Pipe leak detection system using ultrasonic waves

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for detecting pipe leaks in a structure in which pipes such as heating pipes in the floor of a house are buried, the pipe leaks being detected using ultrasonic waves, and more specifically, to a system for detecting pipe leaks using ultrasonic waves, wherein the system analyzes information on whether a leak is present in a portion of a structure under examination and the depth of the leak on the basis of information about the average delay between a first reflected wave and a second reflected wave at the portion of the structure under examination in a normal state without leaks and information about the delay between the first and second reflected waves analyzed at the portion of the structure under examination, analyzes information about the position of a pipe buried in the structure and the type of the pipe on the basis of information obtained by analyzing the signal of third reflected waves reflected and received from the pipe buried in the structure, and analyzes information about a leaking portion of the buried pipe on the basis of information about a decrease in signal strength between the third reflected waves reflected from the surface of the buried pipe and the third reflected waves reflected after passing through the buried pipe.

Description

Ultrasonic Pipe Leak Detection System

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for detecting a pipe leak in a structure in which a pipe, such as an underfloor heating pipe, is buried using ultrasonic waves, and more specifically, to a pipe leak detection system utilizing ultrasonic waves, which analyzes information on whether there is a water leak and the depth of the leak at a portion of a target structure in a normal state where there is no leak based on average information on the delay time between a first reflected wave and a second reflected wave and information on the delay time between the first and second reflected waves analyzed at the portion of the target structure, and which analyzes information on the location or shape of the buried pipe within the structure based on information on the signal of the third reflected wave reflected and received from the buried pipe within the structure, as well as information on the signal size decrease between the third reflected wave reflected from the surface of the buried pipe and the third reflected wave reflected after passing through the buried pipe.

[0002] In the past, the method of detecting leaks in buried pipes, such as water pipes buried underground or heating pipes buried in the floor of a building, was mainly used to detect leaks.

[0003] However, these acoustic leak detection systems have fundamental problems, such as being greatly affected by factors such as ambient noise because they detect very small sounds to check for leaks, and their accuracy is very low unless performed by highly skilled experts.

[0004] In addition, a method of detecting leak noise generated by installing a sensor directly in a pipe or inside a pipe is being developed. However, in the case of this method, depending on the material and shape of the medium transmitting the leak noise (pipes and pipe accessories, etc.), the sound may be deformed, attenuated, or distorted during the transmission process, and the problem may arise that the accuracy of detecting the point of fluid leakage may vary greatly depending on environmental conditions.

[0005] <Patent Document> Patent Registration No. 10-2233736 (announced on March 30, 2021) "Pipe Insertion Type Leakage Detection Device"

[0006] The prior art disclosed in the above-mentioned <patent document> also consists of a leak detection sensor installed in direct contact with the fluid flowing through the pipe and along the inside thereof, and a leak detection unit installed in connection with the leak detection sensor to collect and process the leak noise collected by the sensor, thereby applying a method of quickly detecting the leak noise of the fluid caused by pipe breakage, etc. transmitted through the fluid medium flowing inside the pipe. However, this also has problems with the cumbersome and complicated process of installing the sensor inside the pipe, and the problem of skill and accuracy due to the fundamental limitation of detection based on the leak noise.

[0007] Therefore, the need for a system that provides a non-destructive and more rapid and accurate analysis of buried pipes to determine the presence, extent, and location of leaks is increasing.

[0008] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pipe leak detection system utilizing ultrasonic waves that irradiate ultrasonic waves having a predetermined frequency while moving along the surface (floor surface) of a structure in which a pipe, such as an underfloor heating pipe of a house, is buried, and then analyzes the reflected wave signal that returns to provide an analysis of the range of water leakage within the structure or the leak area in the buried pipe.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic pipe leak detection system that analyzes and provides information on whether there is a leak and the depth of the leak at a detection target structure based on the average information on the delay time between the first and second reflected waves at a detection target structure in a normal state where there is no leak, and the delay time information between the first and second reflected waves analyzed at the detection target structure.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic pipe leak detection system that analyzes and provides information on a point where water is leaking downward from the bottom of a structure based on information on a signal size decrease between the first and second reflected waves analyzed at a portion of a target structure, based on average information on the delay time between the first and second reflected waves at a portion of a target structure in a normal state where there is no leak.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic-based pipe leak detection system that analyzes the signal of the third reflection wave reflected and received from a pipe buried in a structure, and provides information on the location or shape of the pipe buried in the structure based on the analyzed information, as well as information on the area of ​​a leak in the buried pipe based on the signal size reduction between the third reflection wave reflected from the surface of the buried pipe and the third reflection wave reflected after passing through the buried pipe.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe leak detection system utilizing ultrasound, which comprehensively analyzes information on a buried pipe likely to have a leak or an expected leak location in the buried pipe based on information on the depth of the leak for each area where a leak is confirmed in a detection target structure area analyzed through a leak confirmation module and the location of the buried pipe confirmed through a pipe information analysis module, information on a point where water is leaking downward from the bottom of the structure analyzed through a leak point analysis module, and information analyzed through a pipe leak confirmation module to identify and provide a leak location in the buried pipe.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic-based pipe leak detection system capable of repeatedly checking for leaks at a specific leak point in a pipe buried in a structure by analyzing an acoustic signal collected through a separate acoustic sensor for a specific area identified as a leak point in the pipe through a third leak analysis module.

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention is implemented by an embodiment having the following configuration.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for detecting a water leak using ultrasonic waves in a pipe buried in a structure according to the present invention is characterized by including: a detection device main body that detects a water leak in a pipe buried in a structure and detects whether or not the pipe is leaking while moving along the surface of the buried structure; an ultrasonic irradiation unit coupled to the detection device main body that irradiates ultrasonic waves having a predetermined frequency; an ultrasonic receiver that detects a reflected wave that is irradiated by the ultrasonic irradiation unit and then returns through the structure in which the pipe is buried; and a signal analysis unit that analyzes a signal of the received reflected wave to analyze a range of a water leak in the structure or a leak location in the buried pipe.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the signal analysis unit in the present invention is characterized by including a first reflection wave analysis module that analyzes a signal of a first reflection wave reflected and received from a surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried, a second reflection wave analysis module that analyzes a signal of a second reflection wave reflected and received from a bottom surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried, and a leakage range analysis module that analyzes a leakage range within the structure based on information analyzed by the first reflection wave analysis module and the second reflection wave analysis module.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first reflected wave analysis module includes a first reflected wave time analysis module that analyzes signal reception time information of a first reflected wave reflected from a surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried and received, and a first reflected wave amplitude analysis module that analyzes signal magnitude information of the first reflected wave reflected from a surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried and received, and the second reflected wave analysis module includes a second reflected wave time analysis module that analyzes signal reception time information of a second reflected wave reflected from a bottom surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried and received, and a second reflected wave amplitude analysis module that analyzes signal magnitude information of the second reflected wave reflected from a bottom surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried and received.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the water leak range analysis module in the present invention is characterized by including a reference value setting module that analyzes average information of the delay time between the first and second reflected waves and average information of the size reduction range between the first and second reflected waves based on information analyzed multiple times by the first reflected wave analysis module and the second reflected wave analysis module in a normal state of a detection target structure where no water leaks, and a leak confirmation module that analyzes whether or not there is a water leak and information on the depth of the leak at the corresponding area based on the delay time between the first and second reflected waves analyzed by the first and second reflected wave time analysis module in the detection target structure area and the information in the reference value setting module.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the signal analysis unit in the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a leakage point analysis module that analyzes information on a point where water leaks downward from the bottom of the structure based on the signal size reduction between the first and second reflected waves analyzed by the first reflection wave analysis module and the second reflection wave analysis module at the detection target structure portion and information from the reference value setting module.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the signal analysis unit in the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a third reflection wave analysis module that analyzes a signal of a third reflected wave reflected and received from a pipe buried in a structure, and a buried pipe analysis module that analyzes a location of a pipe buried in a structure and a leak area in the buried pipe based on information analyzed by the third reflection wave analysis module.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the third reflection analysis module includes a third reflection time analysis module that analyzes signal reception time information of a third reflection wave reflected and received from a buried pipe in a structure, and a third reflection phase analysis module that analyzes signal magnitude information of a third reflection wave reflected and received from a buried pipe in a structure, and the buried pipe analysis module includes a pipe information analysis module that analyzes location information or shape information of a buried pipe in a structure based on information analyzed by the third reflection phase analysis module, and a pipe leakage confirmation module that analyzes information on a leak area in a buried pipe based on information on a signal magnitude decrease between the third reflection wave reflected from the surface of the buried pipe analyzed by the third reflection phase analysis module and the third reflection wave reflected after passing through the buried pipe.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the signal analysis unit in the present invention further includes a leak point analysis module that provides information on a leak point in a buried pipe within a detection target structure based on information provided through analysis, and the leak point analysis module includes: a first leak analysis module that analyzes and provides information on a buried pipe likely to leak or a predicted leak point in the buried pipe based on information on the depth of leak for each part of the detection target structure analyzed through the leak confirmation module and the location of the buried pipe identified through the pipe information analysis module; a second leak analysis module that analyzes and provides information on a buried pipe likely to leak or a predicted leak point in the buried pipe based on information on a point where water leaks downward from the bottom of the structure analyzed through the leak point analysis module; and comprehensively analyzes information analyzed through the first leak analysis module, the second leak analysis module, and the pipe leak confirmation module to specify a leak point in the buried pipe. It is characterized by including a third leak analysis module provided.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the system according to the present invention further includes an acoustic sensor for collecting acoustic signals, and the leak point analysis module further includes a fourth leak analysis module for analyzing an acoustic signal collected through the acoustic sensor at a location identified as a leak point in a pipe buried in a structure through the third leak analysis module to repeatedly check for leakage at the corresponding leak point.

[0025] The present invention can obtain the following effects through the combination and use of the configuration described above and the following examples.

[0026] The present invention can analyze the range of water leakage within the structure or the leaking area in the buried pipe by analyzing the reflected wave signal that returns after irradiating ultrasonic waves having a predetermined frequency while the pipe, such as the heating pipe in the floor of a house, moves along the surface (floor surface) of the buried structure, and then providing the analysis.

[0027] The present invention has the effect of analyzing and providing information on whether there is a leak and the depth of the leak at a detection target structure based on the average information on the delay time between the first and second reflected waves at a detection target structure in a normal state where there is no leak, and the delay time information between the first and second reflected waves analyzed at the detection target structure.

[0028] The present invention has the effect of analyzing and providing information on a point where water leaks downward from the bottom of a structure based on information on the signal size reduction between the first and second reflected waves analyzed at a portion of a detection target structure, based on average information on the delay time between the first and second reflected waves at a portion of a detection target structure in a normal state where there is no leakage.

[0029] The present invention has the effect of analyzing a signal of a third reflection wave reflected and received from a buried pipe within a structure, and providing information on the location or shape of a buried pipe within a structure based on the analyzed information, as well as information on a leakage area in a buried pipe based on information on a decrease in signal size between the third reflection wave reflected from the surface of the buried pipe and the third reflection wave reflected after passing through the buried pipe.

[0030] The present invention has the effect of providing information on buried pipes likely to leak or on expected leak locations in the buried pipes based on the depth information of leaks in each area of ​​a target structure analyzed through a leak confirmation module and the location of buried pipes confirmed through a pipe information analysis module, information on points where water leaks downward from the bottom of a structure analyzed through a leak point analysis module, and information analyzed through a pipe leak confirmation module, thereby accurately identifying and providing leak locations in buried pipes.

[0031] The present invention has the effect of enabling repeated checking for leakage at a specific leak point in a pipe embedded in a structure by analyzing an acoustic signal collected through a separate acoustic sensor for the specific leak point through a third leak analysis module.

[0032] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a house floor structure with buried heating pipes.

[0033] Figure 2 is a reference diagram for the condition of the floor structure when a leak occurs in a specific heating pipe.

[0034] Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of a water leak detection system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the signal analysis unit.

[0036] Figure 5 is a data graph showing the A-Scan signal for the first and second reflected waves.

[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an ultrasonic pipe leak detection system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that identical components are represented by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, as much as possible. Unless otherwise defined, all terms in this specification have the same general meaning as those terms understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and if there is a conflict with the meaning of a term used in this specification, the definitions used in this specification shall apply. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but rather that other components may be included, unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, terms such as "... part" and "... module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0038]

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, an ultrasonic-based pipe leak detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a detection device main body (10) that detects a leak in a pipe buried in a structure (particularly, a heating pipe buried in the floor of a house) and detects the presence of a leak while the pipe moves along the surface of the buried structure (such as the floor surface where the heating pipe is buried); an ultrasonic irradiation unit (30) coupled to the detection device main body (10) that irradiates ultrasonic waves having a predetermined frequency; an ultrasonic receiver (50) that detects a reflected wave that returns through the structure where the pipe is buried after being irradiated by the ultrasonic irradiation unit (30); and a signal analysis unit (70) that analyzes a signal of the received reflected wave to analyze a range of a leak in the structure or a leak location in the buried pipe.

[0040] First, let's look at the characteristics of ultrasound utilized in the present invention. Sound is classified according to its frequency. Ultrasound is a type of sound and is defined as sound with a frequency higher than the audible frequency range for humans (audible frequency, 20 to 20,000 Hz). Typically, the range of 20,000 Hz to 30 MHz is referred to as ultrasound. Ultrasound, which is commonly used in non-destructive testing, has a low frequency but is utilized with a strong intensity. Electrical impedance is used as a measure of the difficulty of ultrasound transmitting through an object. At the boundary where objects with different electrical resistances meet, reflection or refraction of ultrasound occurs. The greater the difference in electrical resistance between the two objects, the greater the amount of ultrasound reflected. In addition, ultrasound propagates through solids and liquids (i.e., ultrasound can pass through them) but has difficulty transmitting through air. The propagation speed of ultrasound varies depending on the medium, but generally, it propagates faster in solids than in liquids.

[0041] Meanwhile, looking at the floor structure of a house with buried heating pipes that the leak detection system of the present invention directly targets, referring to FIG. 1, in the case of the floor structure of a house including a multi-family house such as an apartment, insulation or sound-absorbing material for the purpose of insulation or sound absorption is generally installed on the floor concrete that serves as the foundation of the floor, and foam concrete containing an air layer is poured on top of that, and after the heating pipes for heating are positioned on the foam concrete, the floor mortar is constructed to complete the floor structure. In other words, the structure of the house floor is generally arranged in the order of 'floor mortar - heating pipes - foam concrete - insulation (sound-absorbing material)' from the top to the bottom.

[0042] When a leak occurs in a specific heating pipe in the floor structure of a house with buried heating pipes, the resulting condition of the house's floor structure can be predicted. Referring to Figure 2, water that first leaks from the bottom of the specific heating pipe where the leak occurred will spread further and further downward through the foamed concrete below the pipe, widening the area of ​​leakage. Foamed concrete usually contains air layers at irregular intervals, and the leaked water will not only hold moisture in the foamed concrete itself, but also fill the air layers with water. The water that has gradually expanded the area of ​​leakage as it goes downward will leak through the cracked area at the very bottom of the foamed concrete, ultimately passing through the insulation (sound-absorbing material) and the floor concrete or (in the case of apartment buildings) the wall concrete, and continue to leak to the floor below.

[0043] The present invention provides a pipe leak detection system utilizing ultrasonic waves that can accurately analyze and provide detection of the range of leakage and the depth of leakage, which is caused when a leak occurs in a specific heating pipe in the floor structure of a house in which the heating pipe is buried, and the detection of the point where water is leaking downward from the bottom of the structure (aerated concrete) and the detection of the leaking part (leakage point) in the buried pipe, as water flows out from the bottom of the specific heating pipe where the leak occurs and spreads more widely as it goes down along the aerated concrete under the heating pipe. To this end, the main components included in the system of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0044] The above detection device main body (10) detects water leakage in pipes buried in a structure (particularly, heating pipes buried in the floor of a house, etc.), and is configured to detect water leakage while moving along the surface of the structure where the pipe is buried (the floor surface where the heating pipe is buried, etc.). A separate handle or moving means such as wheels may be provided so that the user can carry it around and move it along the surface of the structure where the pipe is buried (the floor surface where the heating pipe is buried, etc.). Among the components included in the above detection device main body (10), the ultrasonic irradiation unit (30) or ultrasonic reception unit (50) to be described later is preferably located on the bottom surface of the detection device main body (10), that is, at a portion facing the surface of the structure where the pipe is buried (such as the floor surface where the heating pipe is buried) when the detection device main body (10) is used, and the bottom surface of the detection device main body (10) may be formed in a form that is slightly spaced apart from the surface of the structure where the pipe is buried (such as the floor surface where the heating pipe is buried).

[0045] The above ultrasonic irradiation unit (30) is coupled to the above detection device main body (10) and is configured to irradiate ultrasonic waves having a predetermined frequency. Typically, elements having a piezoelectric effect, such as tourmaline and ceramic, are utilized, and elements having the property of generating electricity when force is applied at a right angle and vibrating when an electric signal is applied conversely, are utilized. A transducer, etc. is used to generate ultrasonic waves. An electric signal is applied to the transducer to generate ultrasonic waves, and the electric signal generated from the transducer can be detected according to the returning reflected wave, and the signal intensity can be displayed as an image, etc., depending on the signal intensity, etc. The ultrasonic waves irradiated by the above ultrasonic irradiation unit (30) can be low-frequency ultrasonic waves within the range of 200 kHz to 1.5 MHz. However, considering the signal collection of the second reflected wave reflected from the bottom of the concrete floor structure (floor mortar, aerated concrete, etc.) which is the detection target of the present invention, low-frequency ultrasonic waves within the range of 500 kHz to 1 MHz are most preferable.

[0046] The above ultrasonic receiver (50) is configured to detect the reflected wave that returns through the structure in which the pipe is embedded after being irradiated by the above ultrasonic irradiator (30). As described above, it detects an electric signal generated from the reflected wave that returns using a converter or the like and provides it to the signal analysis unit (70) described later.

[0047] The above signal analysis unit (70) is configured to analyze the signal of the reflected wave received through the ultrasonic receiver (50) to analyze the range of water leakage within the structure or the leakage area in the buried pipe, and is a configuration that performs the core functions of the system of the present invention, which include the detection of the range of water leakage and the depth of water leakage in the floor structure of a house in which the heating pipe is buried, the detection of the point where water is leaking downward from the bottom of the structure (aerated concrete), and the analysis for the detection of the leakage area (leakage point) in the buried pipe. An example of the signal analysis unit (70) for this purpose may include a first reflection wave analysis module (710) that specifically analyzes a signal of a first reflection wave reflected and received from the surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried, a second reflection wave analysis module (720) that analyzes a signal of a second reflection wave reflected and received from the bottom surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried, a leakage range analysis module (730) that analyzes a range of water leakage within a structure based on information analyzed by the first reflection wave analysis module (710) and the second reflection wave analysis module (720), and a leakage point analysis module (740) that analyzes information on a point where water leaks downward from the bottom surface of a structure based on information from the reference value setting module (731) and the signal size decrease between the first and second reflection waves analyzed by the first reflection wave analysis module (712) and the second reflection wave analysis module (722) at the target structure area.

[0048] The above first reflected wave analysis module (710) is configured to analyze the signal of the first reflected wave reflected and received from the surface of the structure in which the pipe is buried, and more specifically, to analyze the reception time and size information of the first reflected wave reflected and received from the surface of the structure in which the pipe is buried. To this end, the first reflected wave analysis module (710) may include a first reflected wave time analysis module (711) that analyzes the signal reception time information of the first reflected wave reflected and received from the surface of the structure in which the pipe is buried, and a first reflected wave time analysis module (712) that analyzes the signal size information of the first reflected wave reflected and received from the surface of the structure in which the pipe is buried.

[0049] The above first reflection time analysis module (711) is configured to analyze the signal reception time information of the first reflection wave reflected and received from the surface of a structure in which pipes are buried. The time taken for the first reflection wave, which is received by reflecting ultrasonic waves irradiated through the bottom surface of the detection device main body (10) slightly spaced apart from the surface of the structure in which pipes are buried (such as the floor surface in which heating pipes are buried) and reflected from the surface of the structure, to be received is approximately 30 to 40 μs, and as described later, the time taken for the second reflection wave, which is reflected and received from the bottom of the structure after passing through general floor mortar and aerated concrete, is approximately 50 to 60 μs. As described later, if there is water leaking into the floor mortar or aerated concrete, the second reflection wave is received relatively more slowly due to the presence of water with a relatively slow speed of sound. Referring to FIG. 5, (1) of FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the A-Scan signals in which the first and second reflection waves are received respectively on the surface of a structure in which a general pipe is buried without leaks (the floor surface in which the heating pipe is buried), and (2) of FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the A-Scan signals in which the first and second reflection waves are received respectively on the surface of a structure in a leaky state (the floor surface). It can be confirmed that the second reflection wave is received more slowly in (2) of FIG. 5.

[0050] The above first reflection wave analysis module (712) is configured to analyze the signal size information of the first reflection wave reflected and received from the surface of the structure in which the pipe is embedded. The size of the first reflection wave reflected and received from the surface of the structure immediately after being irradiated by the ultrasonic irradiation unit (30) is relatively large, whereas the second reflection wave reflected and received from the bottom surface of the structure after passing through the floor mortar and the foam concrete shows a decrease in signal size during the process of passing through the floor mortar and the foam concrete. In particular, when there is water leaking into the floor mortar or the foam concrete, or further, when water leaks downward through a crack in the bottom surface of the foam concrete, the decrease in signal size of the second reflection wave becomes even greater as the ultrasonic waves leak outward along with the leaked water. Referring to FIG. 5, (1) of FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the A-Scan signals in which the first and second reflection waves are received on the surface of a structure (floor surface) where a general pipe is buried without leaking (the surface where the heating pipe is buried), and (2) of FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the A-Scan signals in which the first and second reflection waves are received on the surface of a structure (floor surface) where leaking occurs. It can be confirmed that there is no significant change in the size of the first reflection wave in FIG. 5 (1) and (2), whereas the decrease in the size of the second reflection wave is relatively more noticeable in FIG. 5 (2).

[0051] The second reflected wave analysis module (720) is configured to analyze the signal of the second reflected wave reflected and received from the bottom of the structure in which the pipe is buried, and the second reflected wave analysis module (720) may also include, like the first reflected wave analysis module (710), a second reflected wave time analysis module (721) that analyzes signal reception time information of the second reflected wave reflected and received from the bottom of the structure in which the pipe is buried, and a second reflected wave amplitude analysis module (722) that analyzes signal size information of the second reflected wave reflected and received from the bottom of the structure in which the pipe is buried.

[0052] The above second reflection time analysis module (721) is configured to analyze the signal reception time information of the second reflection wave reflected and received from the bottom of the structure where the pipe is buried. As described above, when there is water leaking into the floor mortar or aerated concrete, the second reflection wave is received relatively more slowly due to the presence of water with a relatively slow speed of sound. Therefore, by utilizing this characteristic, it is possible to analyze the leakage range or leakage point, etc., as will be described later.

[0053] The above second reflection wave analysis module (722) is configured to analyze the signal size information of the second reflection wave that is reflected and received from the bottom surface of the structure in which the pipe is embedded. As described above, in the case of the second reflection wave that is reflected and received from the bottom surface of the structure after passing through the floor mortar and the foam concrete, the signal decreases during the process of passing through the floor mortar and the foam concrete. In particular, in the case where there is water leaking into the floor mortar or the foam concrete, or further, where water leaks downward through cracks in the bottom surface of the foam concrete, the signal size decrease of the second reflection wave becomes even greater as the ultrasonic waves leak outward along the leaking water. Therefore, by utilizing this characteristic, it is possible to analyze the range of the leakage or the leakage point, as will be described later.

[0054] The above-mentioned leakage range analysis module (730) is configured to analyze the leakage range within a structure based on the information analyzed by the first reflection wave analysis module (710) and the second reflection wave analysis module (720). To this end, the leakage range analysis module (730) is configured to, more specifically, analyze the average information of the delay time between the first and second reflection waves and the average information of the size reduction range between the first and second reflection waves based on the information analyzed multiple times by the first reflection wave analysis module (710) and the second reflection wave analysis module (720) in the normal state of the detection target structure where there is no leakage. The reference value setting module (731) analyzes the delay time between the first and second reflection waves analyzed by the first reflection wave time analysis module (711) and the second reflection wave time analysis module (721) in the detection target structure area and the information in the reference value setting module (731). It may include a leak detection module (732) that analyzes whether there is a leak in the relevant area and / or information on the depth of the leak.

[0055] The above-mentioned reference value setting module (731) is configured to analyze the average information of the delay time between the first and second reflected waves and the average information of the size reduction range between the first and second reflected waves based on the information analyzed multiple times by the first reflected wave analysis module (710) and the second reflected wave analysis module (720) in the normal state of the detection target structure without leaks. In other words, since the delay time or the size reduction range between the first and second reflected waves of the detection target structure varies depending on the state of the structure (i.e., depending on the degree of defects such as cracks, etc.), the above-mentioned reference value setting module (731) performs the function of analyzing and providing the reference value for the average information of the delay time between the first and second reflected waves and the average information of the size reduction range between the first and second reflected waves by irradiating and receiving ultrasonic waves multiple times on the detection target structure itself (for the normal state of the detection target structure without leaks). The criteria analyzed and provided in this way are used to detect leaks / leaking areas.

[0056] The above-mentioned water leak confirmation module (732) is configured to analyze the presence of water leakage and / or the depth of water leakage at the relevant area based on the delay time between the first and second reflection waves analyzed by the first reflection time analysis module (711) and the second reflection time analysis module (721) at the area of ​​the target structure for detection and the information from the reference value setting module (731) (average information on the delay time between the first and second reflection waves at the area of ​​the target structure (area without leakage)). In particular, the water leak confirmation module (732) analyzes the presence of water leakage and / or the depth of water leakage based on the difference between the delay time between the first and second reflection waves at a specific point and the reference value as a main variable. As explained above, when there is water leaking into the floor mortar or aerated concrete, the second reflected wave is received relatively more slowly due to the presence of water with a relatively slow speed of sound. Therefore, the longer the delay time between the first and second reflected waves is compared to the above-mentioned reference value, the deeper the leak depth can be analyzed.

[0057] The above leakage point analysis module (740) is configured to analyze information on a point where water leaks downward from the bottom of a structure based on the signal size reduction range between the first and second reflection waves analyzed by the first reflection wave analysis module (712) and the second reflection wave analysis module (722) at the detection target structure area and the information from the reference value setting module (731) (average information on the size reduction range between the first and second reflection waves at the detection target structure (area where there is no leakage)). In particular, the leakage point analysis module (740) analyzes whether there is a point where water leaks downward from the bottom of the structure at the point, using as a main variable the degree of difference in the signal size reduction range between the first and second reflection waves at a specific point compared to the reference value. As explained above, at points where water leaks downward through cracks in the foamed concrete bottom, the signal size of the second reflected wave decreases significantly as the ultrasonic waves leak outward along with the leaking water. Therefore, in areas where the signal size decrease between the first and second reflected waves is significantly greater, it is possible to analyze that there is a point where water is leaking downward from the bottom of the structure at that point.

[0058]

[0059] Meanwhile, as another example of the signal analysis unit (70), the signal analysis unit (70) may further include a third reflection wave analysis module (750) that additionally analyzes a signal of a third reflection wave received by being reflected from a pipe buried in a structure, a buried pipe analysis module (760) that analyzes the location of the pipe buried in the structure and the leakage area in the buried pipe based on the information analyzed by the third reflection wave analysis module (750), and a leak point analysis module (770) that provides information on a leak point in the pipe buried in the target structure based on the information provided through the analysis.

[0060] The third reflection wave analysis module (750) above is configured to analyze the signal of the third reflection wave reflected and received from the pipe buried in the structure. That is, since the heating pipe located under the floor mortar of the structure is filled with water, the electrical resistance to ultrasonic waves is different (varying by a relatively large range) at the boundary between the floor mortar and the water (or heating pipe), and the third reflection wave is received through the ultrasonic receiver (50). The third reflection wave analysis module (750) analyzes the signal of this third reflection wave. To this end, the third reflected wave analysis module (750) may more specifically include a third reflected wave time analysis module (751) that analyzes signal reception time information of the third reflected wave reflected and received from a pipe buried in a structure, and a third reflected wave phase analysis module (752) that analyzes signal size information of the third reflected wave reflected and received from a pipe buried in a structure.

[0061] The above third reflection time analysis module (751) analyzes the signal reception time information of the third reflection wave, and usually, the third reflection wave is received at a time between the first and second reflection waves described above. However, due to the characteristics of the third reflection wave, there is a signal that is primarily reflected at the boundary between the floor mortar and water (or heating pipe) and, after passing through the water of the heating pipe, there is a signal that is secondarily reflected at the boundary between the water (or heating pipe) and the floor mortar (or aerated concrete). As will be described later, through the signal reception time information of the third reflection wave, it is possible to analyze the location of the pipe embedded in the structure or the shape information of the pipe.

[0062] The above third reflection wave analysis module (752) analyzes the signal size information of the third reflection wave. As described above, due to the characteristics of the third reflection wave, there is a difference in the signal size of the third reflection wave at the boundary between the floor mortar and water (or heating pipe) and then again at the boundary between water (or heating pipe) and floor mortar (or foam concrete) (especially, the area where there is a leak). As described below, this makes it possible to analyze the area of ​​leakage in the buried pipe.

[0063] The above buried pipe analysis module (760) is configured to analyze the location of buried pipes within a structure and the leakage area in the buried pipes based on the information analyzed by the third reflected wave analysis module (750). To this end, the buried pipe analysis module (760) may more specifically include a pipe information analysis module (761) that analyzes the location of buried pipes within a structure or the shape information of the pipes based on the information analyzed by the third reflected wave analysis module (750), and a pipe leakage confirmation module (762) that analyzes information on the leakage area in the buried pipe based on the signal size reduction information between the third reflected wave reflected from the surface of the buried pipe analyzed by the third reflected wave analysis module (752) and the third reflected wave reflected after passing through the buried pipe.

[0064] The above pipe information analysis module (761) is configured to analyze the location or shape information of the pipe buried in the structure based on the information analyzed by the third reflection analysis module (750). That is, if there is no separate buried pipe underneath a specific point where measurement is performed on the surface of the target structure, the third reflection wave is not received, and the third reflection wave is received only when there is a buried pipe, so that the presence or absence of a buried pipe at the point in question (or the installation interval of the buried pipe, etc.) can be confirmed based on whether or not the third reflection wave is received. In addition, based on the signal reception time information of the third reflection wave that is primarily reflected at the boundary between the floor mortar and the water (or the heating pipe), the location (depth) information of the buried pipe at the point in question can be analyzed. In addition, if the signal reception time information of the third reflection wave that is secondarily reflected at the boundary between the water (or the heating pipe) and the floor mortar (or the aerated concrete) after passing through the water of the heating pipe is included in the analysis, the corresponding It is also possible to analyze pipe shape information (cross-section shape (circular, etc.) information).

[0065] The above pipe leak confirmation module (762) is configured to analyze information on a leak site in a buried pipe based on information on the signal size reduction between the third reflection wave reflected from the surface of the buried pipe analyzed by the third reflection wave analysis module (752) and the third reflection wave reflected after passing through the buried pipe. As described above, if a crack occurs at a specific point in the buried pipe and water inside the pipe leaks to the outside, the third reflection wave that passed through the inside of the pipe (water) at that point (leakage site) is not reflected again at the boundary between the water (or heating pipe) and the floor mortar (or aerated concrete) and the third reflection wave also leaks to the outside along with the water leaking to the outside, resulting in a large decrease in the signal size of the third reflection wave. Therefore, the pipe leak confirmation module (762) analyzes the signal size between the third reflection wave reflected from the surface of the buried pipe and the third reflection wave reflected after passing through the buried pipe. By analyzing the degree of reduction, information can be provided about the leak location in the buried pipe.

[0066] The above-mentioned leak point analysis module (770) is configured to more accurately specify and provide information on the leak point in the buried pipe within the target structure for detection based on various information analyzed and provided through the signal analysis unit (70), etc. To this end, the above-mentioned leak point analysis module (770) is configured to more specifically provide information on the buried pipe likely to leak or the expected leak site in the buried pipe based on the leak depth information for each area where leaks are confirmed in the target structure area analyzed through the leak confirmation module (732) and the location of the buried pipe confirmed through the pipe information analysis module (761), a first leak analysis module (771), which analyzes and provides information on the buried pipe likely to leak or the expected leak site in the buried pipe based on the information on the area where water leaks downward from the bottom of the structure analyzed through the leak point analysis module (740), a second leak analysis module (772), which analyzes and provides information on the buried pipe likely to leak or the expected leak site in the buried pipe, It may include a third leak analysis module (773) that comprehensively analyzes information analyzed through the first leak analysis module (771), the second leak analysis module (772), and the pipe leak confirmation module (762) to identify and provide a leak point in the buried pipe.

[0067] The first water leak analysis module (771) is configured to analyze and provide information on buried pipes likely to leak or predicted leak locations in the buried pipes based on the depth information of the leak confirmed in each area of ​​the target structure analyzed by the leak confirmation module (732) and the location of buried pipes confirmed by the pipe information analysis module (761). As described above, water flowing out from the bottom of a specific heating pipe where a leak has occurred will have a distribution in which the area of ​​the leak widens as it travels down the foamed concrete below the heating pipe, thereby spreading more widely. Accordingly, the first water leak analysis module (771) can analyze and provide information on buried pipes likely to leak or predicted leak locations in the buried pipes by comparing the location information (arrangement interval, etc.) of the confirmed buried pipes with the analysis information on the point from which the leak occurred and spread based on the depth information of the leak confirmed in each area.

[0068] The second water leak analysis module (772) is configured to analyze and provide information on buried pipes likely to leak or predicted leak locations in the buried pipes based on information on where water is leaking downward from the bottom of the structure analyzed by the leak point analysis module (740). As described above, water that starts leaking from a specific pipe gradually expands its leakage range as it goes down and leaks downward through a crack that occurs at the very bottom of the foamed concrete. The leak location usually occurs close to the pipe where the leak started, and even if leakage occurs from multiple locations, it is highly likely that the leak started from the center of the multiple locations. Therefore, the second water leak analysis module (772) can analyze and provide information on buried pipes likely to leak or predicted leak locations in the buried pipes by comparing the analysis information on where water is leaking downward from the bottom of the structure with information on the location (arrangement interval, etc.) of the confirmed buried pipes.

[0069] The third leak analysis module (773) is configured to comprehensively analyze information analyzed through the first leak analysis module (771), the second leak analysis module (772), and the pipe leak confirmation module (762) to identify and provide leak points in buried pipes. In other words, it is a configuration that synthesizes information on expected leak locations provided in various ways in the present invention to identify and provide more accurate leak points in buried pipes. To be more specific, based on the information on the depth of the leak at each area where the leak was confirmed through the first leak analysis module (771), the predicted analysis information on the point from which the leak occurred and spread, and the information on the location (arrangement interval, etc.) of the buried pipe confirmed together with the analysis information on the point where water is leaking downward from the bottom of the structure through the second leak analysis module (772), and in addition, based on the degree of signal size reduction between the third reflected wave reflected from the surface of the buried pipe and the third reflected wave reflected after passing through the buried pipe through the pipe leak confirmation module (762), the predicted information on the leak area in the buried pipe is comprehensively analyzed, so that the leak area in the buried pipe can be more accurately specified and provided.

[0070]

[0071] Meanwhile, as another embodiment of the pipe leak detection system according to the present invention, the system of the present invention may further include an acoustic sensor (90) that collects acoustic signals, and the leak point analysis module (770) may further include a fourth leak analysis module (774) that analyzes the acoustic signal collected through the acoustic sensor (90) for a portion identified as a leak point in a pipe buried in a structure through the third leak analysis module (773) and repeatedly checks for leakage at the corresponding leak point.

[0072] The above acoustic sensor (90) is configured to collect acoustic signals, and for example, the acoustic sensor (90) can be implemented using an ultra-small microphone with a MEMS (Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems) structure. In the case of a leakage sound that occurs when a leak occurs in a pipe buried in a structure, it is very difficult to detect if external sounds are also included. Therefore, it is preferable that the acoustic sensor (90) be set to remove the frequency range caused by surrounding noise and collect only the acoustic signal in the frequency band (where the leakage sound is clearly distinguished from the surrounding background noise).

[0073] The fourth leakage analysis module (774) is configured to analyze the acoustic signal collected by the acoustic sensor (90) for the area identified as the leakage point in the pipe buried in the structure through the third leakage analysis module (773) to repeatedly check for leakage at the corresponding leakage point. As described above, the third leakage analysis module (773) comprehensively analyzes the information analyzed through the first leakage analysis module (771), the second leakage analysis module (772), and the pipe leakage confirmation module (762) to identify and provide the leakage point in the buried pipe. Finally, before repair work is performed on the area, the fourth leakage analysis module (774) analyzes the acoustic signal collected by the acoustic sensor (90) for the area identified as the leakage point so that leakage at the corresponding leakage point can be finally repeatedly checked. Preferably, the fourth leakage analysis module (774) can detect whether there is a leakage at a given point by analyzing a power spectrum having a frequency-specific FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) line.

[0074]

[0075] In the above, the applicant has described various embodiments of the present invention, but such embodiments are only examples of implementing the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and any change or modification that implements the technical idea of ​​the present invention should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0076]

[0077] <Explanation of symbols>

[0078] 10: Detection device main body 30: Ultrasonic irradiation unit

[0079] 50: Ultrasonic receiver 70: Signal analysis unit

[0080] 710: First reflection wave analysis module 711: First reflection wave time analysis module

[0081] 712: First Reflection Park Analysis Module

[0082] 720: Second Reflection Wave Analysis Module 721: Second Reflection Wave Time Analysis Module

[0083] 722: Second Reflection Park Analysis Module

[0084] 730: Leakage Range Analysis Module 731: Baseline Setting Module

[0085] 732: Leak detection module 740: Leak point analysis module

[0086] 750: Third Reflection Wave Analysis Module 751: Third Reflection Wave Time Analysis Module

[0087] 752: Third Reflection Park Analysis Module

[0088] 760: Landfill Pipe Analysis Module 761: Pipe Information Analysis Module

[0089] 762: Pipe Leak Detection Module

[0090] 770: Leakage Analysis Module 771: First Leakage Analysis Module

[0091] 772: Second Leakage Analysis Module 773: Third Leakage Analysis Module

[0092] 774: 4th Leakage Analysis Module

[0093] 90: Acoustic sensor

Claims

1. In a system for detecting leakage in a pipe buried in a structure, A detection device main body that detects leaks while moving along the surface of a buried structure; An ultrasonic irradiation unit coupled to the main body of the above detection device and irradiating ultrasonic waves having a predetermined frequency; An ultrasonic receiver that detects reflected waves that return through a structure in which a pipe is embedded after being irradiated by the ultrasonic irradiation unit; and An ultrasonic pipe leak detection system characterized by including a signal analysis unit that analyzes the signal of the received reflected wave to analyze the range of leaks in a structure or the leak area in a buried pipe.

2. In paragraph 1, The above signal analysis unit is characterized in that it includes a first reflection wave analysis module that analyzes a signal of a first reflection wave reflected and received from the surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried, a second reflection wave analysis module that analyzes a signal of a second reflection wave reflected and received from the bottom surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried, and a leak range analysis module that analyzes a leak range within a structure based on information analyzed by the first reflection wave analysis module and the second reflection wave analysis module.

3. In paragraph 2, The above first reflected wave analysis module includes a first reflected wave time analysis module that analyzes signal reception time information of the first reflected wave reflected and received from the surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried, and a first reflected wave period analysis module that analyzes signal size information of the first reflected wave reflected and received from the surface of a structure in which a pipe is buried. The second reflected wave analysis module is characterized by including a second reflected wave time analysis module that analyzes signal reception time information of the second reflected wave reflected and received from the bottom of the structure in which the pipe is buried, and a second reflected wave period analysis module that analyzes signal size information of the second reflected wave reflected and received from the bottom of the structure in which the pipe is buried. A pipe leak detection system utilizing ultrasonic waves.

4. In paragraph 3, The above leak range analysis module is characterized in that it includes a reference value setting module that analyzes the average information of the delay time between the first and second reflected waves and the average information of the size reduction range between the first and second reflected waves based on information analyzed multiple times by the first reflection wave analysis module and the second reflection wave analysis module in a normal detection target structure area where there is no leak, and a leak confirmation module that analyzes the presence or absence of a leak and the information of the depth of the leak in the area based on the delay time between the first and second reflected waves analyzed by the first reflection wave time analysis module and the second reflection wave time analysis module in the area of ​​the detection target structure and the information in the reference value setting module.

5. In paragraph 4, The above signal analysis unit further includes a leak point analysis module that analyzes information on a point where water leaks downward from the bottom of a structure based on the signal size decrease between the first and second reflected waves analyzed by the first and second reflected wave analysis modules at the detection target structure area and information from the reference value setting module. A pipe leak detection system utilizing ultrasonic waves, characterized in that the above signal analysis module further includes a leak point analysis module that analyzes information on a point where water leaks downward from the bottom of a structure based on the signal size decrease between the first and second reflected waves analyzed by the first and second reflected wave analysis modules at the detection target structure area and information from the reference value setting module.

6. In paragraph 5, The above signal analysis unit further includes a third reflection wave analysis module that analyzes a signal of a third reflection wave reflected and received from a pipe buried in a structure, and a buried pipe analysis module that analyzes the location of the pipe buried in the structure and the leak area in the buried pipe based on the information analyzed by the third reflection wave analysis module. A pipe leak detection system utilizing ultrasound.

7. In paragraph 6, The third reflected wave analysis module includes a third reflected wave time analysis module that analyzes signal reception time information of a third reflected wave reflected and received from a pipe buried in a structure, and a third reflected wave period analysis module that analyzes signal size information of a third reflected wave reflected and received from a pipe buried in a structure. The above buried pipe analysis module is characterized in that it includes a pipe information analysis module that analyzes information on the location or shape of a buried pipe within a structure based on information analyzed by the third reflection wave analysis module, and a pipe leak confirmation module that analyzes information on a leak area in a buried pipe based on information on the signal size decrease between the third reflection wave reflected from the surface of the buried pipe analyzed by the third reflection wave analysis module and the third reflection wave reflected after passing through the buried pipe. The pipe leak detection system utilizing ultrasonic waves is characterized in that it includes.

8. In paragraph 7, The above signal analysis unit additionally includes a leak point analysis module that provides information on a leak point in a pipe buried in a target structure based on the information provided for analysis. The above-mentioned leak point analysis module is characterized in that it includes a first leak analysis module that analyzes and provides information on buried pipes likely to leak or expected leak areas in the buried pipes based on information on the depth of leaks in each area of ​​the target structure analyzed through the leak confirmation module and the location of buried pipes confirmed through the pipe information analysis module, a second leak analysis module that analyzes and provides information on buried pipes likely to leak or expected leak areas in the buried pipes based on information on points where water leaks downward from the bottom of the structure analyzed through the leak point analysis module, and a third leak analysis module that comprehensively analyzes information analyzed through the first leak analysis module, the second leak analysis module, and the pipe leak confirmation module to specify and provide leak points in the buried pipes.

9. In paragraph 8, the system, Additionally, it includes an acoustic sensor that collects acoustic signals, The above leak point analysis module is characterized in that it further includes a fourth leak analysis module that analyzes an acoustic signal collected through the acoustic sensor at a location identified as a leak point in a pipe buried in a structure through the third leak analysis module and repeatedly checks for leakage at the corresponding leak point.

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