SYSTEM METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LEAK DETECTION AND LOCALIZATION IN A PIPE NETWORK

• US 20140174186A1
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aquarius Spectrum Ltd. (Aliaxis SA)
• Original Assignee: Aquarius Spectrum Ltd. (Aliaxis SA)
• Inventors: Salomon, David
• Application Number:
  US14/189,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20140174186A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/587
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/66 by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/24 using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/243 for pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/14 using acoustic emission techniques echo of particles G01N29/046; measuring mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in solids in general G01H1/00

Abstract

The invention provides a system for leak detection of a fluid in a pipe network. The system includes flow meters, and vibration detectors adapted to be attached to a pipe at a location in the pipe network. A processor analyzes signals generated by the flow meters and vibration detectors to identify the presence of one or more leaks in the pipe network. The invention also provides a method for detecting and localizing leaks in a pipeline network, and a device comprising a flow meter integral with a vibration detector for use in the system of the invention.

Claims

1. An integrated flow and vibration device comprising:

a wet chamber comprising a flow meter configured to generate a flow signal;

a dry chamber comprising a vibration sensor configured to generate a vibration signal from vibrations generated by a leak;

an interface between the wet chamber and the dry chamber comprising an acoustically coupling material configured to conduct vibrations from the wet chamber to the vibration sensor of the dry chamber; and

a processor configured to receive and process the flow signal and the vibration signal.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an antenna, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit using the antenna a processed signal based on processing the flow signal and the vibration signal.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor of the dry chamber is provided at a bottom of the dry chamber in contact with the acoustically coupling material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is in the shape of a disk.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is in the shape of a cone.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the cone has a base end directed towards the dry chamber and a pointed end directed towards the wet chamber.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow meter comprises a vane that rotates when driven by fluid flowing through the wet chamber.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the rotation of the vane causes a rotation of a first magnet in the wet chamber.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the rotation of the first magnet in the wet chamber causes a rotation of a second magnet in the dry chamber.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the rotation of the second magnet in the dry chamber causes generation of the flow signal.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the flow signal is generated using a wire coil in the dry chamber.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the acoustically coupling material is silicone rubber.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor comprises a piezo membrane.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the piezo membrane comprises at least one of:

PVDF film and a piezo ceramic material.