Acoustic sensor for water pipe detection

Abstract

The utility model discloses a water pipe detection acoustic sensor, which comprises a hydrophone assembly, a mounting flange, a locking nut, a cable sealing head and a transmission cable, the right end of the hydrophone assembly is provided with the mounting flange, the hydrophone assembly is in close fit with the mounting flange, and an O-shaped sealing ring is used for watertightness; the right side of the mounting flange is provided with the locking nut, the locking nut reliably fixes the cable sealing head in the cavity of the mounting flange to prevent separation, the transmission cable is mounted in the cable sealing head, and the cable sealing head fixes the cable; the acoustic sensor realizes reliable watertight connection of the hydrophone assembly and the transmission cable, is directly installed in a water pipe through pipe threads, and is simple in structure and convenient to install.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model discloses an acoustic sensor for water pipe detection, which relates to the field of tap water transportation, and in particular belongs to a sensor which utilizes acoustic signals to detect water leakage. Background Art

[0002] Most of the tap water we drink is transported through pipes, which play a vital role in our lives. With age or accidents, pipes can leak, causing significant property damage and impacting water supply to residents. Therefore, leak detection must be performed using both human and equipment. Using sound wave propagation to detect pipe leaks is a highly effective method, and acoustic sensors are the core component of detection devices. This utility model provides a highly sensitive, environmentally friendly, and easy-to-install acoustic sensor. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of the utility model is to solve the shortcomings of the prior art and to propose an acoustic sensor for water pipe detection.

[0004] In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] A water pipe detection acoustic wave sensor includes a hydrophone assembly, a mounting flange, a locking nut, a cable sealing head, and a transmission cable. The mounting flange is installed on the right end of the hydrophone assembly. The hydrophone assembly and the mounting flange are tightly matched and are watertight using an "O"-shaped sealing ring; a locking nut is installed on the right side of the mounting flange. The locking nut reliably fixes the cable sealing head in the mounting flange cavity to prevent it from detaching. The transmission cable is installed in the cable sealing head, and the cable sealing head fixes the cable.

[0006] Preferably, the hydrophone assembly includes a first piezoelectric ceramic tube, a second piezoelectric ceramic tube, a PEEK shell, a sound-transmitting layer, and a preamplifier. The first piezoelectric ceramic tube is installed on the left side of the PEEK shell, and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube is installed on the right side of the first piezoelectric ceramic tube. The first piezoelectric ceramic tube and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube are connected in series. The right side of the first piezoelectric ceramic tube and the left side of the second piezoelectric ceramic tube are each polished flat so that the two piezoelectric ceramic tubes can maintain consistent performance. The first piezoelectric ceramic tube and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube are bonded and fixed with a chemical adhesive. The sound-transmitting layer is installed on the left side of the PEEK shell. The sound-transmitting layer has a cylindrical structure. The sound-transmitting layer accommodates the first and second piezoelectric ceramic tubes inside, and the inner sidewall of the sound-transmitting layer is fixedly connected to the first and second piezoelectric ceramic tubes. The first and second piezoelectric ceramic tubes are respectively connected to the preamplifier via wires, and the preamplifier is connected to the transmission cable via wires.

[0007] Preferably, the first piezoelectric ceramic tube and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube are installed in a space enclosed by the interior of the PEEK shell and the interior of the sound-transmitting layer.

[0008] Preferably, the sound-transmitting layer is located between the piezoelectric ceramic tube and the PEEK shell, and is made of polyurethane rubber, which has good sound-transmitting properties.

[0009] Preferably, the preamplifier adopts a low-power circuit design with a standard power consumption of less than 1 mW, which is suitable for field environments powered by batteries or solar energy.

[0010] Preferably, the PEEK shell is made of high-strength polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material with a thickness of 2 mm. It has high structural strength and can withstand a maximum hydrostatic pressure of more than 5 MPa. Because PEEK is resistant to high temperatures and chemical corrosion, it will not pollute tap water and is an excellent environmentally friendly material.

[0011] Preferably, the mounting flange is made of stainless steel to achieve a watertight connection between the hydrophone assembly and the cable, and one end thereof is externally threaded with a pipe, which facilitates installation and fixation on a water pipe.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0013] In the a hydrophone assembly, the acoustic-to-electric conversion uses two thin-walled piezoelectric ceramic tubes connected in series to achieve a high receiving sensitivity;

[0014] The part of the acoustic wave sensor that contacts tap water is made of polyetheretherketone and stainless steel, which will not pollute the tap water and meet environmental protection requirements.

[0015] The c acoustic wave sensor realizes reliable watertight connection between the hydrophone component and the transmission cable and is directly installed in the water pipe using pipe threads. It has a simple structure and is easy and reliable to install.

[0016] The working principle of the utility model is as follows: when a water pipe leaks, an acoustic wave signal is generated. This signal propagates in the water pipe. After the acoustic wave signal generated by the leak is received by the acoustic wave sensor installed in the water pipe, a voltage signal of corresponding intensity and the same frequency is generated due to the piezoelectric effect. After amplification, it is transmitted to the back-end signal processing system, thereby accurately determining the location of the leak. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the interior of the hydrophone assembly.

[0019] In the figure: 1, hydrophone assembly 2, mounting flange 3, locking nut 4, cable sealing head 5, transmission cable 6, first piezoelectric ceramic tube 7, sound-transmitting layer 8, preamplifier 9, PEEK shell 10, connecting wire 11, second piezoelectric ceramic tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, a water pipe detection acoustic wave sensor mainly includes a hydrophone component 1, a mounting flange 2, a locking nut 3, a cable sealing head 4, and a transmission cable 5. The mounting flange 2 is installed on the right end of the hydrophone component 1. The hydrophone component 1 and the mounting flange 2 are tightly matched and are watertight using an "O"-ring. The locking nut 3 is installed on the right side of the mounting flange 2. The locking nut 3 reliably fixes the cable sealing head 4 in the cavity of the mounting flange 2 to prevent it from detaching. The cable sealing head 4 and the mounting flange 2 are sealed with an "O"-ring. The transmission cable 5 is installed in the cable sealing head 4. After the cable sealing head 4 fixes the cable, it uses rubber vulcanization to achieve waterproofing. The transmission cable 5 is used for voltage signal transmission and power supply of the preamplifier 8.

[0022] Preferably, the hydrophone assembly 1 includes a first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6, a second piezoelectric ceramic tube 11, a PEEK shell 9, a sound-transmitting layer 7, and a preamplifier 8. The first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 is installed on the left side of the PEEK shell 9, and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube 11 is installed on the right side of the first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6. The first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube 11 are connected in series, and the right side surface of the first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 and the left side surface of the second piezoelectric ceramic tube 11 are respectively polished so that the two piezoelectric ceramic tubes 6 can maintain consistent performance. The first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube 11 are bonded and fixed with a chemical adhesive, and the chemical adhesive can be silicone glue. The sound-transmitting layer 7 is installed on the left side of the PEEK shell 9. The sound-transmitting layer 7 has a cylindrical structure. The sound-transmitting layer 7 accommodates the first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube 11 inside, and the inner side wall of the sound-transmitting layer 7 is fixedly connected to the first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube 11. The first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube 11 are respectively connected to the preamplifier 8 through wires, and the preamplifier 8 is connected to the transmission cable 5 through wires.

[0023] Preferably, the first piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube 11 are installed in a space enclosed by the interior of the PEEK shell 9 and the interior of the sound-transmitting layer 7 .

[0024] Under the action of sound waves, the PEEK shell 9 vibrates and is transmitted to the piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 through the sound-transmitting layer 7. The piezoelectric effect is used to generate a voltage signal of the same frequency and corresponding intensity. After being amplified by the preamplifier 8, the water pipe leakage sound wave signal is picked up.

[0025] Preferably, the sound-transmitting layer 7 is located between the piezoelectric ceramic tube 6 and the PEEK shell 9 and is made of polyurethane rubber, which has good sound-transmitting properties.

[0026] Preferably, the preamplifier 8 adopts a low-power circuit design with a standard power consumption of less than 1 mW, which is suitable for field environments powered by batteries or solar energy.

[0027] Preferably, the PEEK shell 9 is made of high-strength polyetheretherketone material with a thickness of 2 mm. It has high structural strength and can withstand a maximum hydrostatic pressure of more than 5 MPa. Since PEEK is resistant to high temperatures and chemical corrosion, it will not pollute tap water and is an excellent environmentally friendly material.

[0028] Preferably, the mounting flange 2 is made of stainless steel to achieve a watertight connection between the hydrophone assembly 1 and the cable, and one end thereof is externally threaded for easy installation and fixation on a water pipe.

[0029] The locking nut 3 is made of stainless steel and realizes a reliable connection between the mounting flange 2 and the cable sealing head 4 .

[0030] The cable sealing head 44 is a hydrophone sealing structure. An O-ring is usually used to seal the cable sealing head 4 and the mounting flange 2 , and rubber vulcanization is used to seal the cable sealing head 4 and the transmission cable 5 .

[0031] The transmission cable 55 is used for signal transmission and also supplies power to the preamplifier 8 , and is typically a shielded watertight cable.

[0032] In the utility model, the acoustic-to-electric conversion in the hydrophone component 1 adopts two thin-walled piezoelectric ceramic tubes 6 connected in series to improve the receiving sensitivity; the part of the acoustic wave sensor in contact with tap water is made of polyetheretherketone and stainless steel, which will not pollute the tap water and meet environmental protection requirements; the acoustic wave sensor realizes a reliable watertight connection between the hydrophone component 1 and the transmission cable 5, and is directly installed in the water pipe using pipe threads, with a simple structure and easy installation.

[0033] The working principle of the utility model is: when a water pipe leaks, an acoustic wave signal is generated and propagated in the water pipe. After the acoustic wave signal generated by the leak is received by the acoustic wave sensor installed in the water pipe, a voltage signal of corresponding intensity and the same frequency is generated due to the piezoelectric effect. After amplification, it is transmitted to the back-end signal processing system, thereby accurately determining the location of the leak.

[0034] The above merely describes a preferred embodiment of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any skilled person in the art, according to the technical scheme and the inventive concept of the present application, makes equivalent replacement or change within the technical range disclosed by the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A water pipe detection acoustic sensor, comprising a hydrophone assembly (1), a mounting flange (2), a locking nut (3), a cable sealing head (4), and a transmission cable (5), characterized in that: The right end of the hydrophone assembly (1) is installed with a mounting flange (2), and the hydrophone assembly (1) and the mounting flange (2) are tightly matched and are watertight using an "O"-shaped sealing ring; a locking nut (3) is installed on the right side of the mounting flange (2), and the locking nut (3) reliably fixes the cable sealing head (4) in the cavity of the mounting flange (2) to prevent it from detaching; the transmission cable (5) is installed in the cable sealing head (4), and after the cable sealing head (4) fixes the cable, the hydrophone assembly (1) includes a first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6), a second piezoelectric ceramic tube (11), a PEEK shell (9), a sound-transmitting layer (7), and a preamplifier (8); the first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6) is installed on the left side of the PEEK shell (9), the second piezoelectric ceramic tube (11) is installed on the right side of the first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6), and the first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6) and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube (11) are installed on the right side of the first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6). The piezoelectric ceramic tubes (11) are connected in series, and the right side of the first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6) and the left side of the second piezoelectric ceramic tube (11) are respectively ground flat so that the two piezoelectric ceramic tubes (6) can maintain consistent performance. The first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6) and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube (11) are bonded and fixed with a chemical adhesive. A sound-transmitting layer (7) is installed on the left side of the PEEK shell (9). The sound-transmitting layer (7) is a cylindrical structure. The sound-transmitting layer (7) accommodates the first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6) and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube (11) inside, and the inner side wall of the sound-transmitting layer (7) is fixedly connected to the first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6) and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube (11). The first piezoelectric ceramic tube (6) and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube (11) are respectively connected to a preamplifier (8) through a wire, and the preamplifier (8) is connected to a transmission cable (5) through a wire.

2. The water pipe detection acoustic sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first piezoelectric ceramic tube and the second piezoelectric ceramic tube are installed in a space enclosed by the interior of the PEEK shell and the interior of the sound-transmitting layer.

3. The water pipe detection acoustic sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sound-transmitting layer (7) is located between the piezoelectric ceramic tube (6) and the PEEK shell (9), and is made of polyurethane rubber.

Images