Pipe Tampering Detection Using Structure-Borne Sound Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pipeline construction requires effective monitoring and protection to prevent damage during transport and assembly, as incorrect assembly can lead to environmental harm and financial losses, necessitating a safety device that generates an alarm signal to detect tampering and ensure pipe integrity.
Innovation Solution
A safety device equipped with a structure-borne sound detection system using a piezoelectric element and oscillating body adapted to the pipe's curvature, which detects tampering noises and emits an alarm signal, combined with a system for receiving and processing signals to trigger alerts, including temperature and displacement sensors for comprehensive monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety device with multiple sensors is used to monitor pipes, then the reliability of pipe monitoring is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (structure-borne noise sensor, temperature sensor, displacement sensor) and their evaluation units into a single integrated safety device that can be attached to a single pipe. This merging approach improves reliability by providing comprehensive monitoring while managing device complexity through unified design and centralized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device is designed as a multi-functional system that can monitor multiple parameters (structural integrity, temperature, displacement) simultaneously. The device can be attached to various pipe configurations and provides comprehensive protection against different types of damage, making it universally applicable to different pipe monitoring scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If the structure-borne noise detection device is adapted to the curvature of the pipe inside, then the measurement precision of structure-borne noise is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating body is designed to be movable relative to the pipe inner wall, allowing it to adapt dynamically to the pipe's curvature. The body can oscillate and position itself optimally against the curved surface, improving measurement precision without requiring a complex rigid structure tailored to each specific curvature.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating body's frequency and amplitude are designed to change based on the pipe's curvature and the detected noise characteristics. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves high measurement precision across different pipe geometries while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
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 solution provides reliable detection of tampering and environmental changes, ensuring pipe integrity and reducing damage risks through timely alerts and comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The structure-borne noise detection device is provided with a piezoelectric element, which serves to record the structure-borne noise and convert it into electrical pulses
Implementation Method 2
an embodiment is preferred in which the piezoelectric element or another structure-borne noise sensor is arranged on an oscillating body, which, in particular in terms of its characteristic frequency, is adapted to the frequency range of the structure-borne noise to be detected
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a security device for a cover device of a pipe and/or for a pipe, that can be used for producing pipelines having a series of further pipes welded to each other, wherein the cover device comprises a sleeve covering an inner wall of the pipe, and the security device is designed for generating an alarm signal, wherein the security device comprises a structure-borne sound detection device comprising a structure-borne sound sensor for detecting manipulation of the pipe. The invention further relates to a system for monitoring pipes having a plurality of security devices having a receiving station for receiving the security device signals, preferably repeatable by means of a repeater, and an electronic data processor designed for analyzing the signals and for out-putting an alarm signal.