Structural Unit Modal Parameter Analysis for Pipeline Deterioration Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current industrial pipeline monitoring systems lack the capability to detect deterioration remotely and fail to provide early warnings, relying on environmental and process-parameter sensors that are not durable enough for harsh environments, leading to missed maintenance opportunities and challenges in constructing an effective early-warning system for pipeline safety.

Innovation Solution

A method involving defining a base structural unit, obtaining its modal parameters, and using sensors to detect actual modal parameters of similar units in a structural part, calculating subject modal parameters with predetermined ratios, and comparing them to base modal parameters to determine deterioration defects, enabling online monitoring and diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional environmental sensors and process-parameter sensors are used for monitoring, then the production process can be regulated, but the system lacks the capability to detect deterioration and provide early warnings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeterioration detection capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipeline system is divided into multiple structural units, each with its own modal parameters. Sensors are deployed at specific positions to detect vibrations of individual structural units, enabling localized deterioration detection without requiring a completely complex system overhaul.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes mechanical vibration characteristics of structural units as the basis for deterioration detection. By measuring natural frequencies and mode shapes of structural units, the system can identify changes indicating deterioration, providing a physically grounded approach to early warning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Reliability

If non-destructive detection technology is applied to partial pipeline positions, then broken pipelines can be detected, but early warning of deterioration cannot be provided and remote monitoring is not achievable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote deterioration monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddeterioration detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The modal parameter detection method serves multiple functions: it can detect both intact and deteriorated structural units, provide early warnings, and work across different pipeline positions. The same sensing approach is universally applicable to various structural units throughout the pipeline system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical inspection methods with vibration-based modal analysis. By substituting direct mechanical examination with indirect vibration measurement, the system achieves remote monitoring capability and simplifies the detection process while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If sensors are deployed to monitor the entire pipeline network, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to construct and maintain in harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverage areaVSAvoidsensor network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly deploying sensors throughout the entire pipeline, the patent places sensors at strategic positions where they can monitor specific structural units. Each sensor location is optimized for its local monitoring task, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective coverage of critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 allows for the early detection of pipeline deterioration, improving maintenance timing and reducing the complexity of constructing an early-warning system, enhancing pipeline safety monitoring by identifying defects and determining their degree and position accurately.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a respective one of M first subject structural units included in a subject structural part by each of M first sensors disposed at the subject structural part, so as to obtain N first actual modal parameters of each of the M first subject structural units

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectModal analysis: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10801914B2Method for detecting deterioration defect of structural part using structural unit

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

A method for detecting a deterioration defect of a structural part using a structural unit includes: defining a first base structural unit and obtaining N first base modal parameters of the first base structural unit; detecting a respective one of M first subject structural units of a subject structural part by each of M first sensors to obtain N first actual modal parameters of each of the M first subject structural units; calculating N first subject modal parameters of each of the M first subject structural units according to the N first actual modal parameters of each of the M first subject structural units and M*N first predetermined ratios; and comparing the N first subject modal parameters of each of the M first subject structural units to the N first base modal parameters to determine whether each of the M first subject structural units has a deterioration defect.