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Title: Geomembrane barriers using integral fiber optics to monitor barrier integrity

Abstract

This invention provides a geomembrane or geotextile with embedded optical sensors that are used to monitor the status of containment site barriers. Fiber optic strands are used to form the sensors that can detect and monitor conditions at the sites such as breaches, slope creep, subsidence, leachate levels, fires, and types of materials present or leaking from the site. The strands are integral to the membrane or textile materials. The geosythetic membrane is deployed at the site in a fashion similar to carpet laying. Edges of the membrane or textile are joined to form a liner and the ends of the membrane or textile become the connection zones for obtaining signals from the sensors. A connection interface with a control system to generate Optical Time Delay Response or other light signals for transmission to the optic fiber strands or sensors and also to receive reflected signals from the sensors is included in the system. Software to interpret the sensor signals can be used in the geosythetic monitoring system.

Inventors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
870652
Patent Number(s):
5567932
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01M - TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01V - GEOPHYSICS
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
geomembrane; barriers; integral; fiber; optics; monitor; barrier; integrity; provides; geotextile; embedded; optical; sensors; status; containment; site; optic; strands; form; detect; conditions; sites; breaches; slope; creep; subsidence; leachate; levels; fires; types; materials; leaking; membrane; textile; geosythetic; deployed; fashion; similar; carpet; laying; edges; joined; liner; connection; zones; obtaining; signals; interface; control; generate; time; delay; response; light; transmission; receive; reflected; included; software; interpret; sensor; monitoring; sensor signals; optical sensors; optic fiber; fiber optics; time delay; fiber optic; light signal; light signals; optical sensor; reflected signal; textile materials; optical time; textile material; sensor signal; containment site; /250/385/

Citation Formats

Staller, George E, and Wemple, Robert P. Geomembrane barriers using integral fiber optics to monitor barrier integrity. United States: N. p., 1996. Web.
Staller, George E, & Wemple, Robert P. Geomembrane barriers using integral fiber optics to monitor barrier integrity. United States.
Staller, George E, and Wemple, Robert P. Mon . "Geomembrane barriers using integral fiber optics to monitor barrier integrity". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/870652.
@article{osti_870652,
title = {Geomembrane barriers using integral fiber optics to monitor barrier integrity},
author = {Staller, George E and Wemple, Robert P},
abstractNote = {This invention provides a geomembrane or geotextile with embedded optical sensors that are used to monitor the status of containment site barriers. Fiber optic strands are used to form the sensors that can detect and monitor conditions at the sites such as breaches, slope creep, subsidence, leachate levels, fires, and types of materials present or leaking from the site. The strands are integral to the membrane or textile materials. The geosythetic membrane is deployed at the site in a fashion similar to carpet laying. Edges of the membrane or textile are joined to form a liner and the ends of the membrane or textile become the connection zones for obtaining signals from the sensors. A connection interface with a control system to generate Optical Time Delay Response or other light signals for transmission to the optic fiber strands or sensors and also to receive reflected signals from the sensors is included in the system. Software to interpret the sensor signals can be used in the geosythetic monitoring system.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996},
month = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996}
}