Conveyance Pipe Leak And Obstruction Location Using Reflected Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating obstructions and leaks in conveyance pipes are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly, especially in offshore operations where visual inspections are challenging and can lead to non-compliance issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of electromagnetic or acoustic signals, emitted by a system comprising a single or multiple sources and receivers, to quickly determine the location of obstructions or leaks within conveyance pipes, both onshore and offshore, regardless of the pipe material or submerged status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods are used to locate obstructions and leaks, then comprehensive inspection coverage is achieved, but the time and labor required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with electromagnetic or acoustic signal-based detection systems. Sensors emit signals that travel through or along the conveyance pipe, and obstructions or leaks are detected by analyzing signal reflections, attenuation, or anomalies, eliminating the need for physical manual inspection while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic or acoustic signals as intermediaries to detect obstructions and leaks. These signals act as mediators between the inspection system and the conveyance pipe, allowing remote detection of internal conditions without direct physical contact or disassembly of the pipe system.
2Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods are used to locate obstructions and leaks, then detailed detection capability is achieved, but labor costs and operational disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces labor-intensive manual inspection with automated sensor-based detection systems that can operate continuously without shutting down conveyance operations. The electromagnetic or acoustic sensors detect obstructions and leaks in real-time, maintaining high detection precision while eliminating labor costs and operational disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance pipe system performs self-diagnosis by using embedded or external sensors that automatically detect and locate obstructions and leaks without external human intervention. The system monitors its own condition continuously, enabling automatic alerting and localization of problems while operations continue uninterrupted.
3Measurement precision
If visual inspection methods are used for offshore conveyance lines, then leak detection is attempted, but the complexity and work required increase due to submerged or floating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electromagnetic or acoustic signals as intermediaries that can penetrate water and detect leaks in submerged conveyance lines. These signals travel through the pipe wall and surrounding medium, allowing detection of leaks, obstructions, or joint failures without requiring physical access to the submerged pipe, thereby simplifying offshore inspection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual visual inspection operations in offshore environments with automated sensor systems that can detect anomalies through the pipe wall from external positions. This substitution eliminates the need for divers, ROVs, or physical access to submerged sections, dramatically reducing inspection complexity while maintaining detection capability.
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 significantly reduces the time and labor required to locate obstructions or leaks, from days or weeks to minutes or hours, thereby minimizing costs and ensuring prompt compliance with operational standards.
Implementation Method 1
an emitter operable to send a signal within the conveyance pipe
Implementation Method 2
The methods and systems use any single wavelength or combination of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum to determine the location of an obstruction or leak
Implementation Method 3
Once the signals interact with the obstruction or a leak, a reflected signal will be sent back to the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for locating an obstruction or leak in a conveyance. The systems include an emitter operable to emit a signal or signals through the conveyance. The systems further include a receiver operable to receive a reflected signal or signals from the obstruction or leak. The systems further include a processor programmed to analyze the received reflected signal and determine the location of the obstruction or leak in the conveyance. The methods include emitting a signal or signals from an emitter through the conveyance, receiving a reflected signal or signals reflected from the obstruction or leak with a receiver, and analyzing the received reflected signal or signals using a processor to determine the location of the obstruction or leak in the conveyance.