Pipe Sensor Attachment Pad for Strain Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring the health of subterranean water pipes are costly, prone to sensor breakage, and ineffective in environments with high pressures and temperature fluctuations, leading to frequent pipe failures and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising flexible, resilient sensors with built-in attachment pads that protect against moisture and physical damage, allowing for easy installation and accurate measurement of strain, temperature, humidity, and acceleration to assess pipe health, along with a data acquisition module for real-time data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If present strain gauges are used to monitor pipe strain, then strain measurement capability is provided, but the sensors are liable to breakage and difficult to attach to the pipe surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by embedding the strain gauge within a protective matrix material (such as silicone or polyurethane) that cushions and protects the fragile sensor elements from mechanical damage, pressure, and environmental factors before the sensor is installed on the pipe. This protective matrix acts as a shock-absorbing medium that prevents direct contact between the strain gauge and harsh subterranean conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a protective matrix material as an intermediate layer between the strain gauge and the pipe surface. This matrix serves as a mediator that both protects the sensor from damage and enables its attachment to the pipe, while still allowing the strain gauge to accurately measure pipe deformation through the matrix material.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fibre optic cables are used to monitor pipe properties, then comprehensive monitoring capability is achieved, but the system is costly and difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of using inexpensive, disposable strain gauges embedded in protective matrices rather than expensive, complex fibre optic cable systems. These affordable sensors can be easily attached to pipes and replaced if needed, providing cost-effective monitoring without the complexity and high cost of fibre optic infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential monitoring function from the complex fibre optic cable system and implements it through simple, standalone strain gauges. By removing the unnecessary complexity of fibre optic networking and focusing only on the core strain measurement capability, the system becomes much easier to implement while maintaining adequate monitoring functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If pipes are not live-monitored, then simple maintenance approach is maintained, but pipe breakages occur before replacement causing road shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using strain gauges to continuously monitor pipe strain and transmit this data to a central system. This feedback mechanism allows maintenance personnel to detect pipe deterioration in real-time and schedule replacements before failures occur, preventing road shutdowns while maintaining a relatively simple maintenance approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling early detection of pipe health issues through continuous strain monitoring. This allows maintenance personnel to take preliminary replacement actions before actual pipe breakages occur, preventing catastrophic failures and the need for emergency road shutdowns.
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
Enables cost-effective, reliable monitoring of pipe health, reducing the frequency of sensor failures and enabling early detection of potential pipe failures, minimizing maintenance disruptions and water loss.
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 may provide mechanical protection to the sensor from soil, sharp debris, stones
Implementation Method 3
A new sensor that may be in the form of a strain gauge is desired
Implementation Method 4
accurate measurement of strain, temperature, humidity, and acceleration
Implementation Method 5
accurate measurement of strain, temperature, humidity, and acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for determining one or more properties of a pipe. The system includes an attachment pad and at least one sensor configured to be coupled to the outside of a pipe wall. 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 also configured to prevent slippage of the one or more sensor on the pipe.