Shallow-Buried Nested Pipeline for Leak Detection and Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipelines are prone to leakage due to underground corrosion, leading to resource wastage and environmental pollution, with current solutions failing to timely detect and address leaks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A shallow-buried leakage-proof pipeline system incorporating a programmable logic controller (PLC), water-pressure sensors, an electromagnetic valve, and a movable water leakage detection device with a micro humidity sensor and micro-motor, which detects pressure differences and water leaks, allowing for timely intervention and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pipelines are buried underground, then transportation function is achieved, but corrosion and leakage occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure with an inner pipe containing the fluid transport function and an outer pipe providing corrosion protection. The inner pipe is coaxially arranged within the outer pipe, creating a protective envelope that isolates the transport medium from corrosive underground environment while maintaining transportation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The outer pipe acts as an intermediary barrier between the inner pipe and the corrosive underground environment. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact between the transported fluid and harmful external factors, thereby reducing corrosion and leakage while preserving the transportation function
2Ease of manufacture
If pipelines are laid shallowly, then installation cost is reduced, but detection and repair difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor the inner pipe and provide real-time feedback on pressure variations. When leakage occurs, the pressure change is detected and transmitted to the control system, enabling automatic identification of leakage locations and timely intervention, thus solving the detection difficulty while maintaining shallow burial advantages
3Reliability
If pipelines are buried deeply, then protection from external damage is improved, but leakage detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection and mechanical detection methods with electronic pressure sensing and automated control systems. The pressure sensors and PLC enable real-time monitoring and automatic leakage location identification, eliminating the time delay associated with deep burial inspection while maintaining protection benefits
4Measurement precision
If complex monitoring systems are added to pipelines, then leakage detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-diagnosing system where the pressure sensors automatically detect pressure variations, the PLC automatically processes the data, and the system automatically identifies leakage locations without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability achieves high detection accuracy while minimizing operational complexity through automation
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 system prevents leakage losses, facilitates accurate leak identification, and extends pipeline service life by enabling timely repair and resource conservation.
Implementation Method 1
when there is a leakage point in the inner pipe, leaked water flows down along an outer wall of the inner pipe into the outer pipe... receiving, by the PLC, a signal that a pressure difference of the first water-pressure sensor is inconsistent with a pressure difference of the second water-pressure sensor
Implementation Method 2
When the micro humidity sensor detects that there is water leakage in the conduit, transmitting a signal of a leakage point, by the micro humidity sensor, to the PLC
Implementation Method 3
sending a first command signal, by the PLC, to the electromagnetic valve to block the water inlet of the inner pipe
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a shallow-buried leakage-proof pipeline and a method for operating the same. The leakage-proof pipeline includes a programmable logic controller (PLC), an outer pipe, an inner pipe, a first water-pressure sensor, a second water-pressure sensor, an electromagnetic valve, and a movable water leakage detection device. The PLC is arranged on the ground. The outer pipe and the inner pipe are both shallowly buried along a horizontal direction, and the inner pipe is coaxially arranged in the outer pipe. The first water-pressure sensor and the electromagnetic valve are both arranged at a water inlet of the inner pipe, and the second water-pressure sensor is arranged at a water outlet of the inner pipe. The movable water leakage detection device is arranged at a bottom of the outer pipe.