Pipe Sensor Attachment Pad for Durable Strain Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe monitoring systems, such as fibre optic cables and strain gauges, are costly and prone to breakage, especially in subterranean environments, making them unsuitable for effective and cost-effective monitoring of pipe health.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising a flexible, resilient attachment pad and a strain gauge with a flexible plastic base layer, protected by an attachment pad that prevents moisture ingress and evenly distributes pressure, coupled with a data acquisition module for efficient data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If present strain gauges are used to monitor pipe strain, then strain measurement capability is provided, but the strain gauges are liable to breakage and difficult to attach to the pipe surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an attachment pad as an intermediary component between the strain gauge and the pipe surface. This pad is made of resilient material that can be easily attached to the pipe and provides a protective interface for the strain gauge, solving both the attachment difficulty and durability issues simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment pad serves as a protective cushioning layer that is installed beforehand to protect the strain gauge from mechanical damage, environmental factors, and installation stresses. This prior protection prevents breakage before it occurs
2Adaptability or versatility
If strain gauges are installed in subterranean environments, then pipe monitoring is enabled, but the gauges are exposed to high pressures, temperature fluctuations, and physical damage from soil and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment pad acts as a protective intermediary that isolates the strain gauge from harmful environmental factors including soil contact, sharp debris, stones, moisture, and physical compression. This mediator allows the sensor to function in subterranean environments without direct exposure to damaging conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment pad is made of a resilient, flexible material that forms a protective shell around the strain gauge. This flexible protective layer can withstand compression and physical stress while maintaining the sensor's ability to detect strain accurately
3Reliability
If fibre optic cables are used to monitor pipe properties, then comprehensive monitoring capability is achieved, but the systems are costly and difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive strain gauges combined with simple attachment pads rather than expensive fibre optic cables. These simpler, cheaper components achieve sufficient monitoring reliability for water pipes while being much easier to install and maintain
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 provides a cost-effective and durable means to monitor pipe health by measuring strain, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration, reducing sensor failure and enabling accurate data collection in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
an attachment pad configured to prevent the ingress of moisture into the vicinity of a sensor attached to a pipe
Implementation Method 2
the attachment pad having a first face, a second face, and wherein the first face comprises an indent configured to house at least one sensor when the at least one sensor is coupled to the pipe
Implementation Method 3
the attachment pad is formed of a resilient material, such that the attachment pad is more resilient than the sensor
Implementation Method 4
A sensor system comprising a flexible, resilient attachment pad and a strain gauge with a flexible plastic base layer
Implementation Method 5
measuring strain, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration
Implementation Method 6
measuring strain, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration
Implementation Method 7
measuring strain, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration
Implementation Method 8
measuring strain, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and Method for the Detection of Properties of a Pipe There is described herein a system for determining one or more properties of a pipe, the system comprising an attachment pad, at least one sensor configured to be coupled to the outside of a pipe wall, wherein the attachment pad is configured to overlie one or more of the at least one sensor such that the one or more sensor may be positioned between the pipe and the attachment pad, and to prevent slippage of the one or more sensor on the pipe. There is also described an attachment pad, a sensor, and a pipe.