Ultrasonic Flow Meter Acoustic Leak Detection Using Sound Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic leak detection systems in fluid pipe networks suffer from high background noise levels, leading to low sensitivity and high false alarm rates due to a small signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
The method and system utilize ultrasonic flow meters installed at consumer sites to detect sound waves traveling along the pipes, determining their direction to differentiate between leakage sounds and background noise by interpreting waves traveling towards the consumer site as leakage candidates and those traveling away as background noise, using phase shift, time shift, and amplitude differences between transducers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic flow meters are used to detect leakage sounds in fluid pipe networks, then leakage detection capability is provided, but background noise leads to low sensitivity and high false alarm rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes background noise from the detected sound signals by analyzing the direction of sound wave propagation. Only sound waves traveling towards the consumer site are considered as potential leakage signals, while sounds traveling away are identified and removed as background noise, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio and detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that analyzes the traveling direction of sound waves using ultrasonic transducers. This intermediary analysis acts as a filter between the raw sound detection and the final leakage determination, enabling differentiation between actual leakage sounds and background noise based on directional information
2Reliability
If acoustic leak detection is performed using existing methods, then leakage detection is achieved, but the signal-to-noise ratio is small leading to high false alarm rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to sound detection by analyzing not only the presence but also the traveling direction of sound waves. This directional dimension allows the system to distinguish between leakage sounds and background noise, improving alarm accuracy without sacrificing signal detection 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 enhances sensitivity for detecting leaks and reduces false alarms by filtering out background noise based on sound wave direction, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and accuracy of leak detection.
Implementation Method 1
detecting at least one sound wave traveling along the pipe and/or along fluid within the pipe from a sound source to the at least one ultrasonic flow meter
Implementation Method 2
using phase shift, time shift, and amplitude differences between transducers
Implementation Method 3
determining the traveling direction of at least one of the at least one sound wave
Data Source
AI summary
A method for acoustic leakage detection in a fluid pipe network (1) uses at least one ultrasonic flow meter (13) installed at a pipe (15, 17). The pipe connects a consumer site (3) to the fluid pipe network. The method includes detecting at least one sound wave traveling along the pipe and/or along fluid within the pipe from a sound source to the at least one ultrasonic flow meter, determining the traveling direction of at least one of the at least one sound wave, interpreting a sound wave of the at least one sound wave as a leakage sound candidate if the determined traveling direction of said sound wave is towards the consumer site, and interpreting a sound wave of the at least one sound wave as a background noise if the determined traveling direction of said sound wave is away from the consumer site.