SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTICAL SCANNING OF FLUID TRANSPORT PIPELINES

摘要

Systems and methods for reflectance imaging using visible and/or non-visible light and optical sensors in a probe for use in a fluid transport pipeline are provided. One or more light beams may be emitted towards a bore-defining surface of a pipe wall. One or more first optical sensors may sense first image data based on light scattered by incidence of the light beams on the bore-defining surface. The first image data may be used to determine a first distance value corresponding to a distance of the bore-defining surface from a first reference point. The first image data may be used to determine a plurality of speckle patterns from the first image data, each speckle pattern associated with light scattered from light-scattering particles contained in the fluid at a corresponding time, and to determine a flow direction of the fluid based on the plurality of speckle patterns.

主权项

1. A method for optical imaging a bore-defining surface of an axially extending fluid transport pipe during flow of fluid through a bore thereof, the method comprising:
directing a first plurality of light beams toward the bore-defining surface; sensing, at a first optical sensor, first image data based on light scattered by incidence of the first plurality of light beams on the bore-defining surface; determining, based on the first image data, a first distance value corresponding to a distance of the bore-defining surface from a first reference point; determining a plurality of speckle patterns from the first image data, each speckle pattern associated with light scattered from light-scattering particles contained in the fluid at a corresponding time; and determining a flow direction of the fluid based on the plurality of speckle patterns.