Underground Pipe Frequency Identification via Acoustic Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for locating underground pipes, especially non-metallic ones, are inaccurate and inefficient due to interference from soil and pipe characteristics, and rely on metallic structures or tracer wires, which are not always available.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that induce controlled acoustic waves over a predetermined frequency range to measure vibration responses, using a vibration exciter and sensors to identify a dominant frequency for precise pipe location, regardless of material composition, by converting time-domain signals to frequency-domain using Fourier transforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ground excitation methods are used to locate underground pipes, then the method can detect pipe appurtenances, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to interference from soil and pipe characteristics at certain distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the excitation frequency variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the excitation frequency to match the resonant frequency of the pipe, allowing the operator to tune into the optimal frequency for detection. This resolves the contradiction by enabling accurate detection regardless of distance or soil conditions, as the system adapts to find the frequency that produces the strongest vibration response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of excitation frequency to resolve the measurement accuracy problem. By sweeping through a range of frequencies or adjusting the frequency to match the pipe's resonant frequency, the system overcomes interference from soil and pipe characteristics. This parameter change allows the detection system to identify the frequency that produces maximum vibration response, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the ability to detect pipe appurtenances.
2Measurement precision
If electromagnetic locators are used to locate underground pipes, then metallic pipes can be detected effectively, but the method becomes ineffective for non-metallic pipes due to lack of conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic detection system with a mechanical vibration-based system. Instead of using electromagnetic signals that require conductivity, the system uses acoustic waves and vibration exciters to mechanically induce vibrations in the pipe. This substitution allows the detection method to work with both metallic and non-metallic pipes, as mechanical vibrations can propagate through any material, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining detection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mechanical vibration principles by using a vibration exciter to induce resonant vibrations in the pipe. The system detects the natural frequency and vibration response of the pipe, which occurs regardless of material composition. This approach resolves the contradiction by making pipe detection independent of electrical conductivity, enabling versatile application to both metallic and non-metallic underground structures.
3Use of energy by moving object
If acoustic waves are induced at certain distances from the pipe, then the ground interaction can be utilized, but harmful interference patterns are created that reduce measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful interference patterns into beneficial information by detecting the resonant frequency response. Instead of avoiding ground interaction, the system uses it to its advantage by identifying the frequency at which the pipe naturally resonates. The interference patterns and vibration responses, which could be harmful, are transformed into useful data that confirms pipe location and characteristics, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining ground interaction utilization.
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
This approach allows for accurate and efficient location of underground structures by identifying the frequency producing the highest vibration response, reducing interference and improving precision across various soil and pipe conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Controlled acoustic waves are induced in the structure via ground, the acoustic waves varying over a predetermined frequency range
Implementation Method 2
Vibration response associated with the structure in response to the controlled acoustic waves over the predetermined frequency range is measured, using a measurement device in vibrational communication with the structure
Implementation Method 3
converting time-domain signals to frequency-domain using Fourier transforms
Data Source
AI summary
A method for identifying a frequency producing a dominant vibration response of an underground structure includes the steps of inducing controlled acoustic waves in the structure via ground, the acoustic waves varying over a predetermined frequency range, measuring vibration response associated with the structure in response to the controlled acoustic waves over the predetermined frequency range, using a measurement device in vibrational communication with the structure, detecting a dominant vibration response among measurements across all frequencies of the predetermined frequency range, and, identifying a frequency of the predetermined frequency range which produced the dominant vibration response.