Pipe Inspection Robot Using Impact Acoustics and CNN Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe inspection methods in nuclear power plants suffer from human error and safety risks due to irregular background noise and hazardous working conditions, leading to inaccurate sound analysis and potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A pipe evaluation robot equipped with an impact unit, acoustic measurement modules, and resonance sound analysis using convolutional neural networks to determine pipe integrity by generating and analyzing impact sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a worker manually inspects pipes using impact sound analysis, then the inspection can be performed with simple equipment, but the accuracy of sound analysis deteriorates due to human error and background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection method with an automated robotic system. The robot uses sensors to detect impact sounds and a processing unit to analyze the acoustic signals, substituting human sensory and cognitive functions with electronic detection and digital signal processing. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining equipment simplicity while dramatically improving measurement precision through automated acoustic analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic sensors and signal processing algorithms as intermediaries between the impact source and the evaluation system. These intermediaries filter out background noise and extract relevant acoustic features, enabling precise pipe condition assessment without direct human involvement in the sound analysis process.
2Ease of operation
If a worker enters the pipe for inspection, then direct visual and acoustic examination can be performed, but safety risks worsen due to hazardous working conditions including harmful gases and mud sediments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a robot as an intermediary agent to perform inspections in hazardous environments. The robot enters the pipe and collects data using sensors, acting as a mediator between the inspection objectives and the hazardous environment. This eliminates direct human exposure to harmful gases and mud sediments while maintaining the ability to perform direct visual and acoustic examinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human workers with an automated robotic system for inspections in confined spaces. The robot performs all inspection functions including visual examination, acoustic testing, and data collection, substituting human physical presence with mechanical automation. This resolves the safety risks while preserving direct inspection capabilities.
3Productivity
If impact sound analysis is performed in normal operation conditions, then inspection can be conducted during plant operation, but measurement precision deteriorates due to irregular background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs signal processing algorithms and acoustic sensors as intermediaries to separate pipe-related sounds from background noise. The system uses frequency analysis and pattern recognition to identify characteristic acoustic signatures of pipe conditions, filtering out irrelevant background sounds and maintaining measurement precision during plant operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback-based acoustic analysis system that continuously monitors sound patterns and adapts to operating conditions. The processing unit analyzes acoustic signals in real-time, comparing detected sounds against known patterns to identify pipe anomalies despite varying background noise levels, enabling accurate inspection during normal plant operation.
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 human error and safety accidents by providing accurate pipe evaluation through robotic inspection, compensating for noise interference and environmental hazards.
Implementation Method 1
an impact unit that is provided in the body to impact the pipe; a plurality of acoustic measurement modules that are provided in the body to measure an impact sound generated when the impact unit impacts the pipe
Implementation Method 2
a resonance sound analysis module that converts impact sound information provided from the acoustic measurement modules into analysis data and applies the converted analysis data to a convolutional neural network (CNN) to determine the integrity of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a pipe evaluation robot and a pipe evaluation method, in which a robot may be injected into a pipe to generate a reverberation sound and to determine soundness of the pipe on the basis of the reverberation sound, wherein the pipe evaluation robot comprises: a body injected into a pipe; a transfer module which transfers the body inside the pipe; a striking unit provided in the body to strike the pipe; a plurality of acoustic measurement modules provided in the body to measure a striking sound generated when the striking unit strikes the pipe; and a reverberation sound analysis module which converts striking sound information provided through the acoustic measurement modules into analysis data and applies the converted analysis data to a convolutional neural network (CNN) to determine soundness of the pipe.