Pipeline Weld Identification via Encoded Coordinates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Radiographic technicians may skip inspecting weld joints in pipelines by presenting duplicate images, and existing methods to prevent this, such as applying letters, can be tampered with by digitally altering or replacing physical stickers.
Innovation Solution
Applying unique, visually encoded circular patterns representing geographic coordinates at each weld joint, which are captured during inspection and cannot be easily replaced or spoofed, using a system with a global position sensor, code generation module, and code application device to ensure accurate identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If letters are applied to weld joints using contrast material, then weld joints can be differentiated in radiographic images, but the system can be tampered with by digitally replacing letters or physical stickers
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is segmented into multiple components: the base letter identifier and the unique serial number. This segmentation allows the serial number to provide additional verification that cannot be easily spoofed, as it requires both the letter and serial number to match the weld joint database record.
Solution Approach 2:
The serial number is pre-assigned to each weld joint and recorded in the database before the actual welding and inspection process. This preliminary action creates a reference trail that can verify the authenticity of the identification markers applied during inspection.
2Ease of operation
If simple letter markers are used on weld joints, then the system is easy to apply and understand, but it provides insufficient information to prevent spoofing
Solution Approach 1:
The serial number is nested within the existing letter identification system. The serial number contains embedded information about the weld joint that complements the letter identifier, creating layers of identification where the serial number provides verification information nested within the overall identification framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification system transitions from a single-dimensional letter marker to a two-dimensional identification space by adding the serial number component. This additional dimension allows for much greater information density while maintaining the simple visual format of text markers that are easy to apply and read.
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
Ensures that each weld joint is uniquely identified and properly inspected, preventing tampering and ensuring compliance by encoding geographic coordinates within the patterns that are visible in radiographic images, thus maximizing information density and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a global position sensor configured to be placed in proximity to each of a plurality of weld joints and respectively measure a numerical value of latitude and longitude
Implementation Method 2
using a contrast material that is capturable in a digital radiographic image captured during inspection of the given weld joint
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for physically labeling structural features, such as weld joints in a pipeline, with pattern-based codes that uniquely identify respective features. The systems and methods are also provided for identifying the features based on imagery of the codes captured during subsequent inspection of the weld joints. In particular, the weld joints can be uniquely identified by encoding measured geographic coordinates within two distinguishable circular patterns that correspond to latitude and longitude, respectively. In addition, the pattern-based codes can be applied to respective weld joints using a contrast material such that the codes are revealed in the images of the weld joints captured during inspection. Furthermore, the systems and methods include analyzing the images captured during inspection to identify the inspected weld joints for the purpose of verifying that each weld joint was properly inspected in the field.