Leakage Position Calculation Using Vibration Time Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detecting leakage in long water and gas pipelines is costly due to the need for numerous synchronized vibration sensors, which are expensive to synchronize and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A leakage position calculation device that uses two vibration detection means attached to a pipe, calculating time differences between detected vibration components and using these differences along with the space interval between sensors to determine the leakage position without requiring synchronization of the sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a plurality of vibration sensors are attached to the pipe at a distance from each other to detect leakage position, then the leakage detection capability is improved, but the production cost and synchronization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vibration signal processing into two independent parts: (1) local time difference calculation within each sensor's own signal to identify vibration components, and (2) correlation-based time difference calculation between the two sensors. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex external synchronization while maintaining leakage detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses correlation analysis to compare the vibration signal pattern from the first sensor with the pattern from the second sensor. By copying and comparing the temporal pattern of vibration components rather than requiring synchronized timestamps, the system achieves accurate leakage position detection without complex synchronization hardware.
2Reliability
If an enormous number of vibration detectors are attached to long pipelines, then the leakage detection coverage is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only two vibration sensors instead of numerous sensors along the pipeline. The correlation-based time difference calculation method provides sufficient leakage detection capability with minimal sensors, reducing the quantity of vibration detectors needed while maintaining reliable detection coverage.
3Measurement precision
If vibration sensors are synchronized with one another to detect leakage position, then the measurement precision is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the system self-sufficient by eliminating the need for external synchronization hardware. Each sensor independently processes its own signal to identify vibration components, and the correlation analysis automatically determines the time difference between sensors. This self-service approach reduces production costs while maintaining 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
Reduces production costs by allowing accurate leakage detection using fewer and less expensive vibration sensors, as the device calculates the leakage position using time differences and space intervals without needing synchronized detection signals.
Implementation Method 1
a first vibration detection means and second vibration detection means which are attached to a pipe
Implementation Method 2
timing of detection of vibration that indicates a first vibration component in the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A first time difference calculation unit calculates a time difference Δt1 between the timing of detection of vibration that indicates the first vibration mode of a pipe P and the timing of detection of vibration that indicates a second vibration mode of the pipe P by processing a result of a measurement . A second time difference calculation unit calculates a time difference Δt2 between the timing of detection of vibration that indicates the first vibration mode of the pipe P and the timing of detection of vibration that indicates the second vibration mode of the pipe P by processing a result of another measurement. A leakage position calculation unit uses the time differences Δt1, Δt2, and a space interval I between the first vibration detection unit and the first time difference calculation unit to calculate a leakage position in the pipe P.