cover a method for simultaneous and continuous monitoring of vibration and target gases using a single tunable ring laser interrogator system that transmits light to separate vibration and gas sensors and analyzes their respective modified output signals to provide concurrent environmental measurements.
Stated Advantages
Provides a simple, low-cost fiber optic interrogator capable of simultaneous vibration and gas sensing, reducing system complexity and expense compared to prior systems requiring separate interrogators.
Enables continuous, in-situ, and remote monitoring suitable for harsh environments such as gas pipeline infrastructure.
Offers improved sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio due to the laser ring cavity configuration and tunability of output wavelength, allowing selective gas detection at specific absorption wavelengths.
Facilitates simultaneous multi-parameter sensing which delivers enhanced measurement accuracy and comprehensive pipeline condition assessment.
Documented Applications
Structural health monitoring and leak detection for natural gas, CO2, and other gas transportation pipelines.
Monitoring corrosion in pipelines via gas species such as CO2 and water vapor.
Applications in gas turbines, aviation fuel tanks, supercritical CO2 power plants, wellbore integrity, CO2 sequestration and separation equipment, aeronautics, compressed gas processing, and dry-ice manufacturing.
Real-time production flow monitoring, power plants, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and healthcare.
Deployment both inside and outside pipelines for dynamic vibration and gas concentration monitoring at high-risk locations.
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