Pipeline Sensor Positioning Using Dual Magnetometer Time Delay
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the absolute velocity and position of sensor devices within fluid conduits, such as pipelines, are inadequate, especially for free-floating devices and those operating in underground or metallic environments, as they rely on GPS, odometer wheels, or inertial measurement units, which are not accurate or practical in these conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a sensor device equipped with multiple magnetometers to determine absolute velocity by measuring the time delay between magnetic signal appearances at fixed positions, allowing for accurate positioning and distance calculation without GPS or wheels, suitable for both free-floating and tethered devices in various conduit environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS and inertial navigation unit are used to determine position of the sensor device, then position accuracy is improved for above-ground conduits, but the method becomes unsuitable for underground or metallic conduit environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS and inertial navigation systems with a magnetic field-based positioning system using magnetometers. This substitution eliminates dependency on satellite signals and mechanical inertial sensors, enabling operation in underground and metallic environments where GPS fails. The system uses magnetic flux measurements from multiple magnetometers to calculate position and velocity through magnetic signature recognition and time-delay estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field signatures as an intermediary medium for positioning. By measuring magnetic flux variations caused by the conduit structure and using these magnetic signatures as reference markers, the system can determine position without direct line-of-sight to satellites or mechanical contact with the conduit wall. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that carries position information through the conduit environment.
2Measurement precision
If odometer wheels are used on the sensor device to track distance, then position tracking is achieved for pig-mounted devices, but the device cannot be used for free-floating sensor implementations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal positioning method that works for both pig-mounted devices with defined orientation and free-floating devices with undefined orientation. The magnetic field-based system does not require mechanical contact or specific mounting configurations. By using magnetic flux patterns from the conduit structure as reference markers, the system provides distance tracking for any sensor device type, eliminating the need for odometer wheels or other mechanical tracking mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor device rolls along the bottom of the conduit to measure distance, then position estimation is achieved, but background noise increases and friction affects measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rolling contact with magnetic field sensing. Instead of using magnetometers to detect position through physical contact and rolling motion, the system uses magnetic flux measurements of the conduit structure itself as reference markers. This eliminates friction forces and mechanical background noise while maintaining position estimation capability. The sensor device can remain suspended or free-floating without mechanical contact.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensor devices with tethering are used to determine position, then position can be calculated using wire length, but the setup becomes complicated and difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from complex mechanical tethering systems and implements it through independent magnetic field sensing. Each sensor device determines its own position autonomously by measuring magnetic flux signatures and calculating time delays between magnetometer readings. This eliminates the need for physical tethers, multiple sensor devices, and complicated tethering arrangements, reducing system complexity while maintaining positioning capability.
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
This approach enables precise determination of sensor device velocity and position within fluid conduits, improving the accuracy of fluid conduit inspection by leveraging the repeatability of magnetic flux data and avoiding background noise and friction issues associated with traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor data including magnetic flux data comprising first magnetic flux data collected by the first magnetometer and second magnetic flux data collected by the second magnetometer
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for fluid conduit inspection using absolute velocity of a sensor device are provided. The method includes: receiving sensor data collected by a sensor device during a measurement run from an interior of the fluid conduit while traveling along a length of the fluid conduit, the sensor device including a first magnetometer and a second magnetometer each having a fixed position in the sensor device, the fixed positions defining a separation distance between the first magnetometer and second magnetometer, the sensor data including magnetic flux data comprising first magnetic flux data collected by the first magnetometer and second magnetic flux data collected by the second magnetometer; determining a time delay between when a magnetic signal is present in the first magnetic flux data and when the magnetic signal is present in the second magnetic flux data; determining an absolute velocity of the sensor device.