Leak Detection via Pressure Slope Curvature Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure system leak detection methods are time-consuming and costly, as they require waiting for steady-state pressure to differentiate between thermal influences and leaks, exposing equipment to high pressures and increasing the risk of damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize pressure sensors and processors to analyze pressure data by determining the slope and curvature, calculating a ratio, and monitoring it over time to identify non-constant components exceeding a threshold, indicating potential leaks, thereby reducing testing time and equipment exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pressure testing methods are used to ensure pressure integrity, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary leak detection analysis by calculating the ratio of curvature to slope from pressure data during the pressure change phase, before steady-state is reached. This allows early identification of leaks without waiting for the traditional lengthy steady-state period, thus reducing testing time while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical waiting period for steady-state pressure with an automated computational analysis system that continuously monitors pressure data, calculates derivatives (slope and curvature), and evaluates the curvature-to-slope ratio to detect leaks in real-time during the pressure change phase
2Measurement precision
If pressure testing is extended to ensure steady-state is reached, then measurement precision improves, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system substitutes the time-consuming mechanical waiting process with automated real-time computational analysis of pressure data, calculating the curvature-to-slope ratio continuously during the pressure change phase to enable rapid leak detection without sacrificing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring and analysis of pressure data throughout the pressure change phase, continuously calculating slope, curvature, and their ratio to detect leaks at any point during the process, eliminating the idle waiting time for steady-state while maintaining continuous detection capability
3Productivity
If testing time is reduced by not waiting for steady-state, then productivity improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional reliance on steady-state pressure with an automated computational method that analyzes the dynamic relationship between pressure slope and curvature, using the curvature-to-slope ratio as a reliable indicator of leaks during the pressure change phase, achieving both speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the curvature-to-slope ratio in real-time during pressure changes, comparing it against threshold values to dynamically determine whether a leak is present, allowing for rapid and reliable leak detection without waiting for steady-state conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for identifying a leak in a pressure system. The method includes receiving, from a pressure sensor, pressure data of a fluid contained in the pressure system, determining a slope and curvature of the pressure data, determining a ratio of the curvature to the slope of the pressure data, and monitoring the ratio over a period of time. The method also includes, as a result of a non-constant component of the ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold, generating an indication that a leak may be present in the pressure system, or as a result of the ratio including no non-constant component or a non-constant component below the predetermined threshold, generating an indication that no leak is present in the pressure system.