Water Pipe Acoustic Analysis for Non-Intrusive Material Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utilities face challenges in identifying lead and galvanized steel service pipes non-intrusively due to the need for access to homes and the limitations of current testing methods, which are intrusive and inaccurate when dealing with mixed material compositions.

Innovation Solution

A method using acoustic wave analysis to identify pipe materials by generating controlled vibrations in the pipe through a curb stop shut-off valve, measuring the vibration response with transducers, and analyzing the response using a signal analyzer to determine the pipe's material based on resonant frequencies, damping factors, and harmonics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual inspection and water sampling programs are used to identify lead pipes, then material identification can be achieved, but access to homes is required which is difficult to arrange with occupants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial identification accuracyVSAvoidaccess to home

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces intrusive mechanical inspection methods (visual inspection requiring home entry) with acoustic wave analysis that can detect pipe material through external measurements. Acoustic waves are transmitted through the pipe and the material is identified by analyzing the acoustic response, eliminating the need for physical access to the interior of homes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to detect pipe material properties. Instead of directly inspecting the pipe interior or taking water samples, acoustic waves serve as a mediator that interacts with the pipe material and carries information about its composition back to the detection device, enabling non-intrusive identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If electrical resistivity testing devices are inserted inside the service pipe, then material identification can be performed, but the method is highly intrusive to the homeowner

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial identification accuracyVSAvoidintrusiveness to homeowner

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces intrusive electrical resistivity testing (which requires inserting devices into the pipe) with acoustic wave analysis. Acoustic waves can be transmitted through the pipe wall and analyzed externally, substituting the need for internal device insertion and eliminating the harmful intrusiveness to the homeowner while maintaining material identification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If testing is performed at the homeowner's side of the service pipe, then material identification is possible, but the result is dominated by the response of the pipe closest to the sensor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial identification capabilityVSAvoididentification of distant pipe material

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the measurement dimension from one-sided testing (at the homeowner's end only) to bidirectional or multi-point acoustic wave transmission. By transmitting acoustic waves from multiple locations and analyzing the combined response, the system can distinguish between different pipe sections and identify materials throughout the entire service line, not just the portion nearest the sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 non-intrusive identification of pipe materials, including lead, without requiring access to homes, allowing utilities to accurately map and replace lead pipes in water systems.

Implementation Method 1

generating controlled vibrations in the water pipe using a vibration exciter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

detecting a vibration response associated with the water pipe in response to the controlled vibrations using a vibration transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

analyzing and processing the vibration response using a vibration signal analyzer to identify the material of the water pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS12487209B2Identifying material used in water pipes using acoustic wave analysis

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 SOLINAS TECH INC

AI summary

A method for identifying a material of a water pipe buried below ground is provided. The method includes generating controlled vibrations in the water pipe using a vibration exciter, and detecting a vibration response associated with the water pipe in response to the controlled vibrations using a vibration transducer in vibrational communication with the water pipe. The method further includes analyzing and processing the vibration response using a vibration signal analyzer to identify the material of the water pipe based on a comparison of the processed vibration response of the water pipe to a known vibration response of a known water pipe material.