Leak Detection via Acoustic Hyperbolas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current water-leakage detection methods using acoustic sensors require a leakage spot to be between sensors for accurate localization, making it difficult to detect leaks outside the sensor range and requiring skilled investigators for labor-intensive searches, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method using a pair of acoustic sensors arranged at a certain distance from the pipe to calculate time differences in sound arrival, determining hyperbolas with the sensors as foci to identify the leakage position, allowing for localization of leaks outside the sensor range and improving detection accuracy through weighted averaging of multiple sensor pairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic sensors are placed on the pipe to detect leakage sounds, then leakage detection accuracy is improved, but the sensors can only detect leaks between them, limiting the detection range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional sensor placement (on the pipe surface) to three-dimensional sensor arrangement (at a certain distance from the pipe). By positioning sensors in space rather than directly on the pipe, the system creates a detection volume that can capture leakage sounds from multiple directions and locations, significantly expanding the effective detection range while maintaining accuracy through spatial triangulation.
2Measurement precision
If skilled investigators are used to detect leakage sounds by hearing, then detection capability is improved, but labor intensity increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/biological system of human investigators using their sense of hearing with an automated electronic system comprising acoustic sensors, signal processing units, and analysis algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for skilled human investigators while maintaining or improving detection capability, thereby significantly increasing operational efficiency and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service detection by automatically acquiring acoustic data, processing signals to identify leakage characteristics, and determining leakage positions without human intervention. The automated analysis and positioning functions allow the system to perform detection tasks independently, improving efficiency while reducing labor requirements.
3Area of stationary object
If acoustic sensors are placed at intervals along the pipeline, then detection coverage is improved, but construction costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection method that can be applied regardless of sensor quantity or specific arrangement. The hyperbolic positioning algorithm works effectively with different numbers of sensors and various spatial configurations, making the system adaptable and versatile. This universality reduces the need for complex, customized sensor arrangements for each specific application scenario.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient and accurate detection of water-leakage positions without relying on skilled investigators, reducing construction costs, and improving detection efficiency across wide areas.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of acoustic sensors arranged at a certain distance from each other and a certain distance from a location of the pipe... acoustic data acquisition step of performing time synchronization between acoustic sensors configuring the pair of acoustic sensors to acquire acoustic data by the acoustic sensors
Implementation Method 2
time difference calculation step of determining a difference between arrival times of sounds received by the respective acoustic sensors... distance difference calculation step of calculating, from the difference between arrival times, a difference between distances from a source of the sounds to the respective acoustic sensors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention provides a leakage detection method, a water-leakage detection method, a leakage detection device, and a water-leakage detection device, for a pipe, with ease of placing sensors, high detection accuracy, and high reliability. The leakage detection method includes: an acoustic data acquisition step of performing time synchronization between acoustic sensors configuring the pair of acoustic sensors to acquire acoustic data by the acoustic sensors; a time difference calculation step of determining a difference between arrival times of sounds received by the respective acoustic sensors; a distance difference calculation step of calculating, from the difference between arrival times, a difference between distances from a source of the sounds to the respective acoustic sensors; a hyperbola acquisition step of determining a hyperbola which is a collection of points at each of which a difference in distance from each of the acoustic sensors is constant, with positions of the respective acoustic sensors as foci; and a position identification step of identifying a position of the leakage from an intersection between the pipe and the hyperbola.