Sonic detection of gas leaks in underground pipes
First Claim
1. A sound detection device for locating gas leaks in underground pipelines comprising:
- a sound transducer; and
an elongated probe having one end which is capable of being inserted in the ground for a substantial portion of the length of said probe, and an opposing end secured to said transducer above the ground;
said probe and said sound transducer having a combined effective mechanical resonant frequency equal to or below the electrical resonant frequency of said transducer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and process for locating gas leaks in underground pipelines by detection of sound waves created by the leaking gas. The apparatus and process uses a sound transducer attached to an elongated probe inserted in the ground for a substantial portion of its length. The elongated probe and transducer combination has an effective mechanical resonant frequency equal to or below the electrical resonant frequency of the sound transducer. The passive sonic detection apparatus and process of this invention provides improved sensitivity for detection of sounds created by leaking gas and thereby more accurate pinpointing of the gas leak in an underground pipeline. In one embodiment acoustic reflection and absorption shielding is provided for reduction of system response to airborne noise.
32 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A sound detection device for locating gas leaks in underground pipelines comprising:
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a sound transducer; and an elongated probe having one end which is capable of being inserted in the ground for a substantial portion of the length of said probe, and an opposing end secured to said transducer above the ground; said probe and said sound transducer having a combined effective mechanical resonant frequency equal to or below the electrical resonant frequency of said transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 29)
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- 15. In a sound detection device for locating gas leaks in underground pipelines of the type having a sonic transducer and a sonic detection attachment secured to said transducer, the improvement comprising said attachment being a single elongated probe having in combination with said transducer an effective mechanical resonant frequency equal to or below the electrical resonant frequency of said transducer, one end of said probe adapted for insertion into the ground and an opposing end of said probe adapted for securement to said transduced.
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24. A process for locating gas leaks in underground pipelines comprising the steps of:
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inserting an elongated probe into the ground above said pipeline for a substantial portion of the length of said probe, leaving one end of said probe exposed above the ground; securing a sound transducer to said exposed end of said probe, the combination of said probe and transducer having an effective mechanical resonant frequency equal to or below the electrical resonant frequency of said transducer; analyzing the electrical output signal of said transducer to identify a leak; and repeating the process in a plurality of additional points in the ground above said pipeline to ascertain the strongest output signal to locate said leak. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification