A fluid detection system includes a wicking material to draw fluid away from a first location with space limitations and proximate to a fluid device or a fluid interface. The wicking material draws the fluid to a remote fluid indicator at a second location. Contact between fluid and the remote fluid indicator produces a detectable alteration to the remote fluid indicator, and a non-contact optical sensor detects the alteration.

A method of distributed fibre optic sensing is described. In an example, a series of interrogations are launched into an optical fibre, each interrogation comprising interrogating radiation in at least one pulse pair, wherein the pulses of a pulse pair are introduced to the optical fibre with a time interval therebetween. Radiation backscattered therefrom is sampled, so as to obtain at least one sample from each interrogation. Phase modulation in the samples is determined and components of the phase modulation which are below a threshold frequency are isolated. Such a method of sensing could be used, for example, to monitor changes in temperature of the optical fibre.

A system for detecting leakage of a liquid supply pipe includes a pipe casing for enclosing an end portion of the liquid supply pipe adjoined to a nozzle and a sensor system configured to detect presence of a liquid leaked from the liquid supply pipe at the end portion. The sensor system is in alignment with the end portion of the liquid supply pipe.

The invention provides a method of and an arrangement for detecting leakage from a pipeline installed in a substrate. The arrangement includes a fibre-optic cable positioned in the substrate in the vicinity of the pipeline and a strain monitoring arrangement configured to monitor the strain in the fibre-optic cable and to detect localized changes in the monitored strain. A processor is provided to which the strain monitoring arrangement is connected and which is configured to determine whether the detected change in strain is indicative of a leak in the pipeline and to generate a signal in response thereto.

An apparatus, method and system are set forth for detection of fluids using Bragg grating sensors, wherein the Bragg grating sensing element comprises an optical fiber having a Bragg grating inscribed therein characterized by optical properties that are dependent upon the periodicity and effective refractive index of the grating, and a package for subjecting the Bragg grating to a change in strain when contacted by a fluid such that periodicity and effective refractive index of the grating changes, whereby when interrogated with laser light any such change in periodicity and effective refractive index may be detected.

Disclosed are embodiments of hydrocarbon leak detection cables that utilize time domain reflectometry to indicate the location of changes in impedance in a hydrocarbon leak detection cable. In addition, an embodiment of a hydrocarbon leak detection optical fiber is disclosed.

Disclosed are embodiments of hydrocarbon leak detection cables that utilize time domain reflectometry to indicate the location of changes in impedance in a hydrocarbon leak detection cable. In addition, an embodiment of a hydrocarbon leak detection optical fiber is disclosed.

A fluid detection system includes a wicking material to draw fluid away from a first location with space limitations and proximate to a fluid device or a fluid interface. The wicking material draws the fluid to a remote fluid indicator at a second location. Contact between fluid and the remote fluid indicator produces a detectable alteration to the remote fluid indicator, and a non-contact optical sensor detects the alteration.

Distributed fiber optic chemical and radiation sensors formed by coating the fibers with certain types of response materials are provided. For distributed chemical sensors, the coatings are reactive with the targets; the heat absorbed or released during a reaction will cause a local temperature change on the fiber. For distributed radiation sensors, coating a fiber with a scintillator enhances sensitivity toward thermal neutrons, for example, by injecting light into the fiber. The luminescent components in these materials are taken from conjugated polymeric and oligomeric dyes, metal organic frameworks with sorbed dyes, and two-photon-absorbing semiconductors. The compositions may exhibit strong gamma rejection. Other scintillators combining luminescent materials with neutron converters are available. With a multiple-layer coating, it may be possible to identify the presence of both neutrons and gamma rays, for example. Coatings may be applied during manufacture or in the field.

A system for detecting leakage of a liquid supply pipe includes a pipe casing for enclosing an end portion of the liquid supply pipe adjoined to a nozzle and a sensor system configured to detect presence of a liquid leaked from the liquid supply pipe at the end portion. The sensor system is in alignment with the end portion of the liquid supply pipe.