US 12,135,235 B2
Pipeline condition sensing for protecting against theft of a substance flowing through a pipeline
David Verl Brower, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to Astro Technology Group LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Astro Technology Group, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on May 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/313,521.
Application 18/313,521 is a continuation of application No. 17/730,619, filed on Jun. 10, 2022, granted, now 11,698,291.
Prior Publication US 2023/0400349 A1, Dec. 14, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01H 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01H 9/004 (2013.01) 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of protecting against theft of a substance flowing through a pipeline, comprising:
receiving at least one signal outputted from at least one fiber optic sensor mounted on the pipeline, wherein the pipeline includes a flow passage through which fluid material flows;
analyzing the at least one received signal to identify at least a portion of the at least one received signal indicating a potential flow affecting event for the fluid material within the flow passage;
correlating the at least a portion of the at least one received signal indicating the potential flow affecting event to at least one anomalistic reference signal characterizing at least one activity indicative of theft of a substance flowing through the flow passage; and
outputting a signal conveying information indicative of the at least one activity indicative of theft.