Adaptive Measurement Time for Pipe Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for detecting leaks in piping, such as those described in PTL 1, face challenges in noisy environments and large installation intervals between vibration sensors, leading to a decreased signal-to-noise ratio and increased measurement time, which can result in false negative detections.
Innovation Solution
A measurement time determination device that calculates the degree-of-ease of detecting leaks based on vibrations propagating through piping or fluid flowing through it, and determines the necessary measurement time to reduce false detections by optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio using a degree-of-ease calculation unit and a determination unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If vibration sensors are installed at large intervals in noisy environments, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to decreased signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary vibration measurements during a calibration phase to establish baseline characteristics of the piping system and noise environment. This preliminary action enables the subsequent leak detection to distinguish between normal operational vibrations and actual leak signals, maintaining detection accuracy despite large sensor intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes measurement parameters dynamically by adjusting the measurement time period based on calculated degree-of-ease values. When the signal-to-noise ratio is low (as occurs with large sensor intervals), the system automatically extends the measurement duration to accumulate sufficient signal energy, thereby maintaining measurement precision without requiring denser sensor installation.
2Measurement precision
If measurement time is extended to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement precision improves, but productivity deteriorates due to longer detection time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the measurement time period based on real-time calculation of the degree-of-ease parameter, which reflects the current signal-to-noise conditions. Instead of using a fixed measurement duration, the system optimizes the measurement time adaptively - extending it only when necessary to achieve sufficient detection confidence, thereby balancing precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the degree-of-ease parameter during measurement and using this information to determine whether the current measurement duration is sufficient. This feedback mechanism allows the system to terminate measurements early when adequate signal quality is achieved, avoiding unnecessary time extension and maintaining high productivity while ensuring measurement precision.
3Productivity
If measurement time is shortened to improve productivity, then detection speed improves, but measurement precision deteriorates leading to false negative detections
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the traditional mechanical approach of fixed-duration measurement with an intelligent determination system that calculates the optimal measurement time based on the degree-of-ease parameter. This substitution of mechanical fixed timing with intelligent adaptive timing enables the system to achieve both high productivity and measurement precision by determining the minimum necessary measurement duration for reliable leak detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the degree-of-ease parameter before executing the actual leak detection measurement. This preliminary action provides advance information about the expected signal quality, enabling the system to set an optimal measurement time that is sufficient for detection but not excessively long, thereby avoiding false negatives while maintaining high detection speed.
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
The solution effectively reduces false detections by determining the optimal measurement time for leak detection, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and enhancing the accuracy of leak detection in noisy environments and large installation intervals.
Implementation Method 1
vibration propagating through the piping or a fluid flowing through the piping when the piping is vibrated
Data Source
AI summary
To reduce erroneous determinations of detecting a leak, a measurement time determination device is provided with: a degree-of-ease calculation unit configured to calculate degree-of-ease of detecting a leak in piping, based on vibration propagating through the piping or a fluid flowing through the piping when the piping is vibrated; and a determination unit configured to determine a measurement time necessary for detecting the leak, based on the degree-of-ease.