Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
0734005A0 | Using acoustic detectors | 37 |
20080314122 | MONITORING OF LEAKAGE IN WASTEWATER FORCE MAINS AND OTHER PIPES CARRYING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE - A method of detecting leakage in a force main involves placing at least two spaced sensors on the force main. Liquid is pumped through the pipe by means of a pump. The pump is shut down for an interval of time, and during the period following pump shutdown while negative pressure is present in the pipe, signals are generated at the sensors due to noise or vibration resulting from fluid being drawn into the pipe. The position of a leak in the pipe is determined by correlating the leak noise signals generated while the pipe is under negative pressure. Alternatively, the invention can be applied to a pressurized pipe, in which case conditions of negative pressure can be deliberatively created for a period to draw in fluid from the outside. | 12-25-2008 |
20080314123 | LEAKAGE DETECTOR - The present invention provides a leakage detector enabling accurate and stable detection for occurrence and a position of leakage in a buried fluid pipe line and also making it possible for even those not so skilled in the leakage detection work to use the detector. The leakage detector | 12-25-2008 |
20090013763 | ULTRASONIC SENSING ARRAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for detecting leaks in substantially closed objects, such as automobiles, airplanes, tanks, and other vehicles, using an ultrasonic transmitter and an array of ultrasonic sensors or receivers positioned or mounted on a frame. As the objects are passed through the frame, ultrasonic amplitude readings obtained from the sensors are processed to determine if they are representative of a defective or leaking object. The position of the leak may be determined by examining the readings from individual sensors. The system is particularly well-adapted for use in detecting defects and leaks in automobiles on an assembly line without interrupting the assembly process or damaging the automobile. | 01-15-2009 |
20090013764 | ULTRASONIC SENSING ARRAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for detecting leaks in substantially closed objects, such as automobiles, airplanes, tanks, and other vehicles, using an ultrasonic transmitter and one or more ultrasonic sensors or receivers supported on a frame. Ultrasonic amplitude readings obtained from the sensor or sensors are processed to determine if they are representative of a defective or leaking object. The position of the leak may be determined by examining the readings from individual sensors. The system is particularly well-adapted for use in detecting defects and leaks in automobiles on an assembly line without interrupting the assembly process or damaging the automobile. | 01-15-2009 |
20090025454 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING LEAKS IN SEALED COMPARTMENTS - The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for reliably detecting leaks in sealed compartments, such as compartments within vehicles. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus having a sealed compartment, such as a vehicle (e.g., automobile, airplane, etc.), is moved past an array of ultrasonic sensors. An ultrasonic transmitter is placed in the sealed compartment and emits ultrasonic energy as the apparatus is moved past the ultrasonic sensors. The transmitter has a plurality of adjustable transducers allowing the transmit profile of the transmitter to be tailored as may be desired, such as based on the type of compartment being tested. A leak can be automatically and non-destructively detected by analyzing data from the ultrasonic sensors. | 01-29-2009 |
20090126464 | Acoustic Detector - An acoustic detector is described for detecting acoustic waves in a medium that can be a relatively dense medium. The detector comprises a concentrating structure provided with a lens-shaped cavity and an acoustic lens made of a dense fluid received within the cavity. A sensor is positioned at an acoustic focus distance from the acoustic lens. Sound waves propagating within the medium towards the acoustic detector are captured by the acoustic lens, concentrated through the concentrating structure, and are collected by the sensor. The acoustic detector can be applied to a vast variety of applications. | 05-21-2009 |
20100000298 | METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR DETECTING SEALING DEFICIENCIES IN DRAINAGE AND VENT SYSTEMS FOR BUILDINGS - The method includes the following steps—introducing a low amplitude air pressure transient into the drainage and vent system of a building in order to propagate a pressure wave from a fitting ( | 01-07-2010 |
20100064775 | Leak and contamination detection micro-submarine - The leak and contamination detection micro-submarine includes an “electronic ear” and an “electronic nose” for detecting both leaks and chemicals within a pipe which may be leaking. The submarine includes an on-board electric motor which is radio remote controlled and may operate, or swim, in a manner similar to a fish using piezoelectric micro-motors and the like. Contamination, leak and other related data is stored in on-board memory and summary reports may be transmitted via RF signals. | 03-18-2010 |
20100139372 | Method for detecting leakage from a pipe - A method for detecting leakage from a pipe uses multiple channels/inputs, wherein a low frequency range input measures seismic noises, and a high frequency range input measures cavitation noises. A leakage indication is issued if both the low frequency and high frequency noises are simultaneously detected. A Sophisticated algorithm for processing sensors data in a four dimensional space includes location and time, includes a method for detecting an intruder's path in a location and time space. A method for detecting unauthorized access to oil, gas or other pipes, by monitoring the protective cathodic voltage and detecting changes in the voltage which are indicative of a technical failure or a deliberate attack on the pipe. | 06-10-2010 |
20100154515 | PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE MONITORING - A pressure relief valve monitoring system and method is disclosed. In one aspect there is an online pressure relief valve monitoring system that comprises at least one acoustic sensor located about a pressure relief valve that obtains ultrasonic measurements therefrom. One or more temperature sensors located about the pressure relief valve obtain temperature measurements therefrom. A data acquisition system receives the ultrasonic measurements from the at least one acoustic sensor and the temperature measurements from the one or more temperature sensors. An online monitor monitors the measurements received by the data acquisition system for detection of a leak about the pressure relief valve. The online monitor detects the presence of the leak as a function of the ultrasonic measurements and temperature measurements. | 06-24-2010 |
20100192677 | Diagnostic System and Diagnostic Method for a Valve, Particularly a Closing Valve or a Control Valve - A diagnostic system and a diagnostic method for a valve, particularly a closing valve or a control valve, which is actuatable by a drive and is installed in a pipeline. Using a sensor, the pressures in the inlet side of the pipeline are detected and compared with a first reference value in an evaluation device while the valve is closed. The solid-borne sound level is measured using a sensor, and compared with a second reference value in the evaluation device. A signal for displaying leakage exceeding the allowable amount is output if the sound level exceeds the second reference value and if the pressure in the inlet side is smaller than or equal to the first reference value. A characteristic curve field is used to determine the first reference value of the pressure, the parameters thereof being the Kv value and the leakage class of the valve. | 08-05-2010 |
20100307225 | METHOD FOR TESTING FOR THE PRESENCE OF A LEAK HOLE IN A FLUID CONTAINER - The present invention provides an excellent method for detecting a leak hole, the method being advantageous in: that a leak hole can be surely detected when any fluid present in the outside of a tank is caused, by internal decompression of the tank, to infiltrate into any fluid in the inside of the tank through the leak hole; that any leak hole present at any portion of the entire structure of a tank can be detected; and that the required testing time can be greatly shortened. | 12-09-2010 |
20110214485 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT INTEGRITY TESTS - A method and an apparatus are provided for carrying out integrity tests of at least one filter element, arranged within a filter housing, with porous filter materials. Sensors are provided for measuring the sound generated by a test fluid when it flows through the filter element. The method includes applying a test fluid to a first side of the filter materials of the filter element while maintaining a constant fluid pressure, measuring the body-borne sound and/or the vibrations caused by test fluid flowing through the filter materials by sensors, and comparing the body-borne sound and/or the vibrations with the body-borne sound and/or the vibrations of an integral, identical filter element, measured under identical conditions. | 09-08-2011 |
20120079872 | Pipeline Leak Location Using Ultrasonic Flowmeters - Fluid leaks are identified and located by successively monitoring changes in fluid flow and sound velocities of fluid at a plurality of locations in the pipe with flow meters, such as with ultrasonic flow meters. Preferably the successive monitoring sampling rates are sufficiently high to measure instantaneous velocity changes. A controller coupled to the meters associates changes in monitored fluid flow and sound velocities in two locations along the pipe with a leak event occurring between those locations. The controller identifies the association event at each location and correlates pipe leak location based at least in part on difference in time between the respective location events. The system and method may be used in liquid and gas pipeline transmission systems. | 04-05-2012 |
20120103069 | ACOUSTIC LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH ENVIROMENTAL NOISE ISOLATION - The acoustic leak detection system with environmental noise isolation provides for the acoustic detection of leaks in a pipe while minimizing interference from external or environmental noise. The acoustic leak detection system includes a hollow shell adapted for positioning about the pipe to be inspected. A pair of gaskets are circumferentially secured to the inner surface of the hollow shell so that the pair of gaskets bear against the outer surface of the pipe to form an acoustically isolated region defined between the pipe, the pair of gaskets and the inner surface of the hollow shell. An acoustic sensor, microphone or the like is mounted on the hollow shell within the acoustically isolated region for detecting any acoustic signals; i.e., the sound produced by a leak in the pipe within the acoustically isolated region. Upon detection of a leak, an alert signal is generated. | 05-03-2012 |
20120167668 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING LEAKS - A system for detecting leaks on a surface, such as a floor or a bottom of an equipment cabinet, includes a sound wave generator configured to generate sound waves, a tube having a first end coupled to the sound wave generator, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of openings formed in the tube, and a sound wave receiver coupled to the second end of the tube. The sound wave receiver is configured to detect sound waves generated by the sound wave generator that travel through the tube. The arrangement is such that sound waves are blocked from detection by the sound wave receiver when fluid enters the tube through the plurality of openings in the tube thereby indicating a fluid leak on the surface. | 07-05-2012 |
20120180552 | UNDERSEA PIPELINE INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEM USING LOW-FREQUENCY GUIDED ACOUSTIC WAVES AND DISTRIBUTED OPTICAL FIBER - A method and an apparatus for intrusion detection. The apparatus includes an acoustic source, a laser light source, a pressure-sensitive optical fiber including a first end and a second end. The second end is connected to the laser light source and oriented toward the acoustic source. The laser light source generates a laser pulse traveling through the pressure-sensitive optical fiber toward the acoustic source. The laser pulse includes a time-of-flight. The acoustic source generates an acoustic wave. The acoustic wave includes a plurality of evanescent wave fronts. The plurality of evanescent wave fronts, upon scattering from a non-uniform material region, radially contracts the pressure-sensitive optical fiber to alter the time-of-flight of the laser pulse along the pressure-sensitive optical fiber by increasing the fiber length. | 07-19-2012 |
20120247189 | METHOD OF MEASURING THE SIZE OF A LEAK IN A PNEUMATIC AIR CIRCUIT AND A RELATED DEVICE - A leak detecting device comprising: a housing with gas inlet, a gas outlet, at least one pressure gauge for measuring the gas pressure supplied to the tested system, at least one flow meter for measuring the flow of the gas from the device to the tested system, at least one flow control valve to vary the gas flow through the device, an operating valve for permitting the flow of the gas from the device into the system to be tested. When said device is utilized, the inlet is attached to a pressure generating apparatus, the outlet is attached to the system to be tested, said pressure gauge showing the system testing pressure, and the flow meter indicates the flow of the gas through the device and the system being tested, thereby indicating the existence of any leakage and quantifying the total size of the leakage. | 10-04-2012 |
20120285221 | ACOUSTIC PROBE FOR LEAK DETECTION IN WATER PIPELINES - Acoustic system for leak detection. The system includes a disk-shaped probe for insertion into fluid flowing within a pipe. The probe has a convex front surface facing in the flow direction and a substantially flat rear surface. The probe further includes wheels to engage a pipe wall to maintain the probe's orientation within the pipe. At least one pressure sensor is embedded in the probe and is responsive to pressure changes resulting from a leak in the pipe wall. Data collection circuitry is disposed in the probe to receive probe location data and to receive an acoustic signal from the pressure sensor from which the pressure and location of a leak may be determined. | 11-15-2012 |
20120312078 | PIPELINE REFLECTOMETRY APPARATUSES AND METHODS - A stationary apparatus connected to a pipeline can include an acoustic signal transmitter configured to transmit acoustic signals periodically into the pipeline. A mobile apparatus inserted into the pipeline can include at least one sensor unit configured to measure conditions surrounding the mobile apparatus as the mobile apparatus travels inside the pipeline, and an acoustic signal receiver unit. A controller can be configured to associate the acoustic signals received by the mobile apparatus with the conditions being measured, and store data in a memory device. Each of the acoustic signals can include an identifier code that is representative of transmission time at the stationary apparatus, and the controller can be configured to associate the identifier code with the conditions being measured by the mobile apparatus. | 12-13-2012 |
20130125625 | SELF-STICK RESONANT ENCLOSURE THAT RESPONDS TO FLUSH TOILET FILL VALVE WATER INFLOW VIBRATION - An electromechanical toilet leak detector comprises first and second enclosure portions. An adhesive structure disposed on the second enclosure portion, the adhesive structure in use for being removably adhered to the porcelain outer surface of a flush toilet. One of the first and second enclosure portions includes a groove that mates with a lip provided by the other of the first and second enclosure portions to provide a substantially water-resistant seal therebetween. A vibration sensing transducer disposed between the first and second enclosure portions generates a signal responsive to vibration generated by the toilet due to water inflow turbulence. | 05-23-2013 |
20130167619 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A STEAM PLANT - The invention relates to a monitoring apparatus ( | 07-04-2013 |
20130199272 | IN-PIPE MOBILE CROSS-CORRELATION-BASED SYSTEM FOR LEAK DETECTION - Leak detection system. The system locates leaks in a pipeline that includes RFID tags deployed at known locations along the pipeline. A pair of bodies tethered to one another a fixed distance apart travels along the pipeline. Each of the bodies is supported for movement substantially along the centerline of the pipeline and each body includes a sensor responsive to sound or pressure variations generated by a leak. Signals are correlated to identify the existence of a leak. Each body also includes an RFID reader for reading the RFID tags in the pipeline. At least one of the bodies includes a power supply and/or electronics that are adapted to correlate signals from sensor on each body to determine the location of a leak within the pipeline. | 08-08-2013 |
20140000347 | ULTRASONIC GAS LEAK DETECTOR WITH FALSE ALARM DISCRIMINATION | 01-02-2014 |
20140047902 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING A LEAKAGE FLOW ON AN ACTUATOR - In a method or device for quantifying a leakage flow on a process control valve, an intact reference control valve is used to determine several reference flow values in advance by placing the reference control valve in several reference opening positions and measuring the respective reference flow value for each of the reference opening positions. When determining the respective reference flow value, a reference mechanical vibration acquired in an environment of the reference control valve is allocated to the respective reference flow value. An instantaneous mechanical vibration is determined on the process control valve when it is closed. The reference mechanical vibration coming closest to the determined instantaneous mechanical vibration is identified by an identity or approximation comparison. The leakage flow is equated with the reference flow value allocated to the identified reference mechanical vibration. | 02-20-2014 |
20140069173 | Integrity Monitoring of Conduits - The present invention relates to a method of integrity monitoring of a conduit. An optic fibre is provided optic fibre along the path of the conduit, and a fluid in the conduit is pressurized and depressurized. The optic fibre is interrogated to provide a distributed acoustic sensor, and data is sampled from a plurality of longitudinal portions of the fibre during the pressurizing and depressurizing. The data is processed to detect a signal characteristic of the integrity of the conduit. | 03-13-2014 |
20140331745 | PIPELINE LEAK LOCATION USING ULTRASONIC FLOWMETERS - Fluid leaks are identified and located by successively monitoring changes in fluid flow and sound velocities of fluid at a plurality of locations in the pipe with flow meters, such as with ultrasonic flow meters. Preferably the successive monitoring sampling rates are sufficiently high to measure instantaneous velocity changes. A controller coupled to the meters associates changes in monitored fluid flow and sound velocities in two locations along the pipe with a leak event occurring between those locations. The controller identifies the association event at each location and correlates pipe leak location based at least in part on difference in time between the respective location events. The method may be used in liquid and gas pipeline transmission systems. | 11-13-2014 |
20140366612 | FLUID FLOW DETECTION AND ANALYSIS DEVICE AND SYSTEM - A fluid monitoring system has a plurality of sensors, the sensors being acoustically coupled to a pipe system containing interconnected fluid-transporting pipes. The sensors collect sensor data that is analyzed by an analysis system to provide leak identification on the pipe system. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is configured to be programmed adaptively by the analysis system to improve system performance parameters. A method for analyzing fluid flow is also described in which data from a plurality of acoustic sensing devices is analyzed using learning algorithms. | 12-18-2014 |
20150052979 | LEAKAGE SIGNAL ANALYSIS METHOD - A method for determining leak probability of a pipe includes receiving first and second signal data respectively for sound pressure (dB) of the pipe from a leak detection sensor operatively coupled to the pipe, the first and second signal data respectively associated with first and second time durations. The method further includes calculating a Root Mean Square (RMS) value of the first signal data for the first time duration, calculating a RMS average for the second signal data, where the second signal data includes a plurality of RMS values for the second time duration, calculating a RMS standard deviation for the second digital signal, and determining a first leak probability value based on a first excess rate of a first comparison value over the RMS standard deviation, the first comparison value being calculated based on the RMS value of the first signal data and the RMS average for the second signal data. | 02-26-2015 |
20150143876 | LEAKAGE DETECTION DEVICE AND FLUID CONTROLLER INCLUDING SAME - There is provided a leakage detection device which can be reduced in size and attached to a leakage detection target member, such as a fluid controller, all the time, and thus, can monitor leakage of fluid all the time, and a fluid controller having the same. A fluid controller is configured by a fluid controller main body and a leakage detection device which is attached to the fluid controller main body. In the fluid controller main body, a leakage port for detecting the leakage is provided. The leakage detection device includes a sensor holding body which is attached to the fluid controller main body; an ultrasonic sensor which is held by the sensor holding body to face the leakage port; an ultrasonic passage provided between a sensor surface of the ultrasonic sensor and the leakage port; and a processing circuit for processing an ultrasonic wave obtained by the ultrasonic sensor. | 05-28-2015 |
20160018283 | LEAK DETECTOR - Examples of a leak detection system are disclosed. In one example according to aspects of the present disclosure, a leak detection system includes a housing defining an interior, the housing connected to a component of a water distribution system. The leak detection system also includes a leak detection sensor contained within the interior of the housing and configured to detect a leak within the water distribution system. Additionally, the leak detection system includes a digital signal processing circuit in communication with the leak detection sensor. | 01-21-2016 |
20160033354 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LEAK DETECTION AND LOCATION FOR FLUID PIPELINES - The present invention discloses a method for leak detection and location for fluid pipelines, comprising a pipeline to be detected, characterized in that the pipeline to be detected is at least provided with two sensing devices having a certain distance therebetween. Acquisition points are formed at the positions of the sensing devices. The sensing devices can simultaneously sense acoustic vibrations of the pipeline in two directions, i.e., axial direction and radial direction of the pipeline, respectively. When there is a leak point in the pipeline to be detected between the two acquisition points, locating the leak point is performed according to the following formula: | 02-04-2016 |
20160076964 | LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM, VIBRATION DETECTION DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, AND LEAK DETECTION METHOD - A vibration detection device ( | 03-17-2016 |
20160084729 | DIRECTIONAL ULTRASONIC GAS LEAK DETECTOR - An embodiment of a directional ultrasonic gas leak detector includes an array of spaced MEMS microphones, each responsive to incident airborne ultrasonic energy from gas leak sources to generate a microphone signal. A beamforming processor is responsive to the microphone signals from the array to generate processor output signals indicative of estimated angles of arrival of ultrasonic energy incident on the array. The array may be disposed in an explosion proof housing structure for operation in hazardous location, or implemented as an intrinsically safe device. In another embodiment, a display is responsive to the processor output signals to generate an image representative of a surveilled scene with the estimated magnitudes of incident energy at beam directions overlaid onto the image. | 03-24-2016 |
20160084731 | ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE - An acoustic transducer apparatus comprising a bolt; a second portion; a first portion; a cover; a nut; an entrant optical fiber for connecting to an external device; an optical splitter with an input fiber; and, an optical fiber that is configured as a loop with at least one winding about an axis; wherein the entrant optical fiber, optical splitter, and looped optical fiber are configured to perform as an optical interferometer, and are contained within a housing made up of the bolt, second portion, first portion, cover, and nut and an associated method of use of the acoustic transducer apparatus. | 03-24-2016 |
20160252422 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING, IDENTIFYING AND LOCATING ANOMALOUS EVENTS WITHIN A PRESSURIZED PIPE NETWORK | 09-01-2016 |
20190145850 | METHOD FOR DETECTING DETERIORATION DEFECT OF STRUCTURAL PART USING STRUCTURAL UNIT | 05-16-2019 |