Multi-Modal Acoustic Pipeline Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipeline assessment technologies face challenges in accurately detecting and locating anomalous events such as leaks, tuberculated sections, and structural degradation due to ambient noise interference and uncertainties in predicting acoustic signal propagation, which affects the reliability of failure mode identification and location within pipeline networks.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multi-modal acoustic assessment system that combines passive and active acoustic signals, employing two or more acoustic transducers to generate and receive structured acoustic signals, and analyze both transmitted and reflected signals to enhance detection, identification, and location of anomalous events through two-port analysis and signal processing techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If acoustic signals are used to detect anomalous events in pipeline networks, then detection capability is improved, but ambient noise interference reduces measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines passive acoustic signals (from the anomaly itself) with active acoustic signals (generated by transducers) to create a multi-modal assessment system. This merging of signal sources enhances detection capability while the structured active signals provide reference points that help distinguish true anomalies from ambient noise, thereby maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces structured acoustic signals generated by transducers as an intermediary element. These signals serve as a controlled reference that mediates between the passive anomaly detection and the ambient noise environment, enabling better signal-to-noise differentiation through two-port analysis techniques
2Measurement precision
If acoustic signal propagation characteristics are used for location estimation, then location accuracy is improved, but uncertainties in predicting propagation reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of acoustic signal propagation through two-port analysis before using it for location estimation. By预先 establishing the propagation characteristics through controlled active signals, the system reduces uncertainties when subsequently using these characteristics for anomaly location, thereby improving both location accuracy and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the active acoustic signals to continuously refine the understanding of propagation characteristics. The received active signals provide feedback information about the actual propagation conditions, which is then used to improve location estimation accuracy and maintain reliability even when environmental conditions change
3Device complexity
If single-mode acoustic assessment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to ambient noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges passive and active acoustic assessment modes into a unified multi-modal system. This combination leverages the simplicity of passive monitoring while adding the structured signals from active assessment, achieving improved detection accuracy without requiring completely separate systems, thus managing device complexity effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic transducers serve multiple functions: they can operate in receive-only mode for passive assessment, in transmit mode for active assessment, and their signals can be used for both anomaly detection and propagation characterization. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve enhanced detection accuracy using a single versatile device rather than multiple specialized devices
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 reduces ambient noise effects and improves the accuracy of detecting and locating anomalous events by aggregating passive and active acoustic measurements, providing a more reliable assessment of pipeline conditions and reducing false positives and negatives.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention utilizes acoustic signals in order to assess a pipeline for anomalous events. As part of this assessment, acoustic signal propagation needs to be characterized within the conduit.
Implementation Method 2
employing two or more acoustic transducers to generate and receive structured acoustic signals, and analyze both transmitted and reflected signals
Data Source
AI summary
Pipeline networks are ubiquitous for transporting fluids. Failure modes may result in a wide spectrum of negative effects ranging from energy loss to revenue loss to catastrophic failure with loss of life. The present invention introduces innovative technology to detect, identify and locate events representing failure modes and/or precursors to failure modes within a pipeline network. The present invention addresses the issues with the prior art based on the following innovations—exploiting the signal processing enabled by detecting a passive acoustic signal in conjunction with both an active reflected acoustic signal and an active transmitted acoustic signal within a pipeline segment. These measurements can be aggregated to reduce the effects of ambient noise and improve the invention's ability to detect, identify and locate anomalous events representing failure modes and/or precursors to failure modes within a pipeline network.