Patents by Inventor Etienne Rochat
Etienne Rochat has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11867954Abstract: An assembly assembled by a plurality of sections put together, wherein the section includes an elongated structure having a left end and a right end, an optical fiber having a left end and a right end and extending from its left end to its right end so that: the left ends of the elongated structure and of the optical fiber are located on the same left side of the section, and the right ends of the elongated structure and of the optical fiber are located on the same right side of the section, each end of the optical fiber is enclosed in a junction box, the box of the right or left end of the optical fiber of the section being assembled with the junction box of the left end or right end of the optical fiber of another similar section to optically connect the optical fibers of two sections.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: OMNISENS SAInventor: Etienne Rochat
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Publication number: 20230349751Abstract: The disclosure concerns a device (101) for distributed sensing comprising: a pump generator (1) for generating an optical pump signal, a pump splitter (2) configured to split the pump signal in a number N of channels (3), each channel comprising an optical fiber (31) or a connector (32) arranged for connecting an optical fiber, a controller configured to control the pump splitter, an optical receiver (4) for receiving a backscattered signal from the optical fiber or from the connector of each channel. The pump splitter comprises a gating system comprising a gate (21) for each channel among the N channels. Each gate is associated to a given channel and has an open state allowing the pump signal to go from the pump generator to the optical fiber or the connector of the associated channel, and a closed state for which the pump signal cannot go from the pump generator to the optical fiber or the connector of the associated channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Etienne ROCHAT, Alexandre Sydney Robert GOY
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Publication number: 20230141958Abstract: An assembly assembled by a plurality of sections put together, wherein the section includes an elongated structure having a left end and a right end, an optical fiber having a left end and a right end and extending from its left end to its right end so that: the left ends of the elongated structure and of the optical fiber are located on the same left side of the section, and the right ends of the elongated structure and of the optical fiber are located on the same right side of the section, each end of the optical fiber is enclosed in a junction box, the box of the right or left end of the optical fiber of the section being assembled with the junction box of the left end or right end of the optical fiber of another similar section to optically connect the optical fibers of two sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventor: Etienne ROCHAT
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Patent number: 11265079Abstract: A process including the following steps: injecting in an optical fiber a first optical pump at a first optical frequency that evolves in time or not, and a second optical pump at a second optical frequency that evolves in time or not, the first optical frequency and the second optical frequency being different at each given time; a first detection of a first Rayleigh backscattered signal at the first optical frequency from the optical fiber; a second detection, separated from the first detection, of a second Rayleigh backscattered signal at the second optical frequency from the optical fiber; and analyzing the detected first Rayleigh backscattered signal and the detected second Rayleigh backscattered signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: OMNISENS SAInventor: Etienne Rochat
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Publication number: 20210359755Abstract: A process including the following steps: injecting in an optical fiber a first optical pump at a first optical frequency that evolves in time or not, and a second optical pump at a second optical frequency that evolves in time or not, the first optical frequency and the second optical frequency being different at each given time; a first detection of a first Rayleigh backscattered signal at the first optical frequency from the optical fiber, a second detection, separated from the first detection, of a second Rayleigh backscattered signal at the second optical frequency from the optical fiber; and analyzing the detected first Rayleigh backscattered signal and the detected second Rayleigh backscattered signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2018Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventor: Etienne ROCHAT
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Patent number: 10845221Abstract: A device for calibrating distributing sensing technologies is presented. The device includes an optical fiber, a first input arranged for receiving at least one optical pulse and injecting this at least one optical pulse towards the optical fiber, an output arranged for receiving a backscattered signal generated in the optical fiber. The optical fiber includes at least one event, each event being a part of the optical fiber and having at least one modified physical state or property that is different from the physical state or property of the rest of the optical fiber. The device includes structure creating different optical paths for the at least one optical pulse, the different optical paths having different lengths, each optical path passing through the at least one event. The invention also relates to a process implemented in the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: OMNISENS SAInventors: Jacques Morel, Etienne Rochat
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Publication number: 20190170547Abstract: A device for calibrating distributing sensing technologies is presented. The device includes an optical fiber, a first input arranged for receiving at least one optical pulse and injecting this at least one optical pulse towards the optical fiber, an output arranged for receiving a backscattered signal generated in the optical fiber. The optical fiber includes at least one event, each event being a part of the optical fiber and having at least one modified physical state or property that is different from the physical state or property of the rest of the optical fiber. The device includes structure creating different optical paths for the at least one optical pulse, the different optical paths having different lengths, each optical path passing through the at least one event. The invention also relates to a process implemented in the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Jacques MOREL, Etienne ROCHAT
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Patent number: 10067013Abstract: A method of determining deformation in a structure around which a sensing optical fiber is helically wound, includes performing a distributed measurement at a point along the fiber, to obtain a frequency gain spectrum at that point. Performing a distributed measurement includes, adjusting a pulse width of a pulse pump signal to achieve a predefined spatial resolution and providing the pulse pump signal with adjusted pulse width in the fiber to generate scattering, which is used to obtain the frequency gain spectrum. Identifying at least two curves which, when added together, best fit the frequency gain spectrum. Identifying the frequency at which peaks of the curves occur. Determining deformation in the structure by determining deformation in the fiber at the point using a frequency at which a peak of an identified curve occurs. The amount of deformation in the fiber corresponds to the amount of deformation in the structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: OMNISENS SAInventors: Fabien Briffod, Etienne Rochat
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Patent number: 9804001Abstract: Brillouin optical distributed sensing device and method is provided and includes a structure for generating an optical pulsed signal and an optical probe signal. The structure includes a circulation component for directing the optical pulsed signal to a sensing optical fiber, and directing an optical measurement signal with Brillouin scattering information arising from the sensing optical fiber toward a detection apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: OMNISENS S.A.Inventors: Marc Nikles, Etienne Rochat, Fabien Briffod, Jean-Charles Montavon, Chin Sanghoon
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Patent number: 9726558Abstract: A method for performing distributed pressure sensing including the steps of, forming a grating in a birefringent fiber, measuring the birefringence distribution along the length of the birefringent fiber, and determining pressure present along the length of the fiber using the measured the birefringence distribution. The invention also relates to a corresponding sensing device.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: OMNISENS SAInventors: Sanghoon Chin, Etienne Rochat
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Publication number: 20170102278Abstract: A method of determining deformation in a structure around which a sensing optical fiber is helically wound, includes performing a distributed measurement at a point along the fiber, to obtain a frequency gain spectrum at that point. Performing a distributed measurement includes, adjusting a pulse width of a pulse pump signal to achieve a predefined spatial resolution and providing the pulse pump signal with adjusted pulse width in the fiber to generate scattering, which is used to obtain the frequency gain spectrum. Identifying at least two curves which, when added together, best fit the frequency gain spectrum. Identifying the frequency at which peaks of the curves occur. Determining deformation in the structure by determining deformation in the fiber at the point using a frequency at which a peak of an identified curve occurs. The amount of deformation in the fiber corresponds to the amount of deformation in the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Fabien Briffod, Etienne Rochat
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Publication number: 20160341612Abstract: A sensing cable designed for distributed pressure sensing includes one or more optical fibres which have a continuous weak fiber Bragg grating permanently written inside a core of the optical fiber. The sensing cable is configured so that pressure applied to the sensing cable changes birefringence in the one or more optical fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2014Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Ion Bals, Marc Nikles, Etienne Rochat
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Patent number: 9500596Abstract: According to the invention, these aims are achieved by means of a sensor, suitable for sensing one or more properties of one or more structures, the sensor comprising, a first optical propagation path which is configurable to cooperate with a structure whose properties are to be sensed; a second optical propagation path which is configurable to cooperate with a structure whose properties are to be sensed; a third optical propagation path; a means for amplifying a signal which propagates in the third optical propagation path, so that the signal is amplified before it begins propagation along the second optical propagation path, and a means to prevent the propagation of signals from the second optical propagation path to the third optical propagation path. There is further provided a corresponding method of sensing.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: OMNISENS SAInventors: Julien Gosteli, Fabien Ravet, Etienne Rochat
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Publication number: 20160025584Abstract: A sensing cable including one or more optical fibers and a coating which is provided on the one or more optical fibers. The coating is configured so that pressure applied to the sensing cable, along one or more axes, induces less lateral compression on the one or more optical fibers than pressure applied to the sensing cable along one or more other axes so as to change birefringence in the one or more optical fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: OMNISENS SAInventors: Ion Bals, Marc Nikles, Etienne Rochat
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Publication number: 20160025524Abstract: A Brillouin optical distributed sensing device and method includes a structure for generating an optical pulsed signal and an optical probe signal. Includes is a circulation component for directing the optical pulsed signal to a sensing optical fiber and for directing an optical measurement signal with Brillouin scattering information arising from the sensing optical fiber toward a detection apparatus. Also included is an optical routing component for configuring the device to allow generating: (i) according to a first configuration, an optical measurement signal with stimulated Brillouin scattering information resulting from the interaction of the optical pulsed signal, and an optical probe signal propagating in the sensing optical fiber in a direction opposite to the optical pulsed signal, or (ii) according to a second configuration, an optical measurement signal with spontaneous Brillouin scattering information resulting from the propagation of the optical pulsed signal in the sensing optical fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: OMNISENS S.A.Inventors: Marc NIKLES, Etienne ROCHAT, Fabien BRIFFOD, Jean-Charles MONTAVON, Chin SANGHOON
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Publication number: 20150219509Abstract: A method for performing distributed pressure sensing including the steps of, forming a grating in a birefringent fiber, measuring the birefringence distribution along the length of the birefringent fiber, and determining pressure present along the length of the fiber using the measured the birefringence distribution. The invention also relates to a corresponding sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: Omnisens SAInventors: Sanghoon Chin, Etienne Rochat
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Publication number: 20140152982Abstract: According to the invention, these aims are achieved by means of a sensor, suitable for sensing one or more properties of one or more structures, the sensor comprising, a first optical propagation path which is configurable to cooperate with a structure whose properties are to be sensed; a second optical propagation path which is configurable to cooperate with a structure whose properties are to be sensed; a third optical propagation path; a means for amplifying a signal which propagates in the third optical propagation path, so that the signal is amplified before it begins propagation along the second optical propagation path, and a means to prevent the propagation of signals from the second optical propagation path to the third optical propagation path. There is further provided a corresponding method of sensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2011Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: OMNISENS SAInventors: Julien Gosteli, Fabien Ravet, Etienne Rochat
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Patent number: 6901187Abstract: A fiber laser sensor has a fiber laser (FL) with two reflectors in the form of a first and a second Bragg grating (4, 5) and a fiber segment (3) arranged in between. The first Bragg grating (4) is arranged in a temperature-sensitive fashion. The second Bragg grating is a chirped Bragg grating (5) whose central wavelength is stabilized with regard to temperature changes. By means of this sensor, temperature and pressure can simultaneously be measured separately from one another, beat frequencies of orthogonal polarization eigenmodes of the fiber laser (FL) being a measure of the pressure and beat frequencies of longitudinal modes being a measure of the temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls LimitedInventors: Karim Haroud, Etienne Rochat, Rene Dändliker
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Publication number: 20040071400Abstract: A fiber laser sensor has a fiber laser (FL) with two reflectors in the form of a first and a second Bragg grating (4, 5) and a fiber segment (3) arranged in between. The first Bragg grating (4) is arranged in a temperature-sensitive fashion. The second Bragg grating is a chirped Bragg grating (5) whose central wavelength is stabilized with regard to temperature changes. By means of this sensor, temperature and pressure can simultaneously be measured separately from one another, beat frequencies of orthogonal polarization eigenmodes of the fiber laser (FL) being a measure of the pressure and beat frequencies of longitudinal modes being a measure of the temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Karim Haroud, Etienne Rochat, Rene Dandliker
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Patent number: 6018602Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the space-based operation of quantum-optical amplifiers embodied as optical waveguides, while taking the special conditions to be found in space into consideration. An amplifier housing 2 filled with nitrogen has a cutout into which a plan-parallel quartz glass plate 4 has been fitted, through which light beams can enter and leave the housing. The amplifier housing 2 rests on heat-insulating supports 3a, 3b and is temperature-stabilized by a Peltier element 5. The amplifier housing 2 is filled with nitrogen in order to achieve operating conditions similar to those on earth.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1998Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Oerlikon Contraves AGInventors: Jean-Michel Mayor, Etienne Rochat, Karim Haroud