L-Band Microwave Underground Water Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting underground water leakages in urban water systems are inefficient, often requiring expensive local excavations and lack effective remote detection solutions, leading to significant losses and damage before leaks are identified.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using radiofrequency radiation, specifically L-band microwave reflections, to remotely detect underground liquid content by filtering electromagnetic noise and creating a water roughness map to identify and calculate the presence of drinking water or sewage water, allowing for accurate mapping of leakages from elevated platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If local excavation is used to detect underground water leakage, then detection accuracy is improved, but cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical excavation process with an electromagnetic detection system using radar technology. The radar system transmits electromagnetic waves through the ground and analyzes reflected signals to detect water leakage, eliminating the need for physical excavation while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium to detect underground water leakage. Instead of directly excavating to find leaks, the system uses radar waves that can penetrate the ground and interact with water, providing indirect but accurate detection of leakage locations.
2Reliability
If local excavation is performed to identify water leakage, then detection reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive mechanical excavation with a cost-effective electromagnetic radar detection system. The radar system provides reliable detection of underground water leakage without the high costs associated with excavation equipment, labor, and restoration work.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electromagnetic reflection pattern that copies or replicates the signature of water leakage. By analyzing these reflection patterns, the system can reliably identify water leaks without physically disturbing the ground, thereby reducing detection costs while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If remote detection is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based detection methods with remote electromagnetic radar detection. The radar system can detect water leakage from a distance by analyzing reflected electromagnetic waves, providing both remote operation capability and accurate detection of underground leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from surface-level or contact-based detection to three-dimensional subsurface detection using electromagnetic wave propagation. The radar system can detect water leakage at various depths and locations within the ground volume, enabling remote detection while maintaining precision through spatial analysis of reflection signals.
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
Enables remote and efficient detection of underground water leakages, reducing costs and damage by providing accurate geographical mapping of water content and leakage locations, thereby addressing the inefficiencies of existing detection methods.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a first scan of an area at a first polarization, the first scan including first radio frequency (e.g., L band microwave) reflections from the area
Implementation Method 2
filtering electromagnetic noise from the first scan using the second scan
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of determining underground liquid content (e.g., water, sewage, etc.). Embodiments may include: receiving, from a radiofrequency radiation sensor, a main scan of an area, the main scan may include reflections from the area at RF range, and receiving typical roughness values of one or more types of water sources. Embodiments may further include: filtering from the main scan undesired water source types according to their typical roughness values, identifying a desired type of water source in the filtered main scan and receiving from the RF radiation sensor a set of scans of the area, each scan of the area includes reflections in the RF range taken prior to the receiving of the main scan. Embodiments may include calculating the underground water content at locations in the area based on the identified first type of water source and the received set of scans.