Acoustic Sediment Detection in Hollow Cylindrical Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and locating sediment buildup in hollow cylindrical bodies, such as pipes, are inaccurate, leading to inefficient cleaning processes and potential damage from overuse of cleaning tools.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing acoustic sensors to receive sound waves generated by an object traveling through the pipe, comparing these measurements with prestored data to identify and locate sediment, and providing this information to a user device for targeted cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current methods for detecting sediment buildup are used, then cleaning processes can be performed, but measurement precision is inaccurate leading to inefficient cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical inspection methods with acoustic field-based detection. Acoustic sensors detect sound waves generated by an object's interaction with sediment, allowing non-contact, high-precision identification of sediment type and location without mechanical contact that would damage the pipe interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to detect sediment characteristics. The sound waves interact with sediment particles, and the resulting acoustic signals carry information about sediment type, concentration, and location, enabling accurate detection without direct mechanical inspection.
2Reliability
If cleaning tools are used without accurate sediment location, then cleaning can be attempted, but wear on pipes increases due to overuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where acoustic sensors continuously monitor the pipe interior for sediment buildup. The system provides real-time information about sediment location and type, allowing cleaning operations to be triggered only when and where needed, preventing unnecessary cleaning cycles that would wear the pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of sediment buildup using acoustic methods before initiating cleaning operations. This allows the system to identify sediment presence and characteristics in advance, enabling targeted cleaning only when sediment reaches problematic levels, thereby avoiding premature or unnecessary cleaning that would cause pipe wear.
3Measurement precision
If acoustic sensors are used to identify sediment, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs acoustic sensors that serve multiple functions: detecting sediment presence, identifying sediment type, determining sediment location, and monitoring sediment concentration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving high measurement precision.
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 allows for precise identification and location of sediment, optimizing cleaning processes and reducing wear on pipes by ensuring accurate targeting of sediment deposits.
Implementation Method 1
one or more acoustic sensor coupled to the hollow cylindrical body configured to receive sound waves generated by an object travelling through the hollow cylindrical body
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and a method for identifying sediment in an interior cavity of a hollow cylindrical body. The system may include one or more acoustic sensor coupled to the hollow cylindrical body configured to receive sound waves generated by an object travelling through the hollow cylindrical body and generate acoustic measurements; and one or more processor configured to: receive the acoustic measurements from the one or more acoustic sensor; compare the acoustic measurements with one or more prestored acoustic measurement associated with a type of sediment in the hollow cylindrical body; identify the sediment based on the comparison, and send the identification to a user device.