A method for detecting a water leakage area of an underground pipe using sound

CN118423619BActive Publication Date: 2026-09-29SHOUGUANG SOUTH TO NORTH WATER TRANSFER WATER SUPPLY CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202410406629.X
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-07
Publication Date
2026-09-29
Estimated Expiration
2044-04-07

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

本发明通过信息技术和多点测量方法对漏水声音进行处理分析,快速检测漏水区域,为精确寻找漏水位置提供较小的搜索范围,减少了人工巡检范围和工作量,提高了工作效率和检漏精准度,促进了节约用水。

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Abstract

The application discloses a method for detecting a water leakage area of an underground pipeline by using sound, and comprises the following steps: arranging a listening leakage instrument host in a first measuring point on the ground, arranging four sound pickups which are led out from the listening leakage instrument in a square shape with the measuring point as the center; simultaneously collecting underground water leakage sound signals by the four sound pickups, and recording time differences of signals received by each sound pickup; and accurately determining a region where the water leakage position is located by setting a plurality of rays and regions formed by the rays and sectors, and combining with signals received by the detecting point.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underground pipe network leakage control, and in particular to a method for detecting leaking areas in underground pipe networks. Background Technology

[0002] Underground water supply networks are complex, with leaks often being hidden and frequent, resulting in significant water waste annually. In some towns in Northeast China, the leakage rate of water supply networks exceeds 20%. Managing leaks in underground pipe networks is a key focus of water conservation efforts, and timely and accurate detection of leaks is crucial for reducing losses. Currently, the most common method for locating leaks is manual leak listening. Personnel conduct foot patrols of the network, using leak-listening instruments to pinpoint the exact location of the leak. However, this manual method is labor-intensive and has low search efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for detecting leaks in underground pipes using sound. This method can quickly detect leaks with the help of information technology, reduce the scope and workload of manual inspections, and promptly identify leaks, thereby improving work efficiency and leak detection accuracy.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution, comprising the following steps: S1. Arrange the first leak detector, and arrange four microphones extending from the first leak detector in a square with the first detection point (A) as the center. The four microphones are located at the four vertices of the square, and each microphone is close to the ground to collect the sound signal of underground water leakage. S2. Determine the first pickup (A1) and the second pickup (A2), wherein the first pickup (A1) is the first of the four pickups to receive the water leakage sound signal, and the second pickup is the second of the four pickups to receive the water leakage sound signal. S3. Determine the first sector region (F) A Using the first detection point (A) as the endpoint, draw a first ray (AA1) and a second ray (AA5). The first ray (AA1) passes through the first microphone (A1), and the second ray (AA5) passes through the midpoint (A5) between the first microphone (A1) and the second microphone (A2). The fan-shaped region between the first ray (AA1) and the second ray (AA5) is the first fan-shaped region (F). A ); S4. Determine the second detection point (B) and the third detection point (C), and draw the third ray (AA6), the fourth ray (AB), and the fifth ray (AC) with the first detection point (A) as the endpoint. The third ray (AA6) is the first sector region (F).A The third ray (AA6) is bisected by the third ray (AA6); the fourth ray (AB) and the fifth ray (AC) are located on either side of the third ray (AA6) and form an angle with the third ray (AA6), the angle being greater than that of the first sector region (F). A The second detection point (B) and the third detection point (C) are located on the fourth ray (AB) and the fifth ray (AC) respectively, and are equidistant from the first detection point (A). S5. Arrange the second and third leak detectors, and arrange four microphones leading from the second leak detector and four microphones leading from the third leak detector in a square with the second detection point (B) and the third detection point (C) as the center, respectively. Perform the operations of steps S2 and S3 on the second and third leak detectors respectively to obtain the second sector region (F). B ) and the third sector region (F C ); S6. The leaking area is located in the first sector area (F) A ), the second sector region (F) B ) and the third sector region (F C Within the overlapping closed region (F0).

[0005] S7. Divide the closed region (F0), the third ray (AA6) divides the closed region (F0) into a first closed region (F1) and a second closed region (F2), the first closed region (F1) is close to the second detection point (B), and the second closed region (F2) is close to the third detection point (C); S8. Accurately determine the leakage area and compare the average reception time (T2) of the leakage sound signal received by the four microphones of the second leak detector with the average reception time (T3) of the leakage sound signal received by the four microphones of the third leak detector. If the average reception time (T2) of the second leak detector is less than the average reception time (T3) of the third leak detector, then the leaking area is located in the first closed area (F1). If the average reception time (T2) of the second leak detector is greater than the average reception time (T3) of the third leak detector, then the leaking area is located in the second closed area (F2). Preferably, the distance (AB; AC) between the first detection point (A) and the second detection point (B) and the third detection point (C) is greater than the spacing between the four microphones of the first listening instrument.

[0006] Preferably, the distances (AB; AC) between the first detection point (A), the second detection point (B), and the third detection point (C) are flexibly selected according to the terrain conditions.

[0007] Preferably, a fourth leak detector is installed near the first closed area (F1) or the second closed area (F2) to narrow down or verify the leak area.

[0008] Preferably, the leak detector is mounted on an automated walking robot, which performs fully automated inspections or works in conjunction with the robot to quickly detect leak areas.

[0009] Preferably, a computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that can be run on a computer.

[0010] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention processes and analyzes the sound of water leakage using information technology and multi-point measurement methods, quickly detects the leakage area, provides a smaller search range for accurately locating the leakage point, reduces the scope and workload of manual inspections, improves work efficiency and leak detection accuracy, and promotes water conservation. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the principle of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0012] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments: Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, to detect the location (O) of the leak in the underground pipe network perpendicular to the ground, a first leak detector is placed on the ground. Four microphones are arranged in a square around the first detection point (A), extending from the first leak detector. The four microphones are located at the four vertices of the square, each microphone close to the ground, to collect the sound signal of the leak in the underground pipe network. The microphones are identified as: a first microphone (A1), a second microphone (A2), a second microphone (A3), and a fourth microphone (A4). The first microphone (A1) is the first to receive the sound signal of the leak; the second microphone (A2) is the second; the third microphone (A3) is the third; and the fourth microphone (A4) is the fourth. A first sector area (F) is then defined. AUsing the first detection point (A) as the endpoint, draw a first ray (AA1) and a second ray (AA5). The first ray (AA1) passes through the first microphone (A1), and the second ray (AA5) passes through the midpoint (A5) between the first microphone (A1) and the second microphone (A2). The fan-shaped region between the first ray (AA1) and the second ray (AA5) is the first fan-shaped region (F). A ); Determine the second detection point (B) and the third detection point (C), and draw the third ray (AA6), the fourth ray (AB), and the fifth ray (AC) with the first detection point (A) as the endpoint. The third ray (AA6) is the first sector region (F). A The third ray (AA6) is bisected by the third ray (AA6); the fourth ray (AB) and the fifth ray (AC) are located on either side of the third ray (AA6) and form an angle with the third ray (AA6), the angle being greater than that of the first sector region (F). A The angle is half of the angle between the first and third detection points (A and B). The second detection point (B) and the third detection point (C) are located on the fourth ray (AB) and the fifth ray (AC) respectively and are equidistant from the first detection point (A). The second and third listening instruments are arranged in a square with the second detection point (B) and the third detection point (C) as the center. Four microphones are arranged from the second listening instrument and four microphones are arranged from the third listening instrument. The operation of the first listening instrument is performed on the second listening instrument and the third listening instrument respectively to obtain the second sector area (F). B ) and the third sector region (F C The leakage area is located in the first sector area (F). A ), the second sector region (F) B ) and the third sector region (F CWithin the overlapping closed region (F0); the closed region (F0) is divided by the third ray (AA6) into a first closed region (F1) and a second closed region (F2), with the first closed region (F1) closer to the second detection point (B) and the second closed region (F2) closer to the third detection point (C); the leakage area is precisely determined, and the average reception time (T2) of the leakage sound signal received by the four microphones of the second leak detector is compared with the average reception time (T2) of the leakage sound signal received by the four microphones of the third leak detector. Time (T3); The receiving time is the time difference between each pickup and the first pickup (A1) receiving the same waveform. If the pickup receives the waveform earlier than the first pickup (A1), the time difference is negative; if the pickup receives the waveform later than the first pickup (A1), the time difference is positive. That is, the smaller the time difference, the earlier the waveform is received and the closer it is to the leak location. The average receiving time is the average of the receiving times of the four pickups from the leak detector. The average receiving time (T2) of the second leak detector is greater than the average receiving time (T3) of the third leak detector, so the leak area is located in the second closed area (F2).

[0013] Due to measurement errors, the angle of the sector area could not be reduced by rotating the microphone around the detection point or increasing the number of microphones; if measurement accuracy is guaranteed, the angle of the sector area can be reduced by rotating the microphone around the center point or increasing the number of microphones.

[0014] These embodiments are selected and specifically described in this specification to better explain the principles and practical applications of the invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the invention. The invention is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for detecting leaks in underground pipes using sound, characterized in that... : Includes the following steps: S1. A first leak detector is set up on the ground, and four microphones are arranged in a square with the first detection point as the center. The four microphones are located at the four vertices of the square and are used to collect the sound signal of underground water leakage. S2. Determine the first pickup and the second pickup, wherein the first pickup is the one that receives the water leakage sound signal first among the four pickups, and the second pickup is the one that receives the water leakage sound signal second among the four pickups; S3. Determine the first sector area, and draw the first ray and the second ray respectively with the first detection point as the endpoint. The first ray passes through the first microphone, and the second ray passes through the midpoint between the first microphone and the second microphone. The sector area between the first ray and the second ray is the first sector area. S4. Determine the second and third detection points, and draw the third, fourth and fifth rays with the first detection point as the endpoint. The third ray is the dividing line of the first sector region. The fourth ray and the fifth ray are located on both sides of the third ray and form the same angle with the third ray, and the angle is greater than half of the angle of the first sector region; the second detection point and the third detection point are located on the fourth ray and the fifth ray respectively and are equidistant from the first detection point; S5. Arrange the second and third leak detectors, and arrange four microphones leading from the second leak detector and four microphones leading from the third leak detector in a square with the second and third detection points as the center, respectively. Perform the operations of steps S2 and S3 on the second and third leak detectors respectively to obtain the second sector area and the third sector area. S6. The leaking area is located within a closed area where the first fan-shaped area, the second fan-shaped area, and the third fan-shaped area overlap; It also includes the following steps: S7. The closed region is divided into a first closed region and a second closed region by the third ray. The first closed region is close to the second detection point, and the second closed region is close to the third detection point. S8. Accurately determine the leakage area and compare the average reception time of the leakage sound signal received by the four microphones of the second leak detector with the average reception time of the leakage sound signal received by the four microphones of the third leak detector. If the average reception time of the second leak detector is less than the average reception time of the third leak detector, then the leaking area is located in the first closed area. If the average reception time of the second leak detector is greater than the average reception time of the third leak detector, then the leaking area is located in the second closed area. A fourth leak detector is installed near the first closed area or the second closed area to narrow down or verify the leak area.

2. The method for detecting leaks in underground pipes using sound according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distances between the first detection point and the second and third detection points are all greater than the spacing between the four microphones of the first sounding instrument.

3. The method for detecting leaks in underground pipes using sound according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distances between the first detection point, the second detection point, and the third detection point are selected based on the terrain conditions.

4. A system for detecting leaks in underground pipes using sound, characterized in that: It includes at least three leak detectors, each of which includes four microphones arranged in a square, each microphone being close to the ground for collecting underground leak sound signals; The leak detector records the time when each of the four microphones receives the leak sound signal and calculates the average reception time of the leak sound signal received by the four microphones. The system is used to perform the method for detecting leaks in underground pipes using sound, as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The system for detecting leaks in underground pipes using sound according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes at least two autonomous walking robots, with the leak detector mounted on the autonomous walking robots. The autonomous walking robots can perform fully automated inspections or work together to quickly detect leak areas.

6. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program executable on a computer, characterized in that: The computer program is used to perform the steps of implementing the method for detecting leaks in underground pipes using sound as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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