Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing for Infrastructure Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for restoring power, communication, and transportation infrastructure after disasters are inefficient due to limited resource allocation, lack of real-time monitoring, inadequate prioritization, poor coordination among infrastructures, limited resilience and redundancy, and insufficient preventive maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) system that continuously monitors infrastructure, providing real-time data for resource allocation, prioritization, and coordination among power, communication, and transportation systems, while enhancing resilience and redundancy and scheduling preventive maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional manual assessment methods are used for infrastructure restoration, then resource allocation is simplified, but restoration efficiency and prioritization accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment methods with automated distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) technology. The DFOS system uses optical fibers embedded in infrastructure to automatically detect damage through vibration, strain, and temperature changes, eliminating the need for manual inspection while providing continuous, real-time monitoring data that improves restoration efficiency and prioritization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure systems themselves provide monitoring capabilities through embedded DFOS sensors. The fiber optic sensors continuously self-monitor the structural health of power lines, communication networks, and transportation systems, automatically detecting damage without requiring external manual assessment. This self-service capability enables real-time data collection and automated prioritization of restoration efforts.
2Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring is implemented using DFOS, then prioritization accuracy is improved, but system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The DFOS system provides multi-functional monitoring capabilities through a single fiber optic network. The same fiber optic sensors detect multiple types of damage (vibration, strain, temperature changes) across different infrastructure types (power, communication, transportation). This universal sensing approach improves measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of separate specialized monitoring systems for each infrastructure type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple monitoring functions into a single integrated DFOS network. Instead of implementing separate monitoring systems for different infrastructure components, the system combines vibration sensing, strain measurement, and temperature monitoring into one unified platform. This consolidation improves detection precision while reducing overall system complexity compared to multiple independent systems.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is deployed, then preventive maintenance capability is enhanced, but energy consumption and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The DFOS system enables continuous monitoring without interruption, providing uninterrupted detection of infrastructure conditions. The fiber optic sensors continuously measure vibration, strain, and temperature, allowing for real-time detection of developing issues. This continuous action enhances reliability and enables proactive preventive maintenance while using energy efficiently through passive optical sensing that requires minimal power compared to active electronic sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are integrated systems and methods that utilize a network of DFOS sensors installed on power lines, communication networks, and transportation systems, which continuously monitor infrastructures and provide real-time data. This data is collected, processed, and analyzed, and used to identify any affected areas of infrastructure and assess severity of any damage. Prioritization and resource allocation is performed and uses this analysis to prioritize restoration efforts and allocate resources such as repair crews, equipment, and materials to areas with a highest priority.