Patent ID: 8418529
Filing Date: 2013-04-16
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A device for transporting a substance, the device comprising: a first pipe configured to contain the substance; an optical fiber connected to and extending along an axial direction of the pipe; several detection members spaced along a length of the optical fiber, each detection member including: a sensitive part having a respective reflection spectrum that varies with a presence of the substance which is transported and thus being optically sensitive to the presence of the substance, and a reference sensitive part optically insensitive to the presence of the substance; a control device including: a light source positioned and operable to emit light in the respective reflection spectrum of each detection member, and a light receiver positioned and operable to detect a light amplitude in the respective reflection spectrum of each sensitive part and the reference sensitive part of each detection member; an analysis module operable to determine a presence of a leak of the substance from the first pipe based on the light amplitude detected by the light receiver; a thermal insulation sheath coating the first pipe, the optical fiber passing through the sheath; and a second pipe surrounding the insulation sheath and forming with the sheath a passage communicating with the sensitive part of each detection member; wherein a pumping device is operable to cause a flow of inert gas in the passage, wherein the reference part of each detection member is insulated from direct communication with the flow of the inert gas in the passage.