Ultrasonic Pig Data Compression for Pipeline Wall Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic wall thickness measurement tools face challenges in data storage due to limited capacity, leading to the use of lossy compression techniques that compromise data accuracy and reconstruction of original signals, especially in non-tethered tools used for pipeline inspections.
Innovation Solution
A method employing data compression that selects and stores the maximal N peaks and their associated information from ultrasonic receiving signals, allowing for the reconstruction of full A-scan signals and enabling automated event-picking for improved data reduction and accuracy, while maintaining relevant information for evaluation and verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lossy compression techniques are used to reduce data storage requirements, then the data storage capacity is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to loss of valuable data and potential errors in determining wall thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores only the most relevant features from the ultrasonic signals - specifically the N peaks with largest amplitudes and their associated information (position, amplitude, width). This selective extraction reduces data storage requirements while preserving the critical information needed for accurate wall thickness measurement, avoiding the data loss inherent in traditional lossy compression techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing strategies to different portions of the signal based on their importance. Critical signal features (peaks representing reflections from pipe walls) are preserved with high fidelity through selective storage, while less important portions are compressed or discarded. This local quality approach ensures measurement precision is maintained for the most relevant data
2Measurement precision
If all original measurement data is stored to maintain measurement precision, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to large data storage requirements in non-tethered tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential features from the complete ultrasonic signal - the N peaks with largest amplitudes and their associated parameters. This extraction dramatically reduces the data volume that must be stored in non-tethered tools, simplifying the storage system while maintaining sufficient information for accurate wall thickness measurement and event identification
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing all raw data and then processing it, the patent inverts the approach by first processing the signal to extract only the necessary features, then storing this compressed but sufficient data. This inversion reduces storage requirements and device complexity while preserving measurement precision
3Device complexity
If traditional peak-picking methods are used to reduce data, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because original signals cannot be reconstructed or verified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores multiple parameters for each peak (position, amplitude, width, and association with events like ID echo or OD echo) rather than just the peak position. This parameter enrichment allows for more reliable signal reconstruction and verification while maintaining relatively simple device complexity, as the additional parameters provide redundancy and context for validating measurements
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 reduces data storage requirements while maintaining the ability to reconstruct original signals, enhancing the accuracy and robustness of wall thickness measurements, even in challenging conditions like corrosion or poor signal-to-noise ratios, and automates the evaluation process for faster and more reliable results.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic wall thickness measurement
Implementation Method 2
reflections of the ultrasound on the object
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are described for determining a wall thickness of an object such as a pipeline using ultrasound. A pig is used that includes at least one first ultrasonic transducer that is attached to the pig for transmitting ultrasound in the object. Using at least one second ultrasonic transducer, a receiving signal is generated representing reflections of the ultrasound on the object received by the at least one second transducer. The received signals are processed by a processor provided at the pig to obtain a compressed receiving signal. In use, the processor determines a maximal N peaks having largest amplitudes and associated information on a moment on which each one of the maximal N peaks occurs within the receiving signal. Information about the maximal N peaks and associated information on the moment on which the maximal N peaks occurs is stored as the compressed receiving signal in a storing device of the pig.