Flexible Elongate Optical Sensor for Sewage Pipeline Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting unwanted water infiltration in sewage systems, such as Distributed Temperature Sensing and Fiber Bragg Grating, face challenges with installation complexity and data quality due to objects like napkins and wet wipes getting stuck on optical fiber cables, leading to blockages and reduced maintenance efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A flexible elongate member with optical sensing fibers, designed to float or be submerged in sewage fluid, aligns with the flow to obtain distributed measurement data, featuring a low-density design and a smooth outer jacket to prevent object entanglement, and a drag device for easy deployment and alignment within the pipeline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical fiber cables are installed at the bottom of pipelines using clamps, then distributed measurement data can be obtained, but installation becomes complex and time-consuming, and objects like napkins and wet wipes get stuck on the cable causing blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical fiber from the complex cable structure with clamps and mounting hardware, using a bare or minimally protected optical fiber instead. This eliminates the installation complexity and objects getting stuck while preserving the measurement capability of the optical fiber itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the installation system by removing the rigid cable structure and clamps, transitioning to a flexible optical fiber that can be easily deployed and retrieved. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and installation complexity
2Measurement precision
If optical fiber cables are installed at the bottom of pipelines, then measurement data can be collected, but objects get stuck on the cable causing significant blockages and reducing maintenance efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the optical fiber from the cable structure that attracts debris, the patent eliminates the blockage problem while maintaining measurement capabilities. The bare fiber does not provide surfaces for objects like napkins and wet wipes to stick to
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic deployment and retrieval of the optical fiber system, allowing quick installation and removal. This dynamic approach improves maintenance efficiency by enabling rapid deployment without permanent installation, and quick retrieval when blockages or maintenance are needed
3Stability of the object's composition
If clamps are used to fasten the optical fiber to the bottom of the pipeline, then the fiber remains in position, but installation becomes onerous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the clamps and fastening mechanisms entirely, using the optical fiber alone. This extraction eliminates the time-consuming installation process while the fiber's flexibility allows it to conform to and remain positioned in the pipeline without mechanical fasteners
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates quick and efficient installation and data collection with reduced blockages, improving measurement quality by allowing the flexible member to move with the fluid flow and maintain operational configuration without straining the pipeline structure.
Implementation Method 1
A light pulse is emitted to produce an optical signal that travels in the fiber. For DTS and DAS a part of the signal is reflected in the opposite direction due to scattering of the light in the optical fiber medium.
Implementation Method 2
For DTS and DAS a part of the signal is reflected in the opposite direction due to scattering of the light in the optical fiber medium. This reflection happens continuously along the length of the optical fiber.
Implementation Method 3
More specifically, the flexible elongate member is typically deployable and movable within the sewage pipeline or channel, in use, to utilize the waste fluid to align the flexible elongate member to extend along the sewage pipeline or channel
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible elongate member has at least one optical sensing fiber and is configured to be at least partially submerged or float in waste fluid inside a sewage pipeline or channel for obtaining distributed measurement data along the waste fluid flow. An apparatus is for use in obtaining distributed measurement data from a sewage pipeline or channel. The apparatus has a flexible elongate member in and deployment means for deploying the flexible elongate member in the waste fluid of the sewage pipeline or channel. Furthermore, a method is for obtaining distributed sensor measurements along a sewage pipeline or channel and a method is for deploying a flexible elongate member in a sewage pipeline or channel.