Pipe Stress Estimation via Pressure Vibration Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for diagnosing pipe deterioration in water supply networks cannot accurately estimate pressure changes or the progression of fatigue in pipes, leading to inadequate replacement timing and prioritization, as they fail to evaluate dynamic pressure changes and stress accumulation over time.
Innovation Solution
A pipe diagnosis apparatus and method that simulate pressure vibrations in pipes based on configuration information, calculate stress using these simulations, and estimate failure risks to determine appropriate replacement priorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simulation of pressure vibration is performed to evaluate pressure change, then accuracy of deterioration estimation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical measurement systems with computational simulation. Instead of using sophisticated sensors and measurement equipment to directly measure pressure vibrations, the system uses computer-based simulation to calculate and evaluate pressure changes in the pipe network, thereby achieving high measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model (simulation) of the pipe network that replicates the physical system's behavior. By copying the essential characteristics of the pipe network into a computational model, the system can evaluate pressure vibrations and stress accumulation without needing complex physical measurement infrastructure
2Reliability
If stress calculation based on pressure vibration simulation is performed, then reliability of pipe failure prediction is improved, but loss of time for analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs stress calculations and failure predictions in advance by simulating pressure vibrations and accumulating stress data over time. By conducting these analyses beforehand, the system prepares reliability assessments that can be quickly referenced when making replacement decisions, reducing the time needed at the point of decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously simulates pressure vibrations and accumulates stress data over time, maintaining an ongoing analysis rather than performing discrete, time-consuming calculations. This continuous approach builds up reliability information progressively, balancing thorough analysis with efficient decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe diagnosis apparatus 10 includes a simulation execution unit 11 that simulates vibrations of pressure in a pipe included in piping equipment to be diagnosed, based on pipe information for specifying a configuration of the piping equipment, and a stress analysis unit 12 that calculates stress that occurs in a pipe included in the piping equipment, based on pressure vibrations acquired through simulation.