Multi-parameter sensing optical cable
By setting strain, vibration and temperature sensing units in the optical cable and using high thermal conductivity materials and metal materials, the problem of low optical cable detection sensitivity is solved, multi-parameter detection and rapid response are achieved, and the safety and anti-crushing ability of the optical cable are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521580177.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-12
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-07-28
AI Technical Summary
In existing optical cable settings, the vibration sensing unit is covered by the armor layer and sheath structure, resulting in reduced detection sensitivity and inability to effectively detect tiny strain and vibration signals. In addition, the excess length of the optical fiber affects the signal detection sensitivity.
A multi-parameter sensing optical cable is designed, including strain, vibration and temperature sensing units. By setting a first reinforcement layer and an outer sheath, the vibration and temperature sensing units are respectively arranged around and at intervals. High thermal conductivity materials and metal materials are used to improve the response speed, and the tensile and compressive resistance of the optical cable are enhanced by reinforcement members.
It realizes multi-parameter detection of optical cable strain, vibration and temperature, improves detection sensitivity and response speed, enhances the safety and anti-crushing ability of optical cables, and is suitable for safe operation under harsh geological conditions.
Smart Images
Figure CN223333194U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the field of optical cable technology, and in particular to a multi-parameter sensing optical cable. Background Art
[0002] Oil and gas pipelines typically use distributed fiber optic sensing technology to monitor acoustic / vibration signals and strain levels around the pipeline in real time, using fiber optic cables along their length. However, the vibration sensing units installed in existing fiber optic cables are covered by the cable's armor and sheath, which weakens the sensing units' sensitivity to vibration signals and reduces the cable's signal detection sensitivity. Furthermore, due to excess fiber length, even small strains in the cable cannot be detected. Utility Model Content
[0003] The present application provides a multi-parameter sensing optical cable to solve the problem of weak sensitivity of signal detection of optical cables in the prior art.
[0004] The present application provides a multi-parameter sensing optical cable, comprising a strain sensing unit, a first reinforcement layer, a vibration sensing unit, a temperature sensing unit, and an outer sheath; the first reinforcement layer is arranged around the periphery of the strain sensing unit; the vibration sensing unit is arranged within the first reinforcement layer; the temperature sensing unit is arranged within the first reinforcement layer, and the temperature sensing unit and the vibration sensing unit are spaced apart along the circumference of the first reinforcement layer; and the outer sheath is arranged around the periphery of the first reinforcement layer.
[0005] In a possible implementation, the first reinforcement layer includes a plurality of first reinforcement members, and the plurality of first reinforcement members are arranged around the periphery of the strain sensing unit;
[0006] Two adjacent first reinforcement members among the plurality of first reinforcement members are spaced apart to form a first gap, and the vibration sensing unit is located in the first gap;
[0007] Another two adjacent first reinforcement members among the plurality of first reinforcement members are spaced apart to form a second gap, and the temperature sensing unit is located in the second gap.
[0008] In a possible implementation, another two adjacent first reinforcement members among the plurality of first reinforcement members are spaced apart to form a third gap, and the multi-parameter sensing optical cable further includes a communication unit, which is located in the third gap.
[0009] In a possible implementation, a first reinforcement layer is disposed at intervals around the circumference of the strain sensing unit, and the multi-parameter sensing optical cable further includes a second reinforcement layer located between the strain sensing unit and the first reinforcement layer.
[0010] In one possible embodiment, the second reinforcement layer includes a plurality of second reinforcement members, and the plurality of second reinforcement members are arranged around the periphery of the strain sensing unit, and the twisting direction of the plurality of first reinforcement members, the vibration sensing unit, and the temperature sensing unit is opposite to the twisting direction of the plurality of second reinforcement members.
[0011] In a possible implementation, the strain sensing unit includes a first optical fiber, a first tight cladding layer, and a first sheath layer, which are sequentially arranged from the inside to the outside. The excess fiber length of the first optical fiber is zero.
[0012] In a possible implementation, the vibration sensing unit includes a second optical fiber, a second tight cladding layer, a spiral tube, a braided layer, and a second sheath layer, which are arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside.
[0013] In a possible embodiment, the temperature sensing unit includes a third sheath layer, a third optical fiber and a fourth optical fiber, the third optical fiber and the fourth optical fiber are arranged in the third sheath layer, the third optical fiber is set as a single-mode optical fiber, and the fourth optical fiber is set as a multi-mode optical fiber.
[0014] In a possible implementation manner, the third optical fiber of the temperature sensing unit is looped with the first optical fiber of the strain sensing unit to form a link structure.
[0015] In a possible implementation, the first reinforcement includes a plurality of metal ropes, the metal ropes include a plurality of metal wires, and the diameter of the metal wires is 0.1 to 0.3 mm.
[0016] The multi-parameter sensing optical cable of this application detects cable strain by providing a strain sensing unit, external vibration by providing a vibration sensing unit, and temperature changes by providing a temperature sensing unit. This allows for multi-parameter detection of the optical cable, ensuring a safe operating environment for the cable. Furthermore, the vibration and temperature sensing units are located outside the strain sensing unit, enabling them to respond more quickly to external vibration and temperature changes, thereby increasing detection sensitivity and enhancing the safety of the optical cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a strain sensing unit of a multi-parameter sensing optical cable of the present application in one embodiment.
[0019] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the first reinforcement member of the multi-parameter sensing optical cable of the present application in one embodiment.
[0020] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the first reinforcement member of the multi-parameter sensing optical cable of the present application in another embodiment.
[0021] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a vibration sensing unit of a multi-parameter sensing optical cable of the present application in one embodiment.
[0022] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a temperature sensing unit of a multi-parameter sensing optical cable of the present application in one embodiment.
[0023] Explanation of the main component symbols: 100, multi-parameter sensing optical cable; 1, strain sensing unit; 101, first optical fiber; 102, first tight cladding layer; 103, first sheath layer; 2, vibration sensing unit; 201, second optical fiber; 202, second tight cladding layer; 203, spiral tube; 204, braided layer; 205, second sheath layer; 206, water-blocking yarn; 3, temperature sensing unit; 301, third optical fiber; 302, fourth optical fiber; 303, third sheath layer; 304, fiber paste; 4, second reinforcement layer; 401, second reinforcement member; 5, first reinforcement layer; 501, first reinforcement member; 5011, metal rope; 50110, metal wire; 502, first gap; 503, second gap; 504, third gap; 6, outer sheath; 7, communication unit.
[0024] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following description will refer to the accompanying drawings to more fully describe the contents of this application. Illustrated in the accompanying drawings are exemplary embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. These exemplary embodiments are provided to make this application thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of this application to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals represent the same or similar components.
[0026] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific exemplary embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well. In addition, when used herein, "includes" and / or "comprising" and / or "having" integers, steps, operations, components and / or components do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, components and / or groups thereof.
[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. In addition, unless explicitly defined herein, terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant art and the context of this application, and will not be interpreted as idealized or overly formal meanings.
[0028] The specific implementation methods of the present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a multi-parameter sensing optical cable 100, including a strain sensing unit 1, a first reinforcement layer 5, a vibration sensing unit 2, a temperature sensing unit 3, and an outer sheath 6. The first reinforcement layer 5 is arranged around the outer circumference of the strain sensing unit 1. The vibration sensing unit 2 is arranged within the first reinforcement layer 5, and the temperature sensing unit 3 is arranged within the first reinforcement layer 5. Along the circumference of the first reinforcement layer 5, the temperature sensing unit 3 and the vibration sensing unit 2 are spaced apart. The outer sheath 6 is arranged around the outer circumference of the first reinforcement layer 5. The outer sheath 6 can be made of a high thermal conductivity material, such as a high thermal conductivity polyethylene material, whose thermal conductivity coefficient is not less than 1.5 W / (m·K).
[0030] In this way, the multi-parameter sensing optical cable 100 of the present application detects the strain of the optical cable by setting up a strain sensing unit 1, detects the external vibration by setting up a vibration sensing unit 2, and detects the temperature change of the optical cable by setting up a temperature sensing unit 3, thereby realizing multi-parameter detection of the optical cable. It can realize real-time monitoring of the small strain of the optical cable caused by geological changes such as ground collapse, geological settlement, landslide, mudslide, etc. around the pipeline, and the sound waves / vibration or temperature changes caused by pipeline leakage and external damage, thereby providing protection for the safe operation of the pipeline. In addition, the vibration sensing unit 2 and the temperature sensing unit 3 are arranged outside the strain sensing unit 1, so that the vibration sensing unit 2 and the temperature sensing unit 3 respond faster to external vibration and temperature changes, improve the sensitivity of detection, and improve the safety of optical cable use.
[0031] Please combine again Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment, the strain sensing unit 1 includes a first optical fiber 101, a first tight cladding layer 102, and a first sheath layer 103 arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside.
[0032] The first optical fiber 101 is a single-mode optical fiber with zero excess length, so that when the optical cable is strained, the first optical fiber 101 in the strain sensing unit 1 can generate strain synchronously, thereby improving strain sensitivity and ensuring timely perception of optical cable strain caused by geological changes.
[0033] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the strain sensing unit 1 is 1.45 mm. The first optical fiber 101 has a screening strain of no less than 1.5% and a diameter of 1 mm. The first sheath layer 103 is a stainless steel tube with a wall thickness of 0.2 mm. The difference between the outer diameter of the first tight cladding layer 102 and the inner diameter of the first sheath layer 103 does not exceed 0.1 mm.
[0034] It is understandable that, in other embodiments, the sizes of the strain sensing unit 1 , the first optical fiber 101 , the first tight cladding layer 102 , and the first jacket layer 103 may be selected according to actual design requirements.
[0035] Please combine again Figures 1 to 4 In one embodiment, the first reinforcement layer 5 is disposed at intervals around the periphery of the strain sensing unit 1. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable 100 further includes a second reinforcement layer 4, which is located between the strain sensing unit 1 and the first reinforcement layer 5. The second reinforcement layer 4 includes a plurality of second reinforcement members 401, which are disposed around the periphery of the strain sensing unit 1.
[0036] The second reinforcement member 401 is a round metal wire made of galvanized steel wire, phosphated steel wire, stainless steel wire, copper wire, etc. A plurality of second reinforcement members 401 are spirally twisted around the outer periphery of the strain sensing unit 1 to enhance the tensile and compressive strength of the optical cable.
[0037] In this embodiment, the first reinforcement layer 5 includes a plurality of first reinforcement members 501, which are arranged around the periphery of the strain sensing unit 1. The first reinforcement members 501 include a plurality of metal ropes 5011, which are twisted together to form the first reinforcement member 501. The metal ropes 5011 include a plurality of metal wires 50110, which are twisted together to form the metal ropes 5011. The diameter of the metal wires 50110 is 0.1 to 0.3 mm, specifically 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, etc. The metal wires 50110 are made of metal materials such as galvanized steel wire and stainless steel wire.
[0038] In other embodiments, the first reinforcement member 501 may be directly formed by twisting together no less than 19 metal wires 50110 .
[0039] Furthermore, two adjacent first reinforcement members 501 among the plurality of first reinforcement members 501 are spaced apart to form a first gap 502, and the vibration sensing unit 2 is located within the first gap 502. Another two adjacent first reinforcement members 501 among the plurality of first reinforcement members 501 are spaced apart to form a second gap 503, and the temperature sensing unit 3 is located within the second gap 503. Another two adjacent first reinforcement members 501 among the plurality of first reinforcement members 501 are spaced apart to form a third gap 504. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable 100 also includes a communication unit 7, which is located within the third gap 504. The communication unit 7 can be a communication optical unit, which is composed of a communication optical fiber, a fiber filler 304, and a metal protective tube. The installation of the communication unit 7 within the optical cable enables the optical cable to have both pipeline monitoring and communication functions, and can replace traditional pipeline accompanying optical cables.
[0040] Multiple first reinforcement members 501, vibration sensing unit 2, temperature sensing unit 3, and communication unit 7 are spirally twisted around the outer periphery of the second reinforcement layer 4, with a pitch of less than 60 mm. The twisting direction of the multiple first reinforcement members 501, vibration sensing unit 2, temperature sensing unit 3, and communication unit 7 is opposite to the twisting direction of the multiple second reinforcement members 401. There is at least one first reinforcement member 501 between any two of the vibration sensing unit 2, temperature sensing unit 3, and communication unit 7, and the outer diameters of the vibration sensing unit 2, temperature sensing unit 3, and communication unit 7 are all smaller than the first reinforcement members 501. The first reinforcement members 501 serve as radial support and longitudinal tensile elements for the optical cable, thereby improving the cable's resistance to crushing and tensile forces.
[0041] Please combine again Figure 5 , and see Figure 1 In one embodiment, the vibration sensing unit 2 includes, arranged from the inside out, a second optical fiber 201, a second tight cladding layer 202, a spiral tube 203, a braided layer 204, and optionally a second sheath layer 205. That is, in some embodiments, the second sheath layer 205 is not disposed around the outer periphery of the braided layer 204. In other embodiments, the second sheath layer 205 is disposed around the outer periphery of the braided layer 204. The material of the second sheath layer 205 is a highly thermally conductive plastic with a thermal conductivity coefficient of not less than 1 W / (m·K).
[0042] The second optical fiber 201 is a conventional single-mode optical fiber or a dispersion-enhanced single-mode optical fiber. The second tight cladding 202 is tightly wrapped around the outer periphery of the second optical fiber 201 to form a tight-clad optical fiber. The helical tube 203 is formed by spirally winding a stainless steel ribbon or stainless steel wire, providing excellent bending flexibility and strong compressive resistance. The braided layer 204 is woven from stainless steel wire, with a single strand of stainless steel wire having a diameter of 0.05 to 0.07 mm, specifically 0.05 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.07 mm, etc. Furthermore, a water-blocking yarn 206 is filled between the helical tube 203 and the second tight cladding 202 to enhance the optical fiber's water-blocking capability.
[0043] In this way, the vibration sensing unit 2 adopts a single-mode tight-buffered optical fiber and is protected by a spiral tube 203 made of metal and a braided layer 204 made of fine steel wire. The vibration sensing unit 2 is located on the outer layer close to the outer sheath 6 of the optical cable, and the first reinforcement member 501 of the optical cable is a flexible steel wire rope. The optical cable is softer, more sensitive to sound waves / vibration signals, and more accurate in positioning, thereby improving the optical cable's sensitivity to vibration signals such as construction, excavation, and drilling damage around the pipeline and weak sound wave signals generated by pipeline leakage.
[0044] Please combine again Figure 6 , and see Figure 1 In one embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 3 includes a third sheath layer 303, a third optical fiber 301, and a fourth optical fiber 302. The third optical fiber 301 and the fourth optical fiber 302 are disposed within the third sheath layer 303. The third optical fiber 301 is a single-mode optical fiber, and the fourth optical fiber 302 is a multimode optical fiber, each with a core diameter of 50 μm or 62.5 μm. The third sheath layer 303 is a stainless steel tube filled with fiber paste 304. The temperature sensing unit 3, equipped with the third optical fiber 301 and the fourth optical fiber 302, can adapt to temperature measurement using various devices that utilize Raman scattering and Brillouin scattering principles, improving the convenience of temperature measurement.
[0045] In particular, the third optical fiber 301 of the temperature sensing unit 3 is looped with the first optical fiber 101 of the strain sensing unit 1 to form a link structure, which facilitates analysis of the strain and temperature of the decoupled optical cable when measuring using the Brillouin scattering principle.
[0046] In this way, the third sheath layer 303 of the temperature sensing unit 3 is made of metal material, the temperature sensing unit 3 is located in the outer layer close to the outer sheath 6 of the optical cable, and the outer sheath 6 of the optical cable is made of high thermal conductivity material. The first reinforcement 501 and the second reinforcement 401 inside the optical cable are both made of metal materials. The thermal conductivity of the optical cable is good, and the speed at which heat is transferred from the outside to the optical fiber is faster, thereby improving the response speed of the optical cable to the surrounding temperature changes. When a local leakage of the pipeline causes the temperature around the optical cable to change, the optical cable can sense and locate it faster, thereby quickly judging the leakage of the pipeline and locating the leakage point.
[0047] In summary, in the multi-parameter sensing optical cable 100 of the present application, the vibration sensing unit 2 is protected by a spiral tube 203 and a braided layer 204, has good flexibility, and is highly sensitive to external sound waves / vibrations. The protective tube of the temperature sensing unit 3 is a stainless steel tube, and the outer sheath 6 is a high thermal conductivity material. The interior of the outer sheath 6 is all made of metal material with a high thermal conductivity coefficient. When the temperature around the optical cable changes, the heat can be quickly transferred to the temperature sensing unit 3, and the response speed of the temperature sensing is fast. In addition, the strain sensing unit 1 is located at the center of the optical cable, and the first optical fiber 101 in the strain sensing unit 1 has no excess length, so that the strain sensing unit 1 maintains consistency with the strain of the optical cable, thereby improving the sensitivity of the strain sensing. Furthermore, because the vibration sensing unit 2 and the temperature sensing unit 3 are located in the outer layer and are spirally shaped, the optical fibers in the vibration sensing unit 2 and the temperature sensing unit 3 have a large structural excess length. Therefore, when the optical cable undergoes a large elongation strain, the optical fibers in the vibration sensing unit 2 and the temperature sensing unit 3 remain free and do not undergo strain, thereby increasing the maximum measurement range of the optical cable strain sensing. The strain sensing range of the optical cable of this application reaches a maximum of 10,000 με, the breaking force of the optical cable is ≥30 kN, and the crushing force is ≥10,000 N / 10 cm.
[0048] In addition, the protective structures of the strain sensing unit 1, the vibration sensing unit 2, and the temperature sensing unit 3 are all made of metal, which has strong resistance to crushing and can be suitable for direct burial in the field. In addition, the optical cable is provided with structures such as a metal rope 5011 or a metal wire 50110, which makes the tensile strength of the optical cable far greater than that of conventional pipeline-accompanying communication optical cables, thereby improving the safe operation capability under harsh geological conditions such as road collapse and geological subsidence.
[0049] The specific embodiments of the present application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and substitutions may be made to the specific embodiments of the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Such modifications and substitutions are within the scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A multi-parameter sensing optical cable, characterized in that: include: strain sensing unit; a first reinforcement layer, which is arranged around the periphery of the strain sensing unit; a vibration sensing unit, which is disposed in the first reinforcement layer; a temperature sensing unit disposed in the first reinforcement layer, wherein the temperature sensing unit and the vibration sensing unit are spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the first reinforcement layer; An outer protective layer is arranged around the outer periphery of the first reinforcement layer.
2. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first reinforcement layer includes a plurality of first reinforcement members, and the plurality of first reinforcement members are arranged around the periphery of the strain sensing unit; Two adjacent first reinforcement members among the plurality of first reinforcement members are spaced apart to form a first gap, and the vibration sensing unit is located in the first gap; Another two adjacent first reinforcement members among the plurality of first reinforcement members are spaced apart to form a second gap, and the temperature sensing unit is located in the second gap.
3. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to claim 2, wherein: Another two adjacent first reinforcement members among the plurality of first reinforcement members are spaced apart to form a third gap. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable further includes a communication unit, and the communication unit is located in the third gap.
4. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to claim 2, wherein: The first reinforcement layer is arranged at intervals around the outer circumference of the strain sensing unit. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable further includes a second reinforcement layer, which is located between the strain sensing unit and the first reinforcement layer.
5. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second reinforcement layer includes multiple second reinforcement members, which are arranged around the periphery of the strain sensing unit. The twisting direction of the multiple first reinforcement members, the vibration sensing unit, and the temperature sensing unit is opposite to the twisting direction of the multiple second reinforcement members.
6. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to claim 1, wherein: The strain sensing unit includes a first optical fiber, a first tight cladding layer, and a first sheath layer, which are arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside. The excess length of the first optical fiber is zero.
7. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration sensing unit comprises a second optical fiber, a second tight cladding layer, a spiral tube, a braided layer, and a second sheath layer which are arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside.
8. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to claim 1, wherein: The temperature sensing unit includes a third sheath layer, a third optical fiber and a fourth optical fiber. The third optical fiber and the fourth optical fiber are arranged in the third sheath layer. The third optical fiber is set as a single-mode optical fiber, and the fourth optical fiber is set as a multi-mode optical fiber.
9. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to claim 1, wherein: The third optical fiber of the temperature sensing unit is looped with the first optical fiber of the strain sensing unit to form a link structure.
10. The multi-parameter sensing optical cable according to claim 2, wherein: The first reinforcement member includes a plurality of metal cords, the metal cords include a plurality of metal wires, and the diameter of the metal wires is 0.1 to 0.3 mm.