Abstract: A containment system for installation internally along a conduit, for co-locating at least one sensing element and one or more communication media within the conduit, the containment system comprising: an elongate flexible body mountable on a wall of the conduit to extend longitudinally along the conduit, the body including: an elongate sensor cavity, extending longitudinally along the body, for receiving the at least one sensing element; and a shield portion including one or more elongate channels, extending longitudinally along the shield portion, each channel for receiving one or inure communication media.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing strain in an optical fibre proportional to dynamic pressure fluctuation in the surrounding substance. The apparatus includes a diaphragm having a first face that, in use, is exposed to dynamic pressure fluctuations in the substance, and a second, opposite face, the diaphragm being adapted to flex in response to dynamic pressure fluctuations applied to it. One or more optical fibres are mounted on either the first or the second face of the diaphragm, whereby strain is produced in the fibre when the diaphragm flexes.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring fluid flow in an open channel system, using an optical fibre that extends along at least a portion of the open channel system within the channel below the surface of the fluid. The method comprising sending light pulses into the sensor optical fibre, receiving backscattered light from the sensor optical fibre, and analysing properties of the backscattered light to obtain data representing strain along the sensor fibre. The strain data can be processed to derive information about the fluid flow, such as fluid depth, flow velocity and flow volume. A containment system for the optical fibre sensor may be included to protect the fibre and convert the pressure of a fluid in the open channel to a strain in the fibre. The temperature of the fluid may also be measured and temperature compensation of the measured strain carried out.

Abstract: A containment system for installation internally along a conduit, for co-locating at least one sensing element and one or more communication media within the conduit, the containment system comprising: an elongate flexible body mountable on a wall of the conduit to extend longitudinally along the conduit, the body including: an elongate sensor cavity, extending longitudinally along the body, for receiving the at least one sensing element; and a shield portion including one or more elongate channels, extending longitudinally along the shield portion, each channel for receiving one or more communication media.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing strain in an optical fibre proportional to dynamic pressure fluctuation in the surrounding substance. The apparatus includes a diaphragm having a first face that, in use, is exposed to dynamic pressure fluctuations in the substance, and a second, opposite face, the diaphragm being adapted to flex in response to dynamic pressure fluctuations applied to it. One or more optical fibres are mounted on either the first or the second face of the diaphragm, whereby strain is produced in the fibre when the diaphragm flexes.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring fluid flow in an open channel system, using an optical fibre that extends along at least a portion of the open channel system within the channel below the surface of the fluid. The method comprising sending light pulses into the sensor optical fibre, receiving backscattered light from the sensor optical fibre, and analysing properties of the backscattered light to obtain data representing strain along the sensor fibre. The strain data can be processed to derive information about the fluid flow, such as fluid depth, flow velocity and flow volume. A containment system for the optical fibre sensor may be included to protect the fibre and convert the pressure of a fluid in the open channel to a strain in the fibre. The temperature of the fluid may also be measured and temperature compensation of the measured strain carried out.