Patent ID: 6997603
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: G01K

Abstract:
1. An instrumented fiber optic tow cable system for measuring a temperature profile of a fluid, which comprises: a low strain cable having a core, said core having an interior and an exterior; a jacket concentric with and in contact with the exterior of said core, said jacket having an exterior; a plurality of first armor wires radially spaced around and in contact with the exterior of said jacket and defining at least one radially located layer circumferentially concentric with said jacket; a plurality of optical fibers spaced around the exterior of said jacket interspersed among said plurality of armor wires in the outermost radially located layer of first said at least one radially located layer of said plurality of armor wires to expose the optical fibers to the temperature of said fluid, wherein each of said plurality of optical fibers is surrounded by a plurality of steel armor wires of smaller diameter than that of said plurality of first armor wires; a light source arranged to send light signals to said plurality of optical fibers, which scatter said light signals according to the temperature profile of said fluid; receiver means for receiving the scattered light signals from said plurality of optical fibers; and processing means for analyzing said scattered light signals received by said receiver means to determine a temperature profile of said fluid.