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Detection apparatus and method

  • US 10,060,821 B2
  • Filed: 10/23/2014
  • Issued: 08/28/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A pipeline apparatus comprising:

  • a flexible pipe body including a sensor member and a return member extending at least partially along the length of the flexible pipe body and electrically isolated from one another except for being electrically connected at a point remote from a first end of the flexible pipe body, wherein the sensor member is exposed along at least part of the length of the flexible pipe body and has a predetermined resistance per unit length and the return member is electrically insulated;

    a first constant current source having a first terminal arranged to supply a constant electrical current to the sensor member and a second terminal coupled to the return member at the first end of the flexible pipe body; and

    a first voltmeter arranged to measure the voltage across the first current source;

    wherein a change in the voltage across the first current source is indicative of the distance along the sensor member from the end coupled to the first terminal of the first current source to a pipe body defect causing the sensor member to be connected to Earth.

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