Water and gas pipeline network monitoring system with FBG sensors

Abstract

A method (100) of monitoring and controlling for hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline networks comprises the steps of: providing a pipe (1) of polymeric material for water or gas installations suitable for connection in series with other pipes; Arranging and fixing on the diametral surface of said pipes (1) at least a fiber optic conductor (12) provided with an optical transmitting core (15) and at least a Fiber Bragg Grating FBG (14) sensor; arranging coating means (30) around said pipe for the protection of said fiber optic conductor (12); configuring said optical fiber conductor (12) to be connected to a control unit (20) capable of sending a light signal; and configuring said fiber optic FBG sensor (14) to send a reflected light signal dependent on the variation in size of said pipe (1). The invention also includes a pipe (1) or conduit for hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline networks comprising at least one fiber optic conductor (12) and a distribution pipeline network (10) comprising at least a pipe (1).

Description

[0001] WATER AND GAS PIPELINE NETWORK MONITORING SYSTEM WITH FBG SENSORS”;

[0002] FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0003] The present invention relates to a water and gas pipeline network monitoring system.

[0004] More particularly, the present invention relates to a system defining a monitoring and controlling computer implemented method for water and gas pipelines network and to a pipe or conduit for water or gas and pipeline network system formed by a plurality of pipes suitable for implementing the monitoring and controlling method.

[0005] STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0006] In the prior art state of public construction and distribution systems, are known and widely used fluidic networks consisting of underground pipelines for the transfer and distribution of drinking water and combustible gas, generally arranged and buried below the street surface.

[0007] These traditional distribution pipeline networks generally operate with liquid or gas pressures in the pipeline in the order of 10-25 bar and are generally extensive and often comprise a plurality of branches interconnected with each other and with other networks to form a grid in order to ensure network redundancy in the event of a disruption or failure in certain sections or branches of the same network.

[0008] Although hydraulic and fluidic distribution networks for drinking water and gas formed by pipelines or conduits made of metallic materials exist and are still widely used, in the current state of the art, hydraulic distribution networks for drinking water and fluidic distribution networks for gas, such as methane, propane, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), etc., are nowadays advantageously realised with pipelines and conduits typically made of plastic materials such as polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP) or other equivalent polymeric materials, jointed and connected at the head by means of melting of the pipe ends by means of electric welds or by means of typical hydraulic joints and fittings for interconnection with other hydraulic or fluidic devices and apparatuses. These types of plastic / polymer pipes or conduits are particularly advantageous because they are easier and cheaper to manufacture, are lighter to transport, have greater corrosion resistance and greater flexibility and geometric adaptability.

[0009] However, these well-known hydraulic and gas distribution networks and systems have typical inherent drawbacks and known operating limitations.

[0010] Hydraulic and gas distribution networks of undergrounded or integrated pipelines in particular, due to the difficulty of accessibility and inspection to them, are difficult to inspect, extremely expensive to maintain and are typically subject to problems of leaks and shortages of liquid or gas over time, often only detectable when they reach a size that causes a restriction or suspension of distribution service or damage to the pipelines network itself or other infrastructure.

[0011] A further drawback of traditional hydraulic and fluid distribution networks for drinking water and gas is that they are particularly subject to the stresses and landslides of the ground in which they are laid out, due to maintenance work, subsidence and settling of the ground, erosion of the supporting ground, natural events, which can be such as to cause breakages or subsidence.

[0012] A further limitation of traditional hydraulic and fluid distribution networks is due to the fact that the measurement and control instrumentation, such as pressure gauges, thermometers, flowmeters, etc., is often invasive and placed or integrated directly into the network pipelines, resulting in high maintenance costs, replacement of the same instrumentation and consequent limitation and loss of liquid or gas flow rate.

[0013] A further limitation of traditional underground hydraulic and fluid networks for the distribution of drinking water and gas is due to the fact that they cannot be precisely geolocated and cannot be easily subdivided hierarchically into sub-networks.

[0014] Therefore, a system or method for the monitoring, constant control and precise geolocation of water and gas pipeline networks is particularly sought after in the current state of the art, in order to limit leaks and leaks, reduce and prevent breakdowns, breaks, service interruptions and limit the costs and interventions for ordinary and extraordinary maintenance.

[0015] OBJECT AND PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The object of the present invention is to overcome and obviate, at least in part, the above- mentioned drawbacks, and operating limits.

[0017] More particularly, the object of the present invention is to provide a distribution pipelines network for drinking water and gas with a related monitoring system that ensures continuous monitoring and measurements of the state of the network.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to provide a drinking water and gas distribution pipelines network with a related monitoring system capable of taking measurements without the insertion of invasive instrumentation arranged inside the pipelines.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to provide a drinking water and gas distribution pipelines network with a related monitoring system capable to geolocate the position and the layout of pipes and branches constituting a pipelines network or sub-network so as to precisely detect breakages, leaks, shortages, and other problems in the pipelines network.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide the user with a drinking water and gas distribution pipelines network with a related monitoring system capable of hierarchically subdividing one or more portions of the same pipelines network. A further object of the present invention is to provide the user with a monitoring and controlling computer implemented method for a drinking water and gas distribution pipelines network.

[0021] Not the least object of the present invention is to provide the user with a monitoring and controlling computer implemented method for a drinking water and gas distribution pipeline network which is capable of self-learning from the sensed data or parameters and interpreting these according to previous events and measurements, or by means of predictive self-learning or machine learning algorithms.

[0022] A further object of the present invention is to provide the user with a drinking water and gas distribution pipeline network with a related monitoring system or plant capable of guaranteeing a high level of resistance and reliability over time and such, moreover, that it can be easily and economically realised and maintained.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide the user with a hydraulic or fluidic pipeline or conduits forming a distribution pipelines network provided with sensors and instrumentation capable of performing instrumental measurements and evaluations of quantities and parameters in a simple and non-invasive manner and such that they can be sent to and processed by a control unit.

[0024] These and other objects are achieved by the water or gas pipelines network monitoring and controlling system subject matter of the present invention, defined by a monitoring and controlling computer implemented method of a water or gas distribution pipelines network capable of implementing said monitoring and controlling method, and of a plurality of pipes or conduits provided with measuring sensors, in accordance with independent claims.

[0025] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] With preliminary reference to Figures 5a to 7a, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) optic sensors or FBGs are known in the state of the art to comprise a plurality of intrinsic FBG sensors arranged directly along the fiber optic conductive medium. Each individual FBG sensor is formed by directly engraving in an optical conductive medium (core) a periodic diffractive grating or Bragg grating, defined by a series of micro-incisions in the optical fiber suitable for functioning as optical filters of the light signal that reflecting or letting pass through certain wavelengths or colours of the optical spectrum emitted by a light source (typically an LED).

[0027] The detection or sensing portion of a fiber optic sensor chain is obtained by FBG segments, typically between 10 and 20 millimetres in length, which can be connected along the fiber optic conductor exactly at the points where sampling is required.

[0028] A single fiber optic conductor can carry a plurality of FBG sensors connected in series, greatly reducing weight and size compared to similar sensors based on electrical and electronic technologies, each of which requires dedicated wiring.

[0029] This feature allows to provide measurement chains of lengths ranging from a few tens of metres up to several kilometres, and such that they can be easily structured with elementary wiring and simple control hardware.

[0030] With preliminary reference also to Figure 7, the continuous light signal emitted by a light source, typically of the super-luminescent or SLED type, is reflected or retroflected over predefined wavelengths by the FBG sensor network and detected in return by a spectrometer. Both hardware components are extremely small in size and weight and have low power consumption.

[0031] The hardware incorporated with the FBG sensor network is also extremely small in size and generally comprises a SLED unit, the spectrometer and a computer or CPU, and various interfaces for connection to on-site or remote data recording, storage or transmission units. External mechanical and physical factors, such as mechanical stretching induced on the fiber optic cable, vibrations, thermodynamic temperature etc., lead to a deformation of the Bragg grating, which alters the distance between the micro-incisions on the optical fiber and causes a wavelength shift of the reflected or retro fleeted light signal.

[0032] This wavelength shift of the reflected light, appropriately calibrated, provides a dynamic measure of the stretching undergone by the fiber optic cable.

[0033] The arrangement of a plurality of FBG sensors configured in series along the fiber optic cable advantageously allows further physical parameters to be determined in real time, such as temperature, pressure, acceleration.

[0034] It is therefore evident how a single fiber optic cable can have the functionality of several measuring sensors.

[0035] Pipes or conduits forming a water and gas distribution pipelines network, such as to implement the monitoring and controlling method subject matter of the present invention, comprise a fiber optic conductive medium, such as a cable or a wire, arranged along the outer perimeter surface of said pipes or conduits themselves capable of detecting and transmitting measurements of physical quantities and parameters through the use of FBG sensors generally arranged in series along said fiber optic conductor.

[0036] The fiber conducting medium is configured for being traversed by a light signal produced by an external illuminator, without the need for a local power supply, and reflected by FBG sensors over a practically infinite transmission band. The data relative to the measurements and environmental parameters of the pipes and of the liquid or fluid flowing or running inside them are extrapolated from the variation in length of the light signal, reflected by the FBG sensors back towards the light source, and processed and analyzed in real time by a central control and processing unit which, by means of known mathematical techniques of signal processing and analysis, self-learning or machine-learning, in addition to recognising possible background noise and disturbances, allows the system to be able to self-leam and interpret the collected data, with the possibility of also adding parameters and information previously unavailable.

[0037] It is therefore an object of the present invention to implement a method of monitoring and controlling for hydraulic and gas distribution networks and related apparatus or pipelines network, suitable for implementing the method of monitoring and controlling, with a plurality of pipes or conduits innovatively provided with FBG sensors and such as to determine advantageously and non-invasively the magnitudes and parameters of physical phenomena at or within said pipelines or tubes, where said measurements and parameters, subsequently sent to a central unit, can be processed and compared by a processing unit with standard parameters or with predictive and machine learning algorithms in order to determine the operating state of the network, localised parameters and measurements, and the presence or generation of leaks, leaks, failure or subsidence of the ground or surrounding structures.

[0038] The structural and functional features of the monitoring and controlling method for the hydraulic or gas pipeline network suitable for implementing said method, and of the pipes or conduit provided with measurement sensors subject matter of the present invention can be better understood from the detailed description below, wherein reference is made to the annexed figures which represent a preferred and non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic and perspective view of a pipe or conduit for hydraulic and gas distribution pipelines networks subject matter of the present invention, provided on its outer diametral surface with a fiber optic conductor with FBG sensors;

[0040] Figure 2a is a schematic and perspective partial view of a pipe or conduit for hydraulic and gas distribution pipelines networks of Figure 1 and subject matter of the present invention, provided on its outer diametral surface with a fiber optic conductor with FBG sensors, wherein the pipe or conduit is shown in transparency and without surface coating for better understanding.

[0041] Figure 2b is a schematic and perspective view of the pipe or conduit for hydraulic and gas distribution pipelines networks of Figure 1 and subject matter of the present invention, provided on its outer diametral surface with a fiber optic conductor with FBG sensors, with a surface coating to protect the fiber optic conductor.

[0042] Figure 3 is an exemplary schematic plan view of a hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network subject matter of the present invention provided with an optical fiber network formed by fiber optic conductors with FBG sensors and comprising several branches forming a grid or matrix.

[0043] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pipe or conduit for hydraulic and gas distribution pipelines network of Figure 1, provided on its outer diametral surface with a fiber optic conductor with FBG sensors subject matter of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 5a is a schematic representation of a partial view of a typical fiber optic conductor provided with a plurality of FBG sensors used in the pipe or conduit of the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network subject matter of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 5b is a schematic representation in longitudinal section of a detailed view of Figure 5a of a typical FBG sensor of the fiber optic conductor;

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic and illustrative representation of the general operation of an optical detection or sensing system with FBG-type sensors applied to the pipe or conduit in the method of monitoring and control of the hydraulic and gas distribution pipelines network subject matter of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 7a is an exemplary schematic representation of the operation of an FBG sensor applied to the pipe or conduit used in the method of monitoring and controlling of the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network subject matter of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 7b is an exemplary schematic representation of some graphs of operation of the monitoring and controlling method applied to the pipe or conduit of the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network subject matter of the present invention, showing the optical spectrum of the incident light from the source, the transmitted light, and the retroflexed light from a perturbed FBG sensor, respectively;

[0049] Figure 8 is an exemplary schematic representation of a flow chart of the computer implemented steps of the monitoring and controlling method of a hydraulic and gas distribution pipelines network of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 9a is an exemplary embodiment of a graph showing pressure measurements over time taken directly in a pipe with a conventional pressure gauge, during the opening and closing of a valve on a test circuit;

[0051] Figure 9b is an illustrative representation of a graph showing the measurements of mechanical stretching over time taken by an FBG sensor placed on the external surface in comparison with the pipeline measurements of figure 9a during the opening and closing of a valve on the same test circuit;

[0052] Figure 10a is an exemplary representation of a graph showing time pressure measurements taken directly in a pipe with a conventional pressure gauge during successive openings and closures of a valve on a test circuit over a period of 5 hours;

[0053] Figure 10b is an illustrative representation of a graph comparing measurements of mechanical stretching over time taken by an FBG sensor placed on the outer surface of the same pipe as figure 10a during successive openings and closures of a valve on a test circuit over a period of 5 hours;

[0054] Figure Ila is an exemplary representation of a graph showing temperature measurements over time taken directly in a pipeline with a conventional thermometer during successive openings and closures of a valve on a test circuit over a time equal to one night;

[0055] Figure 11b is an illustrative representation of a graph comparing the measurements of mechanical stretching over time taken by an FBG sensor placed on the outer surface of the same pipe as figure Ila and their temperature dependence during successive openings and closures of a valve on a test circuit over a period of one night.

[0056] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] With reference to the figures, there is hereinafter described an environmental monitoring and controlling system for hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline networks with Fiber optic FBG sensors comprising a monitoring and controlling method 100 for a pipe 1 and / or a hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network 10 suitable for implementing the method.

[0058] The monitoring and controlling method 100 for hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline networks comprises in a generic and simplified embodiment the steps of:

[0059] - providing a conventional polymeric material pipe 1 for water or gas pipelines suitable for or configured to be connected in series with other pipes to form a distribution pipeline or network;

[0060] - arranging and fixing on the outer diametral surface of said pipe 1 at least a fiber optic conductor 12 provided with an optical transmitting core 15 and comprising at least one Fiber Bragg Grating FBG sensor 14;

[0061] - arranging covering means 30, such as sheaths or equivalent, around said pipe for protecting said fiber optic conductor 12;

[0062] - configuring said fiber optic conductor 12 for connection to a control unit 20 configured for sending a light signal; and;

[0063] - configuring said fiber optic FBG sensor 14 to send a reflected light signal depending on the variation in size of said pipe 1.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the method 100 can comprise in place of or in succession to the step of arranging and fixing on the diametral surface of said pipe 1 at least one fiber optic conductor 12 provided with a transmitting optical core 15 and comprising at least a Fiber Bragg Grating FBG sensor 14, also the steps of:

[0065] - arranging and fixing on the diametral surface of said pipe 1 at least a fiber optic conductor 12 provided with a transmitting optical core 15 comprising a plurality of fiber optic FBG sensors 14, 24;

[0066] - configuring a first FBG sensor 14 as a strain gauge for measuring the variation in size of said pipe 1;

[0067] - configuring a second FBG sensor 24 for measuring a temperature for calibration of said first FBG sensor 14.

[0068] In a further alternative variant, the method 100 can also comprise the steps of:

[0069] - arranging and fixing on the diametral surface of said pipe 1 a second optical fiber conductor 17 comprising a second fiber optic FBG sensor 24;

[0070] - configuring said second FBG sensor 24 for measuring a temperature for calibration of said first FBG sensor 14.

[0071] The method 100 can further comprise one of the steps of configuring said plurality of FBG sensors 14, 24 as follows:

[0072] - configuring at least one FBG sensor 14 as a strain gauge for detecting or sensing (measuring) a mechanical movement or stretching of said pipe 1;

[0073] - configure at least one FBG sensor 14 as a pressure sensor and processing the mechanical stretching measure in order to non-invasively determining the liquid or fluid pressure within the pipe 1;

[0074] - configuring at least a second FBG sensor 24 as a temperature sensor to detecting a thermodynamic temperature;

[0075] - configuring at least a fiber optic FBG sensor 14 as an accelerometer or seismograph to detect the vibrations frequency along pipe 1.

[0076] With particular reference to Figure 8, in some more complex variant embodiments, the method 100 applied to a distribution pipeline network 10 comprising the steps of:

[0077] - providing a plurality of pipes 1 each provided with at least a fiber optic conductor 12, 17 comprising at least one FBG sensor 14, 24 on the outer diametral surface as described in the preceding steps;

[0078] - connecting said plurality of pipes 1 and respective fiber optic conductors 12, 17 together to form a hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network 10 or a portion thereof and a of fiber optic conductors 12, 17 network provided with a plurality of FBG sensors 14, 24;

[0079] - providing a light signal to one end of said at least a fiber optic conductor 12 connected to said plurality of pipes 1, by means of an optical illuminator (not shown) typically arranged in a control unit 20;

[0080] - 106 obtaining as input a real time reflected light signal from said plurality of FBG sensors 14, 24 detecting mechanical stretching, pressure, temperature, vibration frequency etc. by means of an optical detector (not shown) typically arranged within said control unit 20;

[0081] - 108 processing the wavelength signal variation as a function of time of said at least one reflected light signal, in response to a FBG grating size variation of said at least a FBG sensor 14, 24, by means of a computer or CPU of said control unit 20;

[0082] - 110 obtaining as output a three-dimensional geolocation map of the FBG sensors 14, 24 and;

[0083] -110' obtaining as output a map of the relative mechanical stretching, pressures, temperatures and vibrations frequency as a result of said step 108 of processing the signal of the wavelength variation of said at least a reflected light signal;

[0084] - 122 comparing the measured values of said three-dimensional map of the pressures, temperatures and frequency of vibrations with threshold, benchmarks or additional data;

[0085] - 112 generating an alarm or intervention signal as a result of an exceeding of certain threshold values of the physical state parameters of the mechanical stretching, pressure, temperature or vibrations frequency in the pipe 1 or the distribution network 10 with the possible creation of alarm and warning or intervention scenarios.

[0086] The method 100 can comprise an alternative step of:

[0087] - arranging on said plurality of pipes 1 a plurality of fiber optic conductors 12, 17 comprising a plurality of FBG sensors 14, 24 on the diametral surface of said plurality of pipes 1, spaced apart depending on the diameter and conformation of the pipe 1 of which the physical quantities and parameters are to be detected and monitored.

[0088] The method 100 can comprise the further step of:

[0089] - arranging a plurality of fiber optic conductors 12, 17 comprising a plurality of FBG sensors 14, 24 spaced apart depending on the diameter and conformation of the pipe 1 of which the quantities and physical parameters are to be measured, detected and monitored, on a hydraulic or gas pipelines network 10 comprising a plurality of pipes 1 and / or branches of pipes 1 connected in such a way as to define a grid or matrix 13 arranged with or at the development of the area of said hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network 10 or a section of pipe 1.

[0090] Whit particular reference again to Figure 8, the method 100 of monitoring and controlling hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline networks can also comprise, prior to the step 122 comparing the values of said three-dimensional map of temperatures, micromovements, vibrations and accelerations with threshold values of benchmarks or supplementary data, the obtaining of further supplementary and complementary data from different sources with further steps of:

[0091] - 116 generating a geolocalized three-dimensional map of determining the positioning features of FBG sensors 14, 24 on the hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network 10 by means of geolocalization of the same sensors by means of known techniques as topographic measurements or GPS radio-satellite devices; - 118 determining in the three-dimensional map the type of FBG sensors 14, 24 distinguishing between their type and functionality;

[0092] The step 108 of processing the signal wavelength variation as a function of time of said at least one reflected light signal can be preceded by a step of:

[0093] - 120 filtering the acquired data with known sampling algorithms and extracting significant events, such as moving averages etc., of measurements relating to mechanical stretching, pressure, temperature, vibration frequency, in such a way as to reduce the amount of data, process and speed up the processing of the control unit 20 while maintaining an acceptable approximation of the data.

[0094] The step 108 of processing the wavelength variation signal as a function of time of said at least one reflected light signal can comprise a step of:

[0095] - 108' interpolating the data acquired from the FBG sensors 14, 24 by means of known mathematical algorithms of linear or non-linear interpolation, in such a way as to obtain a homogeneous and statistically approximated three-dimensional map of indirect measurements of values and parameters of the points located between two or more adjacent FBG sensors 14, 24;

[0096] Step 122 of comparing the values of said three-dimensional map of mechanical stretching, pressures, temperatures and vibration frequencies with threshold values of benchmarks or additional data can comprise a:

[0097] - generating one or more predictive event algorithms by means of known machine learning techniques, statistical analysis and neural networks.

[0098] Said step 122 of comparison can also be preceded and followed by a step:

[0099] - 124 generating a data storage or database for local or remote storage and storage of FBG sensor measurements and sampling.

[0100] The step 110 of obtaining in output a three-dimensional geolocation map of the FBG sensors 14 and 110' and obtaining in output a map of the relative mechanical stretching, pressures, temperatures and frequency of vibrations as a function of comparison with threshold values of reference parameters can also comprise, for certain FBG sensors 14, the determination of other additional physical parameters of the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 or of the surrounding ground.

[0101] The method 100 can further comprise the steps of:

[0102] - pre-tensioning said at least one fiber optic conductor 12, 17 on said pipe 1 or said plurality of fiber optic conductors 12, 24 on said plurality of pipes 1 or said hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10;

[0103] - providing means for stable attachment to the outer diametral surface of said pipe 1 of said fiber optic conductor 12, 17 comprising FBG sensors 14, 24;

[0104] - providing coating means 30 and mechanical protection of said fiber optic conductor 12, 17. With reference to Figures 1 to 6, it is also subject matter of the present invention to provide a pipe 1 or a conduit for hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline networks 10, said pipe being suitable for implementing the method 100 of monitoring and controlling, comprising at least a fiber optic conductor 12 provided with an optic transmitting core 15 with a protective coating 16 and comprising at least a Fiber Bragg Grating FBG sensor 14.

[0105] Said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 is advantageously permanently fixed on the outer diametral surface of the pipe 1 along, the longitudinal direction thereof, wherein said fiber optic conductor 12 is configured to be connected to a control unit 20 configured for providing a light signal through the transmitting optical core of said fiber optic conductor 12 and to receiving in return a reflected signal from said at least one FBG sensor 14, in such a manner that a variation in the geometrical dimensions of said pipe 1 corresponds to a reflected signal dependent on the variation in size of said pipe 1.

[0106] In an alternative embodiment of the pipe 1, said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 can comprise a plurality of FBG sensors 14, 24 wherein said at least one first FBG sensor 14 is configured as a strain gauge for measuring the expansion of the pipe 1, and wherein said at least one second FBG sensor 24 is configured as a temperature sensor for calibrating said first FBG sensor (14).

[0107] With particular reference to Figures 1 to 2b, in a preferred embodiment of the pipe 1 said second FBG temperature sensor 24 is arranged on a second fiber optic conductor 17 arranged and fixed along the axial direction of the pipe 1 itself.

[0108] Said plurality of FBG sensors 14, 24 can, moreover, be configured independently of each other, in such a way that each can function as:

[0109] - a strain gauge suitable for detecting or sensing (measuring) mechanical movement or stretching;

[0110] - a pressure sensor suitable for non-invasively determine the pressure of the liquid or fluid inside the pipe 1;

[0111] - a temperature sensor suitable for detect a temperature;

[0112] - an accelerometer or seismograph suitable for detect the frequency of vibrations along pipe 1.

[0113] With reference still to the preferred embodiment of the figures, the pipe 1 can advantageously comprise at least a portion or parallel section 12', of said fiber optic conductor 12 arranged along the longitudinal direction of said pipe 1 and comprise at least a portion or diametral section 12" partially or integrally wrap along the diametral circumference and comprising at least two FBG sensors 14, said diametral portion or section 12" being preferably arranged in a substantially circumferential direction to the diameter of the pipe , or in any case not parallel, to the longitudinal direction of the conduit, for example in a spiral or coildike pattern, in a manner substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pipe 1, as in the example of Figures 1 and 2a. In the embodiment of the figures, said fiber optic conductor 12 is arranged with the diametral portion 12" running around the diametral circumference of the pipe 1 in such a way that at least two FBG sensors 14 can be arranged in substantially opposite positions to each other in the cross direction of the pipe in such a way that the expansion movements of the pipe 1 can be detected with greater precision and accuracy.

[0114] In the preferred embodiment with particular reference to Figures 1, 2a and 4, said diametral portion 12" of the fiber optic conductor is diametrally developed around the circumference in such a way as to arrange at least three FBG sensors arranged along the circumference at an angle of about 120°.

[0115] Said conductor 12 and said second fiber optic conductor 17 typically comprise a conventional cable having a circular cross-section with a transmitting optical core 15 which can be provided with a protective covering 16 and comprising at least one FBG sensor 14 formed in said core 14 by means of engraving 14' defining a Bragg grating , said fiber optic conductor 12, 17 being configured to being permanently fixed on the outer diametral surface of said pipe 1, said fiber optic conductor 12 being connected to one end thereof;

[0116] Said fiber optic conductor 12 and said second optical fiber conductor 17 being permanently fixed at said FBG sensors 14, 24 to the outer diametral surface of said pipe 1 and extending along the entire length thereof. Said fiber optic conductor 12 and said second optical fiber conductor 17 and can comprise at their ends connecting means with the contiguous fiber optic conductors 12 of another pipe 1 to form a fiber optic conductor network parallel to the pipeline network 10. Said connecting means (not shown) of the fiber optic conductors can be, for example, standardized connectors or other known connecting means for optical transmission cores of the fiber optic cables.

[0117] The tubular body of said pipe 1 is traditionally used in distribution pipeline networks and can typically be made of plastic / polymer material such as polyethylene PE, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene PP.

[0118] Said fiber optic conductor 12, 17 can advantageously be arranged and applied pre-tensioned on the outer surface of a pipe 1 in such a manner as to improve the accuracy of mechanical stretching.

[0119] Said fiber optic conductor 12 and said second optical fiber conductor 17 can also be applied and fixed directly to a plurality of traditional pipes already connected together to define an hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network, or can be applied to a single traditional pipe or conduit and subsequently connected together to form an optical line parallel to the pipeline, branch or section of a traditional distribution pipeline network.

[0120] Referring again to the simplified embodiment of the figures, said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 can advantageously comprise known fastening means suitable for stabilising and making said fiber optic conductor 12, said second optical fiber conductor 17 and said FBG sensors 14, 24 integral with the outer diametral surface of the pipe 1 in such away that the single FBG sensor 14, 24 can extend following the expansions of the pipe 1, and can comprise coating means 30 of the fiber optic conductor 12 suitable for protecting the same from external events.

[0121] Said fastening means can be adhesives, gluing materials, mechanical anchors, sheaths or equivalent, while said covering means 30 can be sheaths made of heat-shrinkable polymeric material, polyethylene PE, polyvinyl chloride PVC, polypropylene PP etc., wrapped around the outer diametral surface of the pipe 1 to which said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 has been previously fixed.

[0122] Said coating means 30 also perform a protective function of the fiber optic conductor 12.

[0123] In a further alternative embodiment, not shown, said at least one pipe 1 can be provided with a groove formed on its outer surface within which said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 is housed, said groove being formed in such a manner as to maintain a minimum calculated resisting cross-sectional area for said pipe 1.

[0124] In a further alternative embodiment, in particular in the case of a pipe 1 made of polyethylene PE, not shown, said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 can be integrated directly into the wall of the pipe 1 during the manufacturing of said pipe 1.

[0125] Said at least one fiber optic conductor 12, said fastening means and said coating means 30 of the fiber optic conductor can also be arranged on the outer surface of said at least one pipe 1 by means of special machines and mandrel-type equipment in which said at least one pipe 1 is placed in rotation on its longitudinal axis and said fiber optic conductor 12 or a plurality of fiber optic conductors 12 and said surface coating means 30 are wrap on the same pipe 1. Said coating means can also comprise a plurality of filaments of various polymeric plastic material, PE, PVC, PP, carbon fiber etc. wrap on the outer surface of said at least one pipe 1 placed in rotation on a mandrel in such a manner as to form a net or weft of outer cladding protecting the fiber optic conductor 12 and the optional second optical fiber conductor.

[0126] With reference again to the figures and in particular Figure 3, it is also subject matter of the present invention a hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 comprising: a plurality of interconnected pipes 1 subject matter of the present invention wherein said each at least one fiber optic conductor 12 and, if present, said second optical fiber conductor 17, are optically connected to each other to form a fiber optical line or network of fiber optic conductors 12, 17 parallel to said distribution pipeline network 10.

[0127] Said fiber optic conductor 12 and said second optical fiber conductor 17 of the pipes 1 are advantageously connected in series to form at least one optical network connected at one end with a control unit 20 comprising an optical illuminator (not shown) capable of sending an optical signal through said fiber optic conductor 12, and comprising an optical receiver capable of receiving a light signal back from said optical fiber conductor, said control unit 20 comprising a computer or CPU being configured to: - processing a time-dependent wavelength variation signal of said at least one reflected light signal acquired from said at least one FBG sensor 14;

[0128] - obtaining as output measurements, status parameters or maps of measurements and parameters of the hydraulic or gas distribution pipelines network 10 and the surrounding environment;

[0129] - comparing said measurements and status parameters with threshold values of reference parameters or supplementary data;

[0130] - generating an alarm or intervention signal in response to the exceeding of certain threshold values of the measurements or status parameters of the distribution pipeline network 10 or pipe 1.

[0131] The hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 can also advantageously comprise a plurality of fiber optic conductors 12, 17 provided with FBG sensors 14, 24 connected to each other to form at least one optical network and arranged in such a way as to define a grid or matrix 13 of FBG sensors 14, 24 arranged to cover a region or a sectorial area in such a way as to implement a districted and a hierarchical subdivision thereof.

[0132] Said FBG sensors 14, 24 are arranged in series along the same fiber optic conductor 12, 17 connected to each other to form said optical network and can be uniformly or differently spaced apart from each other in such a way as to define portions or sections of the fiber optic conductor 12, 17 or of the optical network more or less dense with FBG sensors 14, 24.

[0133] A plurality of fiber optic conductors 12, 17 can also advantageously be collected in a bundle or cable of independently illuminated fiber optic conductors capable of branching off and separating along their development on the distribution pipeline network 10 in such a way and to be selectively arranged in the different zones or districts of the pipeline network 10 itself where the presence of the FBG sensors 14, 24 is most needed for sampling the measurement values.

[0134] With reference again to the simplified embodiment of the figures, said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 can advantageously comprise known fixing means, suitable for stabilizing and making said fiber optic conductor 12, said second optical fiber conductor 17 and said FBG sensors 14, 24, fixed to the external diametral surface of the pipe 1 in such a way that the single FBG sensor 14, 24 can extend following the expansions of the pipe 1, and can comprise coating means 30 of the fiber optic conductor 12 suitable for protecting the same from external events.

[0135] Said fixing means can be adhesives, adhesive materials, mechanical anchors, sheaths or equivalent, while said covering means 30 can be sheaths made of heat-shrinkable polymeric material, polyethylene PE, polyvinyl chloride PVC, polypropylene PP etc., wrapped around the outer diametral surface of the pipe 1 to which said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 has been previously fixed.

[0136] Said coating means 30 also perform a protective function4 of the fiber optic conductor 12.

[0137] In a further alternative embodiment, not shown, said at least one pipe 1 can be provided with a groove formed on its outer surface within which said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 is housed, said groove being formed in such a manner as to maintain a minimum cross- sectional area calculated for said pipe 1.

[0138] In a further alternative embodiment, in particular in the case of a pipe 1 made of polyethylene PE, not shown, said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 can be integrated directly into the wall of the pipe 1 during the production of said pipe 1.

[0139] Said at least one fiber optic conductor 12, said fastening means and said optical fiber conductor coating means 30 can also be arranged on the outer surface of said at least one pipe 1 by means of special machines and mandrel-type equipment in which said at least one pipe 1 is placed in rotation on its longitudinal axis and said fiber optic conductor 12 or a plurality of fiber optic conductors 12 and said surface coating means 30 are wrap on the same pipe 1.

[0140] Said coating means can also comprise a plurality of filaments of various polymeric plastic material, PE, PVC, PP, carbon fiber etc. wrap on the outer surface of said at least one pipe 1 placed in rotation on a mandrel in such a manner as to form a net or weft of outer coating for protection of said fiber optic conductor 12.

[0141] From the description of the monitoring and controlling method 100, the pipe 1 suitable for implementing the method 100 and the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 comprising a plurality of pipes 1 subject matter of the present invention, the operation described below appear obvious.

[0142] With reference to the aforementioned figures, the monitoring and controlling method 100, the pipe 1, and the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 subject matter of the present invention advantageously employ the use of FBG sensors 14, 24 as an innovative means for measuring and monitoring the state and physical parameters of branches or sections comprising a plurality of pipes 1 of the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10, allowing to detect in a precise and non-invasive manner (outside the pipes) anomalies, failures or leaks and enabling the user to intervene promptly and to the precise location of the problem, avoiding service interruptions and limiting the operating and maintenance costs of the hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network.

[0143] With preliminary reference to Figures 9a and 9b, graphs are shown of measurements in a test circuit with a polyethylene PE pipeline with a length of 1 metre and a fiber optic conductor 12 with a test FBG sensor 14.

[0144] The graph in figure 9a shows the pressure values as a function of time measured in bar by a conventional electronic pressure gauge placed inside pipe 1, while the graph in figure 9b shows the extension values as a function of time of the FBG sensor in micrometres [pm] relative to the radial expansion of pipe 1.

[0145] The negative peaks highlighted in both graphs in Figures 9a and 9b are the pressure drops detected following the opening and closing of a solenoid valve placed in the test circuit.

[0146] As can be seen from Figures 9a and 9b, the correlation between the direct pressure measurement taken by the pressure gauge and the indirect pressure measurement taken by means of the FBG sensor extension is evident. The two negative peaks are inadequately sampled measurements, as the pressure gauge measures one data point every 5 seconds and the negative peak has a comparable duration in time. Approximately three sampled measurements can be clearly distinguished in the pressure change interval following the opening and closing of the valve.

[0147] With particular reference to Figures 10a and 10b, the same graphs are shown in comparison with the measurements on the test circuit with a plurality of valve opening and closing events carried out respectively with a conventional electronic pressure gauge and by means of FBG sensors over a time interval of 5 hours.

[0148] With reference also to Figures Ila and 11b, the measurements of the temperature values in the test circuit over a time period of one night are shown in the graph in Figure Z. The negative temperature peaks are always caused by the strong localized pressure variations following the opening and closing events of the solenoid valve placed on the test circuit.

[0149] The graph in figure 11b shows the stretching values of the FBG sensor over the same time period. It is evident, also from the correlation between the two graphs, how the stretching of the FBG sensors is strongly dependent on variations in fluid temperature under the same circuit conditions, and how the FBG sensors need to be calibrated as a function of temperature in order to have accurate pressure measurements.

[0150] Referring again to all of the annexed figures, the invention works by advantageously arranging at least one fiber optic conductor 12 in such a way that FBG sensors 14 are arranged fixed on the diametral surface of a pipe 1 of the distribution pipeline network 10. The light signal, generated by an optical source or illuminator, advantageously a super- luminescent diode SLED placed in the control unit 20 and subsequently sent through said fiber optic conductor 12 through which it is reflected by the FBG sensors 14, is detected in return by an optical detector placed in the same control unit 20.

[0151] Any change in movement and expansion of the pipe 1 due to a change in internal pressure as well as a change in temperature or other parameters causes a stretching of the Bragg gratings of the FBG sensors 14 such that the wavelength of the reflected light signal changes. This change in wavelength of the reflected signal is detected by the optical detector processed and compared by a computer of the control unit 20 with threshold values and other information, so that local information on the state of the pipe 1 and general information on the state of the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 is provided as output in order to find failures and leaks or to prevent these before they occur.

[0152] The data collected by the control unit 20 can be stored on an internal memory of the control unit 20 itself or be sent via known wired or wireless transmission means to a remote unit 70 for further processing or storage.

[0153] In operation in a simplified form of the monitoring and controlling system for water and gas distribution networks, said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 can be simply arranged and fixed on the diametral surface of the pipe 1 in such a way that mechanical stretching of the pipe 1 can be detected.

[0154] In the preferred embodiment, for better sensitivity and accuracy of measurement of stretching due to the expansion of the pipe 1 as a result of the inner pressure, the monitoring and controlling system subject matter of the present invention is advantageously provided, in addition to portions or sections 12' of the fiber optic conductor 12 parallel to the longitudinal development of the pipe 1 or pipeline network 10 also of diametral portions 12" of said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 so as to allow the arrangement of two or more FBG sensors 14 in a substantially opposite position to each other along the direction of the cross-section of the pipe 1 in such a way as to measure with greater precision and accuracy the expansion movement of said pipe 1, and thus indirectly and non-invasively the inner pressure, and also to advantageously allow the detection of the ovalization thereof due, for example, to subsidence or non-homogeneous parts of the ground in which the pipe 1 or the pipeline network 10 are arranged.

[0155] The at least second FBG sensor 24 can advantageously be configured as a temperature sensor and arranged in close proximity to said at least one FBG sensor 14 configured as a strain gauge so as to calibrate and correlate the measurement of the expansion of the pipe 1 with the temperature at the same point taking into account the inherent thermal expansion of the material.

[0156] With particular reference also to Figure 3, an arrangement of said at least one fiber optic conductor 12 on curved non-linear and mixed linear paths, as well as an arrangement of a plurality of fiber optic conductors 12 arranged according to a grid or matrix 13, advantageously provides a real-time mapping of FBG sensors 14, 24 and a three-dimensional state of the hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network 10.

[0157] This mapping, which can be all the more defined the greater the number of FBG sensors 14 arranged and the lesser the distance and frequency of their arrangement along the pipe 1, can be useful for self-learning, predictive or machine learning systems and algorithms that use the amount and accuracy of data provided by the FBG sensors 14 to determine on the basis of historical data and parameters what types of events or phenomena are occurring on the hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network 10. This mapping advantageously allows to determine whether these phenomena can be due to particular conditions of use and load on the network, such as activation of devices such as pumps valves etc., or whether they can be dangerous and such as to be a source of a problem or such as to generate a problem, such as leaks or shortage, or whether they are external phenomena due to, for example, ground subsidence or interventions external to the hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network 10. As can be seen from the foregoing, the advantages of the method 100 of monitoring and controlling for the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 implementing the method subject matter of the present invention are obvious.

[0158] The method 100 of monitoring and controlling for the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 subject matter of the present invention is particularly advantageous because it provides the user with an effective monitoring, fault detection and failure prevention system that is extremely simple, low invasive, easy to install and simple to maintain.

[0159] A further advantage due to the method 100 of monitoring and the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 subject matter of the present invention is that, unlike conventional electrical and electronic systems, the FBG 14 sensors are particularly advantageous for underground applications as they are insensitive to electromagnetic fields, oxidation, and corrosion.

[0160] A further advantage still due to the method 100 of monitoring and the hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network 10 subject matter of the present invention is that it provides the user with a system that can be implemented by means of algorithms and processing software and that is suitable for self-learning, predictive or machine learning functions in such a way as to provide not only a monitoring and prevention system but also a system for statistical analysis of phenomena.

[0161] Although the invention has been described above with particular reference to a preferred embodiment and some variant forms, which are given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, numerous further modifications and variants will be apparent to a skilled person in the art in the light of the above description. The present invention, therefore, is intended to comprise all modifications and variations falling within the protective scope of the following claims.

Claims

C L A I M S1. A monitoring and controlling method (100) for hydraulic and gas pipeline distribution network comprises the steps of: providing a pipe (1) made of polymeric material for hydraulic or gas distribution network suitable for connection in series with other pipes; arranging and fixing on the outer diametral surface of said pipe (1) at least a fiberoptic conductor (12) provided with an optic transmitting core (15) and comprising at least a Fiber Bragg Grating FBG sensor (14); arranging coating means (30) around said pipe for protecting said fiber-optic conductor (12); configuring said fiber-optic conductor (12) for the connection to a control unit (20) configured for sending a light signal and; configuring said FBG sensor (14) to send a reflected light signal depending on the variation in size of said pipe (1).

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, comprising a step of: arranging and fixing on the diametral surface of said pipe (1) at least a fiber optic conductor (12) provided with a transmitter optical core (15) comprising a plurality of fiber optic FBG sensors (14, 24); configuring a first FBG sensor (14) as a strain gauge to measuring the variation in size of said pipe (1); configuring a second FBG sensor (24) for measuring a temperature for calibration of said first FBG sensor (14).

3. The method (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a step of: arranging and fixing on the diametral surface of said pipe (1) a second fiber optic conductor (17) comprising a second fiber optic FBG sensor (24);configure said second FBG sensor (24) for measuring a temperature for calibration of said first FBG sensor (14).

4. The method 100 according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 3, comprising any of the steps of: configuring at least a fiber optic FBG sensor (14) as a strain gauge for detecting a mechanical movement or stretching of said pipe (1); configuring at least a fiber optic FBG sensor (14) as a pressure sensor and processing the mechanical stretching measure in order to non-invasively determining the liquid or fluid pressure within the pipe (1); configuring at least second fiber optic FBG sensor (24) as a temperature sensor to detecting a thermodynamic temperature;5. configuring at least a FBG fiber-optic sensor (14, 24), as an accelerometer or seismograph to detecting the vibrations frequency along the pipe (1).

6. The method (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of pipes (1) each provided with at least a fiber optic conductor (12, 17) comprising at least one FBG sensor (14, 24); connecting said plurality of pipes (1) and respective fiber optic conductors (12, 17) to form a hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network (10) or a portion thereof and a network of fiber optic conductors (12, 17) provided with a plurality of FBG sensors (14, 24); providing a light signal to one end of said at least a fiber-optic conductor (12) connected to said plurality of pipes (1), by means of a fiber-optic illuminator of a control unit (20);(106) obtaining as input a real time reflected light signal from said plurality of FBG sensors (14, 24) detecting mechanical stretching, pressure, temperature, vibrationfrequency etc. by means of an optical detector arranged within said control unit (20); (108) processing the wavelength signal variation as function of time of said at least one reflected light signal in response to a FBG grating size variation of said at least a FBG sensors (14, 24) by means of a computer or CPU of said control unit (20); - (110) obtaining as output a three-dimensional geolocation map of FBG sensors (14,24) and(110') obtain as output a map of relative mechanical stretching, pressures, temperatures, and vibrations frequency as a result of said step (108) of processing the signal of wavelength variation of said at least a reflected light signal; - (122) comparing the measured values of said three-dimensional map of pressures, temperatures and vibration frequency with threshold, benchmarks, or additional data.(112) generating an alarm or intervention signal as a result of exceeding of certain threshold values of the physical state parameters of mechanical stretching, pressure, temperature or vibrations frequency in the pipe (1) or distribution pipeline (10) with the creation of alarm and warning or intervention scenarios.

7. The method (100) according to claim 2, wherein the step of providing at least one conduits conductor (12) with a plurality of FBG sensors (14) further comprises the step of: - providing a plurality of fiber-optic conductors (12, 17) comprising a plurality of FBG sensors (14, 24) connected to forming an optical network and arranged on a hydraulic or gas pipeline network (10) comprising a plurality of pipes (1) and / or branches of pipes (1) connected in such a way as to define a grid or matrix (13).

8. The method according to claim 6, comprising prior to step (122) of comparing the values of said three-dimensional map of temperatures, micromovements, vibrations andaccelerations with threshold values of benchmarks or supplementary data, the obtaining of further supplementary and complementary data from different sources with further steps of:(116) generating a geolocated three-dimensional map of determining the positioning features of FBG sensors (14, 24) on the hydraulic or gas pipeline network (10) by means of geolocation of FBG sensors (14, 24);(118) determining in the three-dimensional map the type of FBG sensors (14, 24) distinguishing between their type and functionality.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein step (108) of processing the wavelength variation signal as a function of time of said at least one reflected light signal comprises a step of;(108') interpolating the data acquired from FBG sensors (14, 24) by means of mathematical algorithms of linear or non-linear interpolation, in such a way as to obtain a homogeneous and statistically approximated three-dimensional map of indirect measurements of values and parameters of points located between two or more adjacent FBG sensors (14, 24).

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein step (122) comparing the values of said three- dimensional map of mechanical strains, pressures, temperatures, and vibration frequencies with threshold values of benchmarks or additional data comprises the step of: generating one or more event predictive algorithms by means of machine learning techniques, statistical analysis, and neural networks.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step (122) of comparing is preceded and followed by:(124) generating a data storage or database for local or remote storage and storage ofFBG sensor (14, 24) measurements and sampling;12. The method according to claim 6, wherein step (108) of processing and comparison is preceded or followed by an additional step of:(124) generating a memory database for locally or remotely storing data and results.

13. The method according to claim 3, comprising the additional steps of: pre-tensioning said at least one fiber optic conductor (12, 17) on said pipe (1); providing means for stable attachment to the outer diametral surface of the pipe (1) of said first and second fiber-optic conductors (12, 17) comprising FBG sensors (14, 24); providing coating means (30) and mechanical protection of said fiber optic conductor (12, 17).

14. A pipe (1) or conduit for hydraulic or gas distribution pipeline network made of a polymeric material, characterized in that comprises at least a fiber optic conductor (12) provided with an optic transmitting core (15) with a protective coating (16), comprising at least a Fiber Bragg Grating FBG sensor (14), said at least fiber-optic conductor (12) being stably fixed on the outer diametral surface of said pipe (1) along the longitudinal direction thereof; wherein said fiber-optic conductor (12) is configured to be connected to a control unit (20) configured for providing a light signal through said fiber optic conductor (12) and for receiving in return a reflected signal from said FBG sensor (14) in such a manner that a variation in the geometric dimensions of said pipe (1) corresponds to a reflected signal dependent on the variation in the dimension of said pipe (1).

15. The pipe (1) according to claim 14, wherein said at least one fiber-optic conductor (12) comprising a plurality of FBG sensors (14, 24) wherein said at least one first FBG sensor (14) is configured as a strain gauge for measuring the expansion of said pipe (1), andwherein said at least one second FBG sensor (24) configured as a temperature sensor for calibrating said first FBG sensor (14).

16. The pipe (1) according to claim 14, wherein said second FBG (24) temperature sensor is arranged on a second fiber optic conductor (17) arranged along the axial direction of the pipe (1).

17. The pipe (1) according to any of the preceding claims 14 to 16, wherein said FBG sensors (14) are configured independently of each other so that each can function as: a strain gauge suitable for detecting or sensing (measuring) mechanical movement or strain; a pressure sensor suitable for non-invasively determine the pressure of the liquid or fluid within the pipeline (1); a temperature sensor suitable for detecting a temperature; an accelerometer or seismograph suitable for detecting the frequency of vibrations along the pipeline (1).

18. The pipe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 14 to 17, comprising at least one parallel portion or section (12'), of said optical fiber conductor (12) arranged along the longitudinal direction of said pipe (1) and comprising at least one diametral portion or section (12") wrap along the diametral circumference and comprising at least two FBG sensors (14), said diametral portion or section (12") being arranged in a substantially circumferential direction to the outer diametral surface of said pipe (1).

19. The pipe (1) according to claim 18, wherein said diametral portion (12") is developed around the diametral circumference of the pipe (1) in such a way that at least two FBG sensors (14) can be arranged in positions substantially opposite to each other in the cross direction of the pipe (1).

20. The pipe (1) according to claim 18, where said diametral portion (12") of the fiber opticconductor (12) is diametrally developed around the circumference in such a way as to arrange at least three FBG sensors (14) arranged on the circumference at an angle of about 120°.

21. A hydraulic and gas distribution pipeline network (10), comprising: a plurality of pipes (1) according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein said at least one fiber-optic conductor (12) is connected at one end thereof with a control unit (20) comprising an optical illuminator suitable for sending an optical signal through said fiber optic conductor (12), and comprising an optical receiver suitable for receiving a light signal back from said fiber optic conductor, said control unit (20) comprising a computer or CPU being configured to: processing a time-dependent wavelength signal variation of said at least one reflected light signal acquired from said at least one FBG sensor (14); obtaining as output measurements, state parameters or maps of measurements and parameters of the water or gas distribution pipeline (10) and the surrounding environment; comparing said measurements and status parameters with threshold values of benchmarks or additional data; generating an alarm or intervention signal in response to the exceeding of certain threshold values of measurements or status parameters of the distribution pipeline (10) or pipe (1).

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