Systems, devices and methods enable generation and monitoring of support platform structural conditions in a manner that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional approaches (e.g., load cells) for generating and monitoring similar operating condition information. In preferred embodiments, such systems, devices and methods utilize fiber optic strain gauges (i.e., fiber optic sensors) in place of (e.g., retrofit/data replacement) or in combination with conventional load cells. The fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations on one or more support bodies of a support platform. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic strain gauges are placed in positions within a hull and/or one or more pontoons of an offshore platform. Such positions are selected whereby resulting operating condition data generated by the fiber optic strain gauges suitably replaces data received by conventionally constructed and located load cells of an offshore platform (e.g., a TLP).

The present invention discloses a distributed continuous high-accuracy bidirectional displacement fiber-optic measurement system and a measurement method thereof for measuring displacement of a measurement target, including a Brillouin analysis device connected with an optical fiber strain gauge, a fiber-optic sensor assembly including a reference fiber-optic sensor device and a plurality of fiber-optic sensor devices, and an operation module, the operation module is operable to receive the continuous data and the single-spot data transmitted from the Brillouin analysis device and the fiber-optic sensor devices, and to calculate an accurate displacement for each interval of the optical fiber strain gauge according to the continuous data and the single-spot data so as to form continuous displacement data. Thus, the present invention is economic in respect of cost and suits the need of the market application, and can be applied in a large area, and enhances the accuracy of measurement.

The present disclosure discloses an optical element for measuring a change in strain. The optical element has ends and first and second portions for guiding light which extend between the ends of the optical element and are mechanically coupled to each other at at least one position. Each of the first and second portions for guiding light comprise at least one Bragg grating. The optical element is arranged such that, when an axial or uniaxial strain is equally applied to the first and second portions for guiding light at the ends of the optical element, an optical response from the at least one Bragg grating of the first portion for guiding light differs from an optical response form the at least one Bragg grating of the second portion for guiding light.

An apparatus for locating a measurand anomaly, such as a hot-spot, along an optical waveguide is provided comprising: an optical waveguide, a light source configured to transmit pulsed light along the waveguide, and a first and second set of sensors provided along the waveguide. Each sensor is configured to reflect a portion of light propagating along the waveguide at a respective sensor wavelength corresponding to a measurand. The first set of sensors provides one or more groups of sensors configured to detect a measurand anomaly within that group. The second set comprises a plurality of sensors each separated from the adjacent sensor of that set by a distance along the waveguide greater than half the distance travelled by the light along the waveguide during the pulse duration. A plurality of sensors of the first set is provided between each adjacent sensor of the second set. The apparatus further comprises a detector configured to monitor the light reflected by the sensors, and a control system configured to control the light source and the detector to both locate at least the group containing a measurand anomaly and to monitor the measurand using the second set.

A modular pavement slab comprises a body, a strain sensor array, and a sensor processor. The body includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and four side surfaces. The modular pavement slab is configured to be coupled to at least one other modular pavement slab via connectors along at least one of the side surfaces. The strain sensor array is retained within the body and is configured to detect a plurality of strains on the body resulting from vehicular traffic across the top surface of the body. The sensor processor is in communication with the strain sensor array. The sensor processor is configured to communicate input signals to the strain sensor array, receive output signals from the strain sensor array, and determine a plurality of time-varying strain values, each strain value indicating a strain experienced over time by a successive one of a plurality of regions of the body.

Bearing unit providing a housing and at least one bearing mounted in the housing. The bearing unit includes at least one load sensing element and at least one vibration sensing element fixed on the housing.

An optical strain gauge system measures strain on the exterior surface of a pipe to identify areas of wear on the interior surface of the pipe. The optical strain gauge system comprises an optical sensing interrogator and at least one optical fiber. The optical sensing interrogator comprises a light source and a light sensor. The at least one optical fiber includes fiber Bragg gratings along the length of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is arranged on the exterior surface of the pipe with the fiber Bragg gratings forming a two-dimensional array of points at which strain measurements are obtained. The two-dimensional array of strain measurement points provides an accurate assessment of the strains on the exterior of the pipe which can be used to identify areas of wear on the interior surface of the pipe.

An optical sensing system comprising an optical fiber, a light source, a first interrogator and a second interrogator. The optical fiber includes one or more optical sensors. The light source is placed at a first end of the optical fiber and is configured to direct light towards the one or more optical sensors. The first interrogator is placed at the first end of the optical fiber. The second interrogator placed at a second, opposite end of the optical fiber. The first interrogator is configured to receive reflected light from the one or more optical sensors, and the second interrogator is configured to receive transmitted light from the one or more optical sensors.

A system for downhole measurements. The system may comprise a fiber optic cable that further comprises a transmission fiber and a return fiber. Additionally, the system may comprise a passive optical device optically connected to the transmission fiber and the return fiber, a first wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) optically connected to the transmission fiber, and a second WDM optically connected to the return fiber. The system may further comprise a transmitter and a first Raman pump optically connected to the first WDM and a receiver and a second Raman pump optically connected to the second WDM.

A method of mounting a rail monitoring member/element at a mounting location of a rail for rail traffic, in particular on a railway track, is disclosed. The rail monitoring member includes a strain sensor member with a carrier on which a strain gauge, being an optical fiber with a fiber Bragg grating, is fixed. The method steps include: determination of the temperature of the rail and/or rail monitoring member at the mounting location; checking whether the determined temperature is within a predefined temperature interval; providing heating or cooling application to the rail and/or rail monitoring member at the mounting location, if the determined temperature is not within the predefined temperature interval; positioning and adhesively fixing of the carrier of the rail monitoring member at the mounting location. The method can be carried out easily and allows reliable and accurate monitoring of the rail using a strain sensor member.