Embedded Sensor Polymer Layer for Buried Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The protection of buried high-pressure pipeline corridors and storage vessels from above-ground construction activities poses a significant risk to their integrity, leading to potential leaks and health, safety, and environmental issues, with existing methods like increasing pipe thickness or using concrete slabs being labor-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A subsurface impact protection system comprising a polymer layer, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), with embedded sensors that monitor conditions like pressure, temperature, and humidity, and transmit data wirelessly or through power lines to external receivers, providing real-time monitoring and alert systems for potential damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional protection methods like increasing pipe thickness or using concrete slabs are employed, then protection strength is improved, but labor intensity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible polymer protective layer (such as HDPE) instead of rigid concrete slabs or thickened pipes. This thin film approach provides effective impact protection while being easier to install and less labor-intensive, directly resolving the contradiction between protection strength and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures combining the polymer protective layer with the existing pipeline system. This composite approach achieves enhanced protection without requiring significant increases in pipe thickness or labor-intensive concrete slab installation
2Measurement precision
If sensor networks are embedded in the polymer layer, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective polymer layer with embedded sensor networks into a single integrated structure. The sensors are incorporated within the polymer matrix, combining protection and monitoring functions into one unified system, thereby improving monitoring capability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical impact protection while also serving as the housing and integration medium for the sensor network. This multi-functionality approach achieves enhanced monitoring capability without adding separate complex monitoring structures
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 system effectively absorbs above-ground impact forces, reduces labor and costs, and provides real-time monitoring of underground structures, enabling early detection of leaks or damage, thus enhancing the safety and integrity of buried assets.
Implementation Method 1
a subsurface polymer layer above the underground structure and configured to absorb above-ground impact force from reaching the underground structure
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of sensors comprise one or more of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of sensors comprise one or more of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor
Implementation Method 4
The plurality of sensors comprise one or more of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor
Implementation Method 5
wirelessly transmitting the delivered sensor signals comprises using a radio frequency of between 300 megahertz (MHz) and 2400 MHz
Data Source
AI summary
A subsurface impact protection system for protecting an underground structure is provided. The protection system includes a subsurface polymer layer above the underground structure which is configured to absorb above-ground impact force from reaching the underground structure. A sensor network is embedded in the polymer layer. The sensor network includes a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the polymer layer by generating a corresponding plurality of sensor signals of conditions near the polymer layer and transmitting the generated sensor signals to one or more external receivers. In some embodiments, the polymer layer includes a protective mesh made up of a plurality of high density polyethylene (HDPE) strands in a woven pattern. In one such embodiment, the sensors occupy gaps in the protective mesh. A method of protecting an underground structure is also provided.