Method for quickly locating leakage position of indoor wall embedded water supply pipe and detection equipment

Abstract

This invention provides a method and detection device for rapidly locating leaks in concealed water pipes embedded in indoor walls. The method includes the following steps: selecting a suspected leak point on the wall as the center point and measuring the average sound level value of the center point; using the center point as a reference, selecting multiple measuring points around it in a geometric distribution, and measuring the average sound level value of each measuring point; if the sound level values ​​of all measuring points are equal and all less than the sound level value of the center point, then the center point is determined to correspond to the axis of the actual leak point; otherwise, a new center point position is estimated based on the relationship between the sound level values; iterative testing is performed using the new center point until the condition that the sound level values ​​of all measuring points are equal and all less than the sound level value of the center point is met. This invention dynamically adjusts the center point through iterative testing, avoiding the problems of blind excavation or large-area wall removal in traditional methods, and shortening the detection time. Furthermore, it does not require damage to the wall structure, reducing repair costs and the impact on the living environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pipeline system transportation technology, and more specifically, to a method and detection device for quickly locating the leakage location of a water pipe buried in an indoor wall. Background Technology

[0002] Urban water supply systems, particularly household water pipe networks, commonly use polypropylene random copolymer pipes (PPR pipes). During home renovations, grooves are often cut into structures such as concrete shear walls and lightweight brick masonry walls to place the PPR pipes. The grooves are then sealed with concrete or other materials, burying the PPR water pipes inside the interior walls. Over long-term operation, PPR pipes may leak, leading to wall soaking, water accumulation on the floor, and water loss. In severe cases, this can even cause electrical hazards, significantly impacting quality of life and safety.

[0003] In many cases, due to gaps created by grooving and decoration materials, the initial wet spots on the walls and floors are often not the locations of pipe leaks. Removing the surface of the wall decoration is highly destructive and results in significant additional losses. Sometimes, due to the layout of the house, it is also difficult to carry out large-scale removal operations, and tracing the pipe is not easy.

[0004] Considering the potential differences in dielectric constant and resistivity between concrete and lightweight brick materials before and after wetting, even if high-precision advanced detection equipment such as ultra-high-precision ground-penetrating radar and high-density electromagnetic induction generators were capable of detecting wetting points, it would still far exceed the capabilities of typical households and properties. It should be said that there is currently no practical method to quickly and accurately locate leaks in PPR pipes buried in interior walls. Summary of the Invention

[0005] (a) Technical problems to be solved The technical problem to be solved by this invention is how to quickly and accurately locate the axial position of the leak point of the buried water pipe without damaging the wall surface, so as to minimize repair costs and time and avoid additional losses caused by blind excavation.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for quickly locating the leakage location of a concealed water pipe in an indoor wall, comprising the following steps: S1. Select a suspected leak point on the wall as the center point and measure the average sound level at that center point; S2. Using the center point as a reference, select multiple measuring points around it, and arrange the multiple measuring points in a geometric distribution around the center point to measure the average sound level value of each measuring point. S3. If the sound level values ​​at each measuring point are equal and all less than the sound level value at the center point, then the center point is determined to correspond to the axis where the actual leakage point is located; otherwise, the new center point position is estimated based on the relationship between the sound level values. S4. Repeat steps S2 and S3 with the new center point to perform iterative testing until the sound level values ​​at each measuring point are equal and all less than the sound level value at the center point. When the condition is met, the final center point is the axis where the leakage point is located.

[0007] The aforementioned technical solution dynamically adjusts the center point through iterative testing, avoiding the problems of blind excavation or large-scale wall removal in traditional methods, and significantly shortening the detection time (usually completed within minutes). Based on acoustic measurement, it does not require damage to the wall structure, reducing repair costs and impact on the living environment. Utilizing the relationship between sound level values ​​for logical judgment ensures the scientific nature and repeatability of the positioning process, making it suitable for daily use in homes and properties. The core of this method lies in combining the laws of acoustic propagation with a geometric approximation algorithm, achieving an efficient transformation from a "suspected point" to a "precise axis."

[0008] Preferably, the geometric distribution is a regular polygonal distribution.

[0009] Preferably, the regular polygonal distribution is an equilateral triangle distribution, and the number of measuring points is three. In the above technical solution, three points define a plane, and the equilateral triangle distribution is the most efficient configuration with the fewest measuring points, reducing the number of measurements and operational complexity, and is especially suitable for narrow walls or walls with many obstacles. Only three measuring points are needed to complete one round of testing, reducing equipment usage time and energy consumption.

[0010] Preferably, in step S3, estimating the new center point location based on the magnitude of sound level values ​​includes: sorting multiple measuring points from largest to smallest sound level value, selecting the top three points with the largest sound level values, calculating the circumcenter of the triangle formed by these three points as the estimated location, and taking the midpoint of the line connecting the circumcenter and the point with the largest sound level value as the new center point. In the above technical solution, by calculating the circumcenter and selecting the midpoint, the iteration direction is directed towards the region with the largest sound level value, reducing unnecessary test rounds and allowing the leakage point to be located within an average of 3-5 rounds. Prioritizing points with larger sound level values ​​highlights the dominant role of the leakage signal and suppresses the influence of low-frequency environmental noise. This method combines geometric and acoustic data, and can quickly correct the path even if the initial suspected point deviates from the actual leakage point.

[0011] Preferably, the sound level value is the average sound level over a 10-second measurement period. In the above technical solution, time weighting reduces the risk of misjudgment and ensures that the comparison results are based on steady-state acoustic signals, rather than transient events. Fixing the measurement time standardizes the process and facilitates consistent application across different users or scenarios.

[0012] Secondly, this invention also provides a detection device for rapidly locating the leak in a concealed water pipe embedded in an indoor wall, comprising a stethoscope, a sound guide tube, and a digital sound level meter. The stethoscope is used to collect sound at the measuring point, the sound guide tube connects the stethoscope to the digital sound level meter, and the digital sound level meter displays the sound level value. In the above technical solution, the device components (such as the stethoscope and the digital sound level meter) are commercially available common parts, with low cost (total cost can be controlled within 100 yuan), far lower than high-end detection instruments, making it suitable for home or property management. The lightweight design allows for single-person operation, the sound guide tube connection simplifies the sound transmission path, and the digital sound level meter provides intuitive readings, requiring no professional training to operate. The device is specifically customized for the method, ensuring the matching of acoustic acquisition and display, and improving overall detection efficiency.

[0013] Preferably, the stethoscope head is a diaphragm stethoscope head. In the above technical solution, the diaphragm stethoscope head can effectively filter low-frequency environmental noise and focus on the high-frequency flow-induced vibrations generated by leakage, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0014] (III) Beneficial Effects The above-described technical solution of the present invention has at least the following advantages: 1. Non-destructive testing: Acoustic measurements are used to avoid damaging the wall surface and reduce repair costs.

[0015] 2. Fast and accurate: Using the iterative geometric approximation method, the axis of the leak point can be located within minutes with a small error range.

[0016] 3. Easy to operate: The equipment is lightweight and can be operated without professional training.

[0017] 4. Low cost: The detection equipment is composed of common components, and its cost is far lower than that of high-end detection instruments.

[0018] 5. Wide adaptability: Applicable to various wall materials such as concrete and lightweight bricks. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the detection device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation principle of the method for quickly locating leaks in concealed water pipes in indoor walls, as provided in this embodiment of the invention.

[0022] The labels for the attached figures are as follows: 1. Auscultation head; 2. Sound tube; 3. Digital sound level meter. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be located directly on or indirectly on the other component. When a component is referred to as "connected to" another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to the other component.

[0025] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating relative importance or the number of technical features. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. The specific implementation of this invention will be described in more detail below with reference to specific embodiments: like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a detection device, including a stethoscope head 1, a sound guide tube 2, and a digital sound level meter 3. The stethoscope head 1 is used to collect sound at a measuring point, the sound guide tube 2 connects the stethoscope head 1 and the digital sound level meter 3, and the digital sound level meter 3 is used to display the sound level value. Specifically, the stethoscope head 1 is a diaphragm stethoscope head capable of filtering low-frequency noise, the digital sound level meter 3 is a handheld digital sound level meter with time-weighted function, and the two ends of the sound guide tube 2 are respectively sleeved on the outlet of the stethoscope head 1 and the outside of the microphone of the digital sound level meter 3.

[0027] Example 1 like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, this invention provides a method for quickly locating the leakage location of a concealed water pipe in an indoor wall, including the following steps: S1. Locate the leakage and wetting point O0 (the location on the wall where water seeps) on the indoor wall, and use it as the circumcenter of the equilateral triangle to be tested for the first time. Place the stethoscope head 1 of the detection device on the surface of the leakage and wetting point O0, and measure the average sound level VO0 over 10 seconds.

[0028] S2. Centering on the leakage and wetting point O0, draw a circle with a certain radius around it, according to the size of the free space on the wall. Select three measuring points A0, B0, and C0 on the circle at a 120° angle. These three measuring points A0, B0, and C0 form an equilateral triangle with O0 as the circumcenter. Place the stethoscope head 1 of the detection device on the surface of the three measuring points respectively, and measure the average sound level VA0, VB0, and VC0 at the three measuring points within 10 seconds.

[0029] S3. Compare the average sound levels VO0, VA0, VB0, and VC0: (1) If VA0=VB0=VC0 and both are less than VO0, then the leakage point O0 is the axis where the leakage point is located.

[0030] (2) If the above conditions are not met, arrange the measured values ​​in descending order of the average sound level, and estimate the circumcenter position O1′ of the triangle formed by the three points with the largest values. Find the midpoint on the line connecting O1′ and the point where the maximum value of the first round is located, and take the midpoint as the location O1 of the axis of the suspected leakage point in the second round of testing. With O1 as the center, draw a circle with a certain radius, and select three new measuring points A1, B1 and C1 on the circle with an included angle of 120°. These three measuring points form an equilateral triangle with O1 as the circumcenter.

[0031] S4. Using the same method as in the first round (S1 and S2), measure the average sound levels of the outer center O1 and the three corner points A1, B1, and C1, and compare the four average sound levels VO1, VA1, VB1, and VC1. Using the same method as in S3, find the suspected leakage axis location O2 and three new measuring points A2, B2, and C2 for the next round of testing. Continue in this manner until the nth round. If VA... n =VB n =VC n And all are less than VO n Then the outer center O n This is the axis where the leakage point is located (n is an integer, n>1).

[0032] Specifically, for ease of use, tap water pipes are subjected to relatively high pressure, generally reaching nearly 200kPa-300kPa, equivalent to a water head of 20-30 meters. PPR pipes, however, have very narrow defects. They are not initially cast into the wall but are grooved and embedded later, leaving some gaps between the pipe and the wall surface during subsequent finishing. When a leak occurs, high-pressure water passing through these thin-walled PPR pipe defects and entering these gaps generates flow-induced vibrations, producing a significant high-frequency sound. Because concrete and lightweight bricks are solids, sound travels much faster than air. Therefore, the sound propagates primarily along the wall, with little diffusing into the air, which is why this sound is difficult to hear in the air. The sound diffuses outwards along a straight line passing through the leak point and perpendicular to the wall, radiating outwards to columns of different radii. On columns of the same radius, the sound intensity is roughly the same; however, as the column area increases, the sound intensity gradually decreases. Therefore, the further away from the central axis passing through the leak point, the weaker the sound will be. Based on the relationship between the cylindrical surface area and the radius, the intensity of the sound is linearly positively correlated with the distance from the central axis.

[0033] Utilizing the aforementioned sound propagation principles, a stethoscope probe can be conveniently used as both a receiver and amplifier. Connecting the stethoscope tubing to a commercially available digital sound level meter probe creates a simple, visually detectable sound intensity detection device. After a leak occurs, the detection device collects sound at the suspected point on the wall and at the three corner points of an equilateral triangle centered at the suspected point. By comparing the sound intensity at each point, the device dynamically adjusts the next set of sampling positions, continuously moving the outer center of each set closer to the suspected leak point. After several rounds of sampling, comparison, and adjustment, the leak location in the PPR pipe can be conveniently and non-destructively located. This minimizes the area requiring excavation and damage, creating conditions for repair.

[0034] Example 2 This invention provides a method for quickly locating the leak in an indoor wall-mounted water pipe, comprising the following steps: S1. Locate the leakage and wetting point O0 (the location on the wall where water seeps) on the indoor wall, and use it as the circumcenter of the equilateral triangle to be tested for the first time. Place the stethoscope head 1 of the detection device on the surface of the leakage and wetting point O0, and measure the average sound level VO0 over 10 seconds.

[0035] S2. Centering on the leakage and wetting point O0, draw a circle with a certain radius around it, according to the size of the free space on the wall. Select four measuring points A0, B0, C0, and D0 on the circle at a 90° angle. These four measuring points A0, B0, C0, and D0 form a regular quadrilateral with O0 as its circumcenter. Place the stethoscope head 1 of the detection device on the surface of each of the four measuring points and measure the average sound level A0, B0, C0, and D0 at each of the four measuring points over 10 seconds.

[0036] S3. Compare the average sound levels VO0, A0, B0, C0, and D0: (1) If VA0=VB0=VC0=VD0 and all are less than VO0, then the leakage point O0 is the axis where the leakage point is located.

[0037] (2) If the above conditions are not met, arrange the measured values ​​in descending order of sound level average value, and estimate the circumcenter position O1′ of the quadrilateral formed by the four points with the largest values. Find the midpoint on the line connecting O1′ and the point where the first round maximum value is located, and take the midpoint as the location O1 of the axis of the suspected leakage point in the second round of testing. With O1 as the center, draw a circle with a certain radius, and select four new measuring points A0, B0, C0 and D0 on the circle at an included angle of 120°. These four measuring points form a regular quadrilateral with O1 as the circumcenter.

[0038] S4. Using the same method as in the first round (S1 and S2), measure the average sound level of the outer center O1 and the four corner points A0, B0, C0, and D0, and compare the five average sound level values ​​VO1, A0, B0, C0, and D0. Using the same method as in S3, find the suspected leakage axis location O2 and four new measuring points A0, B0, C0, and D0 for the next round of testing. Continue in this manner until the nth round. If VA n =VB n =VC n =VD0 and all are less than VO n Then the outer center O n This is the axis where the leakage point is located (n is an integer, n>1).

[0039] It is understandable that, in addition to the above-described embodiments one and two, five, six, or n measuring points can be selected to form a regular n-sided polygon for measurement, which can achieve the same effect, but the method of selecting three measuring points is more convenient to operate.

[0040] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for quickly locating the leak in an indoor wall-mounted water pipe, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Select a suspected leak point on the wall as the center point and measure the average sound level at that center point; S2. Using the center point as a reference, select multiple measuring points around it, and arrange the multiple measuring points in a geometric distribution around the center point to measure the average sound level value of each measuring point. S3. If the sound level values ​​at each measuring point are equal and all less than the sound level value at the center point, then the center point is determined to correspond to the axis where the actual leakage point is located; otherwise, the new center point position is estimated based on the relationship between the sound level values. S4. Repeat steps S2 and S3 with the new center point to perform iterative testing until the sound level values ​​at each measuring point are equal and all less than the sound level value at the center point. When the condition is met, the final center point is the axis where the leakage point is located.

2. The method for quickly locating the leakage point of an indoor wall-embedded water pipe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The geometric distribution is a regular polygonal distribution.

3. The method for quickly locating the leakage point of an indoor wall-embedded water pipe as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The regular polygon distribution is an equilateral triangle distribution, and the number of measuring points is three.

4. The method for quickly locating the leakage point of an indoor wall-embedded water pipe as described in claim 3, characterized in that, In step S3, estimating the new center point position based on the relationship between sound level values ​​includes: sorting multiple measuring points from largest to smallest sound level value, selecting the top three points with larger sound level values, calculating the circumcenter of the triangle formed by them as the estimated position, and taking the midpoint of the line connecting the circumcenter and the point with the largest sound level value as the new center point.

5. The method for quickly locating the leakage point of an indoor wall-embedded water pipe as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sound level value is the average sound level over a 10-second measurement period.

6. A detection device for rapidly locating the leakage location of an indoor wall-embedded water pipe as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, It includes a stethoscope head, a sound tube, and a digital sound level meter. The stethoscope head is used to collect sound at the measuring point, the sound tube connects the stethoscope head and the digital sound level meter, and the digital sound level meter is used to display the sound level value.

7. The detection device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The stethoscope head is a diaphragm-shaped stethoscope head.

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