Lightweight radar transmit-receive antenna, pipe network leakage detection system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of pipe network leakage detection, and discloses a lightweight radar transceiver antenna, a pipe network leakage detection system and a pipe network leakage detection method. The core column is arranged in the metal sleeve and is insulated from the metal sleeve; one end of the first vibrator is fixed on the metal sleeve; one end of the second vibrator penetrates through the metal sleeve and is connected with the core column, and the second vibrator is insulated from the metal sleeve; the first connecting piece is fixed on the first vibrator and is insulated from the first vibrator; the second connecting piece is fixed on the second vibrator and is insulated from the second vibrator; the two ends of the third vibrator are connected to the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece; and two ends of the fourth oscillator are connected to the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece, and the fourth oscillator and the third oscillator are respectively arranged on two sides of the first oscillator and the second oscillator. The transmitting-receiving antenna can efficiently work in the L wave band, the size and the weight are small, and transmitting-receiving integrated scanning can be completed on a single platform through the two transmitting-receiving antennas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pipeline leak detection technology, specifically to a lightweight radar transceiver antenna, a pipeline leak detection system, and a method. Background Technology

[0002] Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging technology, as a detection method with surface penetration capabilities, has gained increasing attention in the field of water supply network leak detection in recent years, becoming a promising technological direction in this area. To achieve effective detection of underground pipe networks, this system typically operates in lower frequency bands, such as the L-band, P-band, or even lower, to ensure sufficient penetration into the surface and soil layers. However, according to basic antenna design principles, lowering the operating frequency often leads to an increase in physical size and weight while maintaining the same antenna type and structure. Currently, SAR systems for pipe network leak detection reported in published literature mostly use metal rectangular horn or TEM (transverse electromagnetic) horn antennas for their front-end antennas, resulting in a bulky and large overall structure, primarily used for ground verification of principles and imaging feasibility. Furthermore, existing related systems are still in the ground demonstration and testing phase, requiring the radar receiver to be manually deployed at different ground locations to collect signals during the imaging process, thereby achieving synthetic aperture imaging. This operating mode is not only inefficient but also limits its application in real-time, mobile detection scenarios.

[0003] Existing technical solutions have significant limitations in both antenna design and system architecture, making it difficult to meet practical application requirements. Specifically, these limitations are: (1) The antenna components have not achieved a balance between lightweight design and high performance. Existing L / P band antennas are large in size and heavy in weight, which is not conducive to the miniaturization and integration of radar systems; (2) The system architecture still relies on a separate ground platform and has not yet achieved integrated scanning imaging suitable for a single platform. Currently, all publicly reported leak detection SAR systems require the transmitter and receiver to be placed in different locations, making it impossible to complete synthetic aperture imaging operations on a single platform. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a lightweight radar transceiver antenna that can operate efficiently in the L-band, P-band, or lower frequency bands, while being small in size and weight.

[0005] Another aspect of the present invention provides a pipeline leak detection system and method that can complete integrated scanning of transmitting and receiving on a single platform.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a lightweight radar transceiver antenna is provided, comprising: a metal sleeve; a core post disposed in the metal sleeve and insulated from the metal sleeve; a first vibrator, one end of which is fixed to the metal sleeve; a second vibrator, one end of which passes through the metal sleeve and is connected to the core post, the second vibrator being insulated from the metal sleeve; a first connector fixed to the first vibrator and insulated from the first vibrator; a second connector fixed to the second vibrator and insulated from the second vibrator; a third vibrator, both ends of which are connected to the first connector and the second connector; and a fourth vibrator, both ends of which are connected to the first connector and the second connector, and respectively disposed on both sides of the first vibrator and the second vibrator.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first and second vibrators are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the metal sleeve with respect to the center plane of the antenna, and the third and fourth vibrators are parallel to the first vibrator.

[0008] As one embodiment, the lightweight radar transceiver antenna further includes: a reflector plate, which is disposed at both ends of the metal sleeve, along with the first vibrator. The two sides of the reflector plate are bent toward the first vibrator. A plurality of through holes are formed on the reflector plate. The width and spacing of the through holes are both less than 1 / 10λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna.

[0009] In one embodiment, the other end of the first oscillator is provided with a fifth oscillator extending toward one side of the reflector; the other end of the second oscillator is provided with a sixth oscillator extending toward one side of the reflector.

[0010] In one embodiment, a feed probe is connected to the end of the core post furthest from the second oscillator, and the feed probe extends to the outside of the reflector.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pipeline leak detection system is provided, comprising: an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform on which a transmitting antenna and one or more receiving antennas are fixed, wherein the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna are both lightweight radar transceiver antennas as described in any one of claims 1 to 5; a transceiver circuit module integrating a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit, connected to the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna via a coaxial feed line, wherein the inner conductor of the coaxial feed line is connected to the core post and the outer conductor is connected to the metal sleeve, for generating and transmitting signals within the operating frequency band to the transmitting antenna, and simultaneously amplifying, frequency converting and performing preliminary processing on the echo signals acquired by the receiving antenna; and a network module connected to the transceiver circuit module for receiving control signals and transmitting echo data externally.

[0012] As one implementation, the pipeline leak detection system further includes: a data acquisition and processing module, connected to the network module, which acquires signal data from the receiving antenna in real time and performs digital processing on it; and a controller, which controls the operation of the UAV platform, transmitting antenna, receiving antenna, transceiver circuit module, network module, and data acquisition and processing module according to a preset program.

[0013] As one implementation, the data acquisition and processing module is pre-installed with software for SAR imaging and pipeline leakage identification, which is used to perform time-domain / frequency-domain preprocessing, motion compensation, imaging reconstruction and target feature extraction on the acquired echo data, and to mark suspected leakage areas based on the imaging results.

[0014] As one implementation, the reflector of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna is fixed to the UAV platform.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for detecting leaks in a pipeline network is provided, which employs the pipeline network leak detection system described above, and includes the following steps: controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform to fly along the extension direction of the pipeline network, transmitting signals in a preset operating frequency band via a transmitting antenna, and receiving detection echoes via a receiving antenna; acquiring echo data transmitted back by a network module, analyzing and processing the echo data through a data acquisition and processing module, and marking suspected leakage areas.

[0016] As described above and through practical application, the lightweight radar transceiver antenna of this invention utilizes a multipole radiating structure comprised of a first, second, third, and fourth element, achieving a wider impedance bandwidth and higher directivity than a dipole antenna. This multipole radiating structure is fed by a metal sleeve and a core, forming a sleeve-type balancer that converts unbalanced signals from the coaxial feed line into balanced currents driving the multipole radiating structure. This achieves current balance and impedance transformation, improves antenna input matching, and suppresses common-mode current, ensuring efficient operation of the transceiver antenna in the L-band, P-band, or lower frequency bands. Compared to a dipole antenna achieving equivalent efficiency, the size and weight of this lightweight radar transceiver antenna are significantly reduced.

[0017] In the lightweight radar transceiver antenna of the present invention, by setting a bent reflector with holes, the antenna beam can be compressed and a higher antenna gain can be obtained, while the weight of the antenna can be reduced, achieving the same electronic performance as a solid reflector.

[0018] Based on the aforementioned lightweight radar transceiver antenna's ability to operate efficiently in the low-frequency band and its small size and light weight, the pipeline leak detection system of this invention can simultaneously mount both transmitting and receiving antennas on a single UAV platform. Real-time communication between the ground control system and the leak detection system is achieved using transceiver circuit modules and network modules, supporting transmit / receive control and the return of SAR image data. This pipeline leak detection system is suitable for compact, miniaturized UAV-borne systems, significantly enhancing its applicability and potential for widespread application in engineering practice. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna involved in Embodiment 1 of the present invention from two different perspectives.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A top view of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna involved in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a reflection coefficient diagram of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna involved in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 This is an actual gain diagram of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna involved in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 This is the normalized radiation pattern of a lightweight radar transceiver antenna at 1.5 GHz, as described in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the pipeline leak detection system involved in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a SAR image of a buried pipeline measured by the pipeline leak detection imaging system involved in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a SAR image of a buried pipeline with a leak, measured by the pipeline leak detection imaging system involved in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0028] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Metal sleeve; 2. Core column; 3. First oscillator; 4. Second oscillator; 5. First connector; 6. Second connector; 7. Third oscillator; 8. Fourth oscillator; 9. Reflector; 10. Fifth oscillator; 11. Sixth oscillator; 12. Feeder probe; 101. UAV platform; 102. Transmitting antenna; 103. Receiving antenna; 104. Transceiver circuit module; 105. Network module; 106. Data acquisition and processing module. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be more comprehensive and complete, and will fully convey the concept of exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0030] Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of this disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. It should be noted that in this disclosure, the terms "comprising," "configured with," and "set in" are used to indicate an open-ended inclusion, meaning that additional elements / components / etc. may exist besides those listed; the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only as labels and are not intended to limit the number or order of objects; the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "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 invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to 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 invention.

[0031] Unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] Example 1 like Figures 1 to 4As shown in the figure, this embodiment discloses a lightweight radar transceiver antenna that can achieve a wider impedance bandwidth, higher radiation directivity, and a low profile. The lightweight radar transceiver antenna mainly includes a metal sleeve 1, a core post 2, a first vibrator 3, a second vibrator 4, a first connector 5, a second connector 6, a third vibrator 7, and a fourth vibrator 8.

[0033] Metal sleeve 1 is a conductive metal cylinder, and core post 2 is a conductive metal column. Core post 2 is disposed inside metal sleeve 1 and is insulated from metal sleeve 1. Metal sleeve 1 and core post 2 form a sleeve-type balancer, which can convert unbalanced signals from the coaxial feed line into balanced currents that drive the multipole radiating structure, thereby achieving current balance and impedance transformation, improving antenna input matching, and suppressing common-mode current.

[0034] One end of the first element 3 is fixed to the metal sleeve 1 and is directly connected to the metal sleeve 1. One end of the second element 4 passes through the metal sleeve 1 and is connected to the core post 2, and the second element 4 is insulated from the metal sleeve 1. Both the first element 3 and the second element 4 are solid metal cylindrical structures, and they are electrically connected to the sleeve-type balancer formed by the metal sleeve 1 and the core post 2, serving as the active radiating element of the transceiver antenna.

[0035] The first connecting piece 5 is fixed to the first oscillator 3 and insulated from it; the second connecting piece 6 is fixed to the second oscillator 4 and insulated from it. The two ends of the third oscillator 7 are connected to the first connecting piece 5 and the second connecting piece 6, respectively. The two ends of the fourth oscillator 8 are connected to the first connecting piece 5 and the second connecting piece 6, respectively. The fourth oscillator 8 and the third oscillator 7 are respectively located on opposite sides of the first oscillator 3 and the second oscillator 4. The third oscillator 7 and the fourth oscillator 8 are non-directly fed metal oscillators, respectively arranged on opposite sides of the first oscillator 3 and the second oscillator 4. Through electromagnetic coupling with the first oscillator 3 and the second oscillator 4, they adjust the overall current distribution and resonance characteristics, thereby playing a role in parasitic tuning and directivity enhancement.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first connector 5 and the second connector 6 are both bent engineering plastic parts with certain mechanical strength and dielectric stability. They are used to provide mechanical support and electrical isolation between the first oscillator 3, the second oscillator 4, the third oscillator 7 and the fourth oscillator 8, so as to ensure the accurate installation position and structural stability of these oscillators.

[0037] In the lightweight radar transceiver antenna of this invention, the first element 3, the second element 4, the third element 7, and the fourth element 8 can form a multipole radiating structure, achieving a wider impedance bandwidth and higher directivity than a dipole antenna. This multipole radiating structure is fed by a metal sleeve 1 and a core post 2. The metal sleeve 1 and the core post 2 form a sleeve-type balancer, which converts the unbalanced signal from the coaxial feed line into a balanced current driving the multipole radiating structure, thereby achieving current balance and impedance transformation, improving the antenna's input matching, and suppressing common-mode current, ensuring that the transceiver antenna can operate efficiently in the L-band, P-band, or lower frequency bands. Compared to a dipole antenna that achieves equivalent efficiency, the size and weight of this lightweight radar transceiver antenna can be significantly reduced.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first element 3 and the second element 4 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the metal sleeve 1 with respect to the antenna's central plane to form a double-arm radiating structure, undertaking the main electromagnetic radiation and reception functions. The third element 7 and the fourth element 8 are both parallel to the first element 3. The parallel arrangement of these four elements, while forming a multipole radiating structure, enables the transceiver antenna to have higher directivity.

[0039] In this embodiment, the lightweight radar transceiver antenna also includes a reflector 9, which, along with the first vibrator 3, is disposed at both ends of the metal sleeve 1. The two sides of the reflector 9 are bent toward the first vibrator 3, and a plurality of through holes are formed on the reflector 9. The width and spacing of the through holes are both less than 1 / 10λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna.

[0040] Specifically, the reflector 9 is made of aluminum alloy and is used to compress the antenna beam and obtain higher antenna gain. The size of the through-hole on the aluminum alloy reflector 9 is much smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves in the antenna's operating frequency band, ensuring that the reflector 9 is electromagnetically equivalent to a solid reflector. This significantly reduces weight and material consumption without significantly reducing reflection efficiency. The reflector 9 can improve directivity and compress the beam, reducing the main lobe half-power angle, thereby improving antenna gain.

[0041] In this embodiment, the through-hole on the reflector 9 is an elongated hole, the length of which is parallel to the first oscillator 3, and its width is less than 1 / 10λ. This not only provides electromagnetic equivalence to a solid reflector, ensuring better reflection efficiency, but also significantly reduces weight, making it easier to install on a UAV platform.

[0042] In other embodiments, the reflector 9 may also be made of copper or tin-plated steel, or may be replaced by a metal honeycomb plate or a metal mesh plate. The materials and structure should take into account rigidity, weight and electromagnetic reflection characteristics.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the end of the first oscillator 3 away from the metal sleeve 1 is provided with a fifth oscillator 10 extending toward the reflector 9, and the fifth oscillator 10 is fixedly connected to the first oscillator 3; the end of the second oscillator 4 away from the metal sleeve 1 is provided with a sixth oscillator 11 extending toward the reflector 9. The sixth oscillator 11 is fixedly connected to the second oscillator 4.

[0044] The fifth element 10 and the sixth element 11 are used to fold the radiating structure in space. While keeping the equivalent electrical length essentially unchanged, the introduction of the fifth element 10 and the sixth element 11 can reduce the physical size of the antenna, forming a low-profile structure, while adjusting the current path and radiation field distribution to improve the antenna's directivity and standing wave performance.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, according to antenna design theory, the vertical length of reflector 9 is affected by the lengths of the first element 3 and the second element 4, and its vertical length must be greater than the sum of the lengths of the first element 3 and the second element 4. By setting the fifth element 10 and the sixth element 11 to face the reflector 9, the radiation of the elements can be reduced. Figure 3 The vertical length of the aluminum alloy reflector 9 is reduced by adjusting its vertical length. Furthermore, the fifth element 10 and the sixth element 11 are positioned facing the reflector 9, ensuring that the antenna height remains constant, i.e., a low profile. Therefore, this arrangement significantly reduces the antenna size.

[0046] In this embodiment, the six elements, from the first element 3 to the sixth element 11, together form a multipole radiation structure. The multiple radiating arms formed by each element are spatially extended and cooperate with the aluminum alloy reflector 9, so that the transceiver antenna can achieve a wider impedance bandwidth and a lower overall profile while achieving high gain.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a feed probe 12 is connected to the end of the core post 2 furthest from the second oscillator 4, extending to the outside of the reflector 9. The feed probe is made of conductive metal material, with one end connected to the inner conductor or RF interface of an external coaxial cable, and the other end extending into the metal sleeve 1 and electrically connected to or adjacent to the core post 2, used to achieve energy coupling and feed transition from the feed line to the radiating unit. The core post 2 is preferably a metal central shaft structure that cooperates with the probe, which can be regarded as a thickened extension of the probe or an independently set central conductor, and its size and position are matched with the metal sleeve 1 to form the desired characteristic impedance and electric field distribution.

[0048] In one specific embodiment, the lightweight radar transceiver antenna has overall dimensions of 188.6mm × 160mm, which is the length and width of the reflector 9, and an overall weight of approximately 240g. This small size and weight facilitate the installation of multiple transceiver antennas on the same UAV platform 101.

[0049] This lightweight radar transceiver antenna, through the organic combination of the aforementioned components, achieves a wider impedance bandwidth, higher radiation directivity, and a low profile while maintaining a compact structure and controllable weight. The antenna's reflection coefficient (S11) parameter is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the antenna's center frequency is approximately 1.5 GHz, and it essentially meets the -10 dB reflection coefficient requirement in the 1 to 2 GHz range. The wide bandwidth is beneficial for achieving high range resolution. The actual antenna gain is as follows... Figure 6 As shown, the gain remains essentially within the range of 7 to 8 dBi in the 1 to 2 GHz range. High gain is beneficial for effectively focusing electromagnetic wave energy onto the observation area. Figure 7 The results show that the measured 3dB beamwidths of the antenna in the E-plane and H-plane at 1.5GHz are 69° and 64°, respectively.

[0050] The relative position, tilt angle, and geometric parameters of the folded surface between reflector 9 and the multipole radiating structure are adjustable design parameters. Optimization can achieve the desired main lobe direction, gain, and standing wave ratio (VSWR) performance. For example, computational simulation software such as CST and HFSS can be used to obtain different performance characteristics through parameter scanning, and the required parameters can be determined based on the performance requirements of the actual application. Alternatively, the optimizer of computational simulation software such as CST and HFSS can be used to set a performance objective function, and the software can automatically call algorithms such as genetic algorithms or particle swarm optimization to obtain the optimal parameters for the adjustable design parameters.

[0051] Example 2 like Figure 8 As shown in the figure, a pipeline leak detection system is disclosed in this embodiment, which mainly includes a drone platform 101, a transceiver circuit module 104 and a network module 105.

[0052] The UAV platform 101 is equipped with a transmitting antenna 102 and one or more receiving antennas 103. Both the transmitting antenna 102 and the receiving antenna 103 are lightweight radar transceiver antennas as described in Embodiment 1. The UAV platform 101 is a small multi-rotor or fixed-wing UAV, possessing high stability and adaptability, capable of handling pipeline detection tasks in various environments. The UAV platform 101 has high payload capacity, long endurance, and strong anti-jamming capabilities, supporting the payload requirements of the SAR imaging system. The UAV platform 101 is equipped with a high-precision attitude control system to ensure a stable trajectory during flight and to provide continuous high-precision data transmission. The UAV platform 101 can also be equipped with a high-precision navigation and positioning system (such as GPS or GNSS), combined with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to provide accurate flight positioning data, ensuring the trajectory accuracy of SAR imaging.

[0053] The transmitting antenna 102 is positioned below or to the side of the UAV platform 101, working in conjunction with the receiving antenna 103 to achieve adequate isolation and directional coverage. For pipeline leak detection, the L-band or near-L-band (e.g., 1 to 2 GHz) is preferred to balance penetration and resolution. The transmission bandwidth is designed according to the required distance resolution; for example, decimeter-level distance resolution can be achieved at 1 to 2 GHz. The transmitting antenna 102 can achieve vertical, horizontal, or dual-polarized transmission; in some embodiments, switching polarization can be used to enhance the detection sensitivity for different pipe materials / covering layers.

[0054] The receiving antenna 103 can be a single antenna or a multi-channel receiving array, such as a linear array or a small two-dimensional array. In the case of multi-channel receiving, it can be used for real-time side beamforming, suppressing clutter and improving spatial resolution.

[0055] Specifically, when installing the fixed transmitting antenna 102 and receiving antenna 103, the reflector 9 of each lightweight radar transceiver antenna can be fixed on the UAV platform 101, which can ensure that the transmitting antenna 102 and receiving antenna 103 can move stably with the UAV platform 101.

[0056] The transceiver module 104 integrates transmitting and receiving circuits and features transmit / receive switching functionality. The transmitting circuit is connected to the transmitting antenna 102 via a coaxial feed line, and the receiving circuit is connected to the receiving antenna 103 via the same coaxial feed line. Specifically, the inner conductor of the coaxial feed line is connected to the core post 2 of each lightweight radar transceiver antenna, and the outer conductor is connected to the metal sleeve 1 of each lightweight radar transceiver antenna. During transmission, the transceiver module 104 transmits the signal to the transmitting antenna 102 via a power amplifier; during reception, the transceiver module 104 amplifies the received echo signal via a low-noise amplifier. The transceiver module 104 generates and transmits signals within the operating frequency band to the transmitting antenna 102, while simultaneously amplifying, frequency-converting, and performing preliminary processing on the echo signal acquired by the receiving antenna 103.

[0057] Network module 105 is connected to transceiver module 104 and is used to receive control signals and transmit echo data. In practical applications, network module 105 is responsible for transmitting raw data from transceiver module 104 to the user. This network module 105 transmits data back to the user's ground station or control center in real time via a wireless communication link, such as 5G, Wi-Fi, or a dedicated radio. In addition, network module 105 also supports bidirectional communication with the ground station for mission management, flight control, parameter adjustment, and real-time data feedback. Preferably, network module 105 has data compression, error detection, and retransmission mechanisms to ensure the stability and reliability of data transmission.

[0058] Based on the aforementioned lightweight radar transceiver antenna's ability to operate efficiently in the low-frequency band and its small size and light weight, the pipeline leak detection system in this embodiment can simultaneously mount a transmitting antenna 102 and a receiving antenna 103 on a single UAV platform 101. Real-time communication between the ground control system and the leak detection system is achieved using a transceiver circuit module 104 and a network module 105, supporting transmit / receive control and the return of SAR image data. This pipeline leak detection system is suitable for compact, miniaturized UAV-borne systems, significantly enhancing its applicability and potential for widespread application in engineering practice.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pipeline leak detection system also includes a data acquisition and processing module 106 and a controller. The data acquisition and processing module 106 is communicatively connected to the transceiver circuit module 104 via a network module 105, and is used to realize the real-time transmission and processing of measurement data. The data acquisition and processing module 106 can be an industrial computer or workstation equipped with a high-performance processor, used for storing the acquired radar echo data, performing SAR imaging processing, and identifying and labeling pipeline leak targets.

[0060] Specifically, the data acquisition and processing module 106 includes a high-performance data acquisition unit capable of acquiring signal data from the receiving antenna 103 in real time and performing preliminary digital processing. This data can be time-domain echo data or frequency-domain data after pulse compression and beamforming. The data acquisition and processing module 106 processes the raw data using its pre-installed SAR imaging and pipeline leakage identification software to generate high-resolution images of the target area. These images can be reflection intensity images or scattering images related to the underground pipeline structure. The data acquisition and processing module 106 further extracts features from the generated images, including identifying possible pipeline leakage areas and analyzing the intensity and location of leakage sources. The data processing unit performs quality optimization processing on the images, removing noise, enhancing the contrast of the target area, and clearly marking the leakage areas to generate high-quality pipeline leakage detection images.

[0061] The controller serves as the user's ground station or control center, controlling the operation of the UAV platform 101, transmitting antenna 102, receiving antenna 103, transceiver circuit module 104, network module 105, and data acquisition and processing module 106 according to a preset program to achieve pipeline leak detection. In one embodiment, the controller can also be integrated into the data acquisition and processing module 106.

[0062] In this embodiment, a pipeline leak detection method is also disclosed, which adopts the above-mentioned pipeline leak detection system and specifically includes the following steps: controlling the UAV platform 101 to fly along the pipeline extension direction, transmitting the signal of the preset working frequency band by the transmitting antenna 102, and receiving the detection echo by the receiving antenna 103; acquiring the echo data returned by the network module 105, analyzing and processing the echo data by the data acquisition and processing module 106, and marking the suspected leakage areas.

[0063] The pipeline leak detection system in this embodiment effectively overcomes the limitations of current UAV-borne SAR leak detection systems in antenna design and system architecture. Regarding the antenna components, a multipole structure achieves a wider operating bandwidth, fully covering the L-band frequency band. Furthermore, a folded, perforated reflector 9 structure is introduced at the bottom of the antenna, which not only effectively compresses the antenna beam to improve gain but also possesses lightweight characteristics, facilitating integration into the UAV platform 101. In terms of system architecture, a compact radar transceiver system layout is constructed, integrating the radar signal RF transmitter and receiver into a single integrated circuit and connecting them to the transceiver antenna via a coaxial feed line. By adding a network module 105, real-time communication between the ground control system and the leak detection system is achieved, supporting transmit / receive control and the return of SAR image data.

[0064] In summary, the lightweight radar transceiver antenna proposed in this invention is less than half the size and less than a quarter the weight of existing antennas. The pipeline leak detection system architecture has evolved from a manually operated experimental platform to a compact, miniaturized system suitable for UAV deployment, significantly enhancing its applicability and potential for widespread application in engineering practice.

[0065] In one specific embodiment, the performance of the aforementioned pipeline leak detection system was tested. The UAV platform 101 was equipped with a receiving antenna 103 and a transmitting antenna 102, and a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) system was used to simulate the transceiver circuit module 104. The VNA's transmitting port was connected to the transmitting antenna 102 via a coaxial feed line to radiate broadband electromagnetic signals within the operating frequency band to the area under test. The VNA's receiving port was connected to the receiving antenna 103 via a coaxial feed line to receive echo signals scattered back from the underground pipeline network and surrounding medium. As the UAV platform 101 moved along the pipeline extension direction, the VNA completed one or more measurements at each location, obtaining radar echo data corresponding to each synthetic aperture location.

[0066] The network module 105 communicates wirelessly with the data acquisition and processing module 106, which uses an industrial computer pre-installed with SAR imaging and pipeline leakage identification software. The data acquisition and processing device performs time-domain / frequency-domain preprocessing, motion compensation, image reconstruction, and target feature extraction on the raw data, and automatically or semi-automatically labels suspected leakage areas based on the imaging results.

[0067] In the test, the test object can be pre-deployed with metal pipes or water-filled pipe structures representing the actual pipeline network, and the surface and overburden environment in an urban scenario can be simulated by using soil, concrete slabs, or other media materials. By setting pipe sections and simulated leakage points at different burial depths and horizontal locations, radar echo data containing both pipe body scattering and leakage anomaly scattering can be obtained. The data acquisition and processing module 106 performs SAR imaging processing on the above echo data to obtain a high-resolution scattering intensity image of the target area; based on this, the imaging results are further subjected to contrast enhancement, noise suppression, and feature extraction, and suspected leakage areas are marked in the image, thereby verifying the detection capability and imaging effect of the pipeline network leakage detection SAR imaging system of the present invention on underground pipeline networks and leakage targets under experimental conditions.

[0068] Specifically, in the test, a 1.8m section of metal pipe was first buried in sand at a depth of approximately 0.1m. Echo data from this scenario was acquired using the aforementioned pipeline leak detection system and processed through a SAR imaging algorithm to obtain... Figure 9 The SAR image shown. From Figure 9 The system can clearly identify the location and extension direction of metal pipes, and its size information is basically consistent with the actual layout, indicating that the system can effectively image shallow buried metal pipes.

[0069] In subsequent tests, a metal pipe approximately 1.8m in length was selected, and bags of wet sand with a volumetric water content of approximately 40% were placed in the middle of the pipe. This composite structure was then buried in sand at a depth of 0.1m to simulate the condition of localized water content increase caused by pipe leakage. The scenario was observed using a pipeline leak detection SAR imaging system, and echo data was obtained and processed using SAR imaging to obtain... Figure 10 The SAR image shown.

[0070] Depend on Figure 10 As can be seen, the metal pipe as a whole is still identifiable, but in the central region covered by wet sand, the scattered echoes exhibit obvious breaks and morphological distortions. This is because the scattering intensity of wet sand is weaker than that of the metal pipe; however, compared to the dry sand background, the scattering intensity of wet sand is significantly increased, thus creating a scattering anomaly zone with high contrast to the background above the pipe. Figure 10In the image, the abnormal scattering area is marked with a red dashed box, which corresponds to the simulated leak area. This further verifies that the pipeline leak detection SAR imaging system of the present invention has good detection and imaging capabilities for pipeline leak targets.

[0071] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A lightweight radar transceiver antenna, characterized in that, include: Metal sleeve; The core post is disposed in the metal sleeve and is insulated from the metal sleeve; The first oscillator is fixed at one end to the metal sleeve; The second oscillator has one end passing through the metal sleeve and connected to the core column, and the second oscillator is insulated from the metal sleeve; The first connector is fixed to the first oscillator and is insulated from the first oscillator; The second connector is fixed to the second vibrator and is insulated from the second vibrator; The third oscillator is connected at both ends to the first and second connecting members; The fourth vibrator is connected at both ends to the first and second connecting members, and is respectively disposed on both sides of the first and second vibrators along with the third vibrator.

2. The lightweight radar transceiver antenna as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second vibrators are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the metal sleeve with respect to the center plane of the antenna, and the third and fourth vibrators are parallel to the first vibrator.

3. The lightweight radar transceiver antenna as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A reflector plate and the first vibrator are respectively disposed at both ends of the metal sleeve. The two sides of the reflector plate are bent toward the first vibrator. A plurality of through holes are formed on the reflector plate. The width and spacing of the through holes are both less than 1 / 10λ, where λ is the operating wavelength of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna.

4. The lightweight radar transceiver antenna as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The other end of the first oscillator is provided with a fifth oscillator extending toward one side of the reflector; The other end of the second oscillator is provided with a sixth oscillator extending toward one side of the reflector.

5. The lightweight radar transceiver antenna as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The end of the core post furthest from the second oscillator is connected to a feed probe, which extends to the outside of the reflector.

6. A pipeline leak detection system, characterized in that, include: An unmanned aerial vehicle platform, on which a transmitting antenna and one or more receiving antennas are fixed, wherein the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna are both lightweight radar transceivers as described in any one of claims 1 to 5; The transceiver circuit module integrates a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. It is connected to the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna via a coaxial feed line. The inner conductor of the coaxial feed line is connected to the core column, and the outer conductor is connected to the metal sleeve. It is used to generate and transmit signals within the operating frequency band to the transmitting antenna, and at the same time amplify, frequency convert, and perform preliminary processing on the echo signal acquired by the receiving antenna. The network module, connected to the transceiver circuit module, is used to receive control signals and transmit echo data to the outside world.

7. The pipeline leak detection system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The data acquisition and processing module is connected to the network module, and acquires signal data from the receiving antenna in real time and performs digital processing on it. The controller is used to control the operation of the UAV platform, transmitting antenna, receiving antenna, transceiver circuit module, network module, and data acquisition and processing module according to a preset program.

8. The pipeline leak detection system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The data acquisition and processing module is pre-installed with software for SAR imaging and pipeline leakage identification. This software is used to perform time-domain / frequency-domain preprocessing, motion compensation, imaging reconstruction, and target feature extraction on the acquired echo data, and to mark suspected leakage areas based on the imaging results.

9. The pipeline leak detection system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The reflector of the lightweight radar transceiver antenna is fixed on the UAV platform.

10. A method for detecting leaks in a pipeline network, employing the pipeline network leak detection system as described in any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The drone platform is controlled to fly along the pipeline extension direction, the transmitting antenna transmits signals in the preset working frequency band, and the receiving antenna receives the detection echo; The echo data transmitted back from the network module is acquired, and the echo data is analyzed and processed by the data acquisition and processing module to mark the suspected leakage areas.

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