Utility Service Pipe Material Detection via Acoustic Wave Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the material properties of utility-side service pipes in water distribution systems are invasive, as they require access to the junction between the service pipe and the water main, which is often underground or inaccessible.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive method using two acoustic sensors placed on the utility-side service pipe and a segment of the water main, generating acoustical waves and analyzing the recorded signals to estimate the speed of sound and attenuation, allowing for the determination of pipe material without direct access to the junction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive methods are used to determine pipe material properties, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring access to underground junctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe material determination accuracyVSAvoidsensor placement accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses acoustic waves as an intermediary to transmit information about pipe material properties from inaccessible underground junctions to accessible sensor locations. By placing sensors on above-ground appurtenances and analyzing acoustic wave propagation through the pipe system, the method determines material properties without direct access to the pipe-material interface, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and operational ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/invasive inspection methods with acoustic wave-based non-invasive measurement. Instead of physically accessing and examining pipe materials at underground junctions, the system uses acoustic wave propagation characteristics (velocity, attenuation) to indirectly determine material properties, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If non-invasive acoustic methods are used, then ease of operation is improved by allowing sensor placement on accessible appurtenances, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to indirect measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor placement accessibilityVSAvoidpipe material determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback by analyzing the acoustic wave signals received from the pipe system and using this information to determine material properties. The system measures acoustic wave velocity and attenuation characteristics, then uses this feedback information to identify pipe material, ensuring accurate determination despite the non-invasive approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in acoustic wave parameters (velocity, attenuation) as the acoustic wave propagates through different pipe materials. By measuring these parameter changes and comparing them against known material characteristics, the system achieves precise material identification through indirect acoustic measurement, resolving the precision concern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables convenient and accurate determination of the dominant material in utility-side service pipes using sound attenuation and speed measurements, overcoming the limitations of invasive methods by allowing sensor placement on accessible appurtenances.

Implementation Method 1

at least one acoustical wave is generated in the utility-side service pipe and the segment of the water main while signal data is recorded from the acoustic sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustical wave propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS20250271398A1Material properties determination in service pipe using acoustical wave propagation

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 MUELLER INT LLC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for determining the material properties of a utility-side service pipe in a non-invasive manner. Two acoustic sensors are placed bracketing a utility-side service pipe and a segment of a water main. An acoustical wave is generated in the utility-side service pipe and the segment of the water main while signal data is recorded from the acoustic sensors. An estimate of a speed of sound and/or an attenuation factor for the utility-side service pipe is computed from the recorded signal data, and the material of the utility-side service pipe is determined based upon the computed speed of sound in utility-side service pipe and a relationship between the speed of sound in a pipe and a material of the pipe and/or the computed attenuation factor for the utility-side service pipe and a relationship between the attenuation factor of a pipe and the material of the pipe.