Wireless Sensor Marker for Pipeline Leak Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for pinpointing leaks in natural gas pipelines are inefficient, costly, and time-consuming, involving destructive drilling and inaccurate methane sensing.

Innovation Solution

A remotely powered methane sensor marker that wirelessly harvests power and transmits data, eliminating the need for drilling by using RF-powered low-power electronics and sensors to detect methane concentrations underground.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional bar hole drilling methods are used to detect methane concentration, then leak location can be identified, but the process becomes time-consuming, costly, and destructive to the infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak location accuracyVSAvoidpinpointing process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drilling system with a wireless sensor system. Instead of physically drilling bar holes to insert methane sensors, the invention uses wireless sensors that can detect methane concentration through the ground or in accessible locations, eliminating the time-consuming and destructive drilling process while maintaining leak detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication technology as an intermediary between the sensor and the data collection system. The wireless sensor transmits methane concentration data wirelessly to a central system, eliminating the need for physical bar hole access and enabling remote monitoring, which significantly reduces the time and cost of leak pinpointing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If traditional bar hole drilling methods are used to detect methane concentration, then leak location can be identified, but the process becomes expensive and requires additional repaving costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak location accuracyVSAvoidinfrastructure repair cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses wireless sensor data to create a digital representation of methane concentration along the pipeline. This virtual model allows utilities to identify leak locations and plan repairs more efficiently, reducing the need for extensive physical infrastructure disruption and subsequent repaving costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If wireless sensors are used to detect methane concentration underground, then drilling is eliminated and costs are reduced, but power supply becomes a challenge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoidsensor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sampling of methane concentration by the wireless sensor rather than continuous monitoring. The sensor takes measurements at predetermined time intervals, which significantly reduces power consumption while still providing effective leak detection capability. This periodic operation allows the sensor to function underground without requiring extensive power supply infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs energy harvesting techniques where the wireless sensor collects ambient energy from the environment (such as radio frequency energy or temperature differentials) to power its operations. This self-powered approach eliminates the need for external power supply infrastructure, reducing installation costs and enabling battery-free operation while maintaining the ability to detect and report methane leaks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 rapid and accurate leak localization without destructive drilling, reducing costs and time, and allowing for battery-free operation with wireless communication of data.

Implementation Method 1

a power module configured to wirelessly harvest power received from an antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF power harvesting: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10823717B2Wireless power transfer and sensing for monitoring pipelines

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A system for use in wirelessly monitoring a pipeline such as a natural gas pipe. The system includes a locator configured to wirelessly transmit power and a subsoil sensor marker located adjacent the pipe and configured to wirelessly communicate with the locator. The sensor marker includes a microcontroller, a memory module, a sensor configured to sense the presence of a gas, and a power module. The power module is configured to harvest a sufficient amount of the power wirelessly transmitted from the locator in order to operate the microcontroller to take a measurement via the sensor, save the measurement in the memory module, and wirelessly transmit the measurement to the locator.