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Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in pipelines using cross-correlation techniques

  • US 5,205,173 A
  • Filed: 06/21/1991
  • Issued: 04/27/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for detecting a leak position in a pipeline comprising:

  • first sensor means for disposition at a first position on one side of a pipeline leak to detect sounds generated by the leak and operative to develop a first analog electrical signal corresponding to such sounds;

    second sensor means for disposition at a second position on the opposite side of the leak at a known distance from said first sensor means to detect sound generated by the leak and operative to develop a second analog electrical signal corresponding to such sounds;

    analog-to-digital converter means for converting said first analog signal to a digital signal including a series of first digital signal samples, and for converting said second analog signal to a digital signal including a series of second digital signal samples;

    first latch means for temporarily storing each said first signal sample;

    second latch means for temporarily storing each said second signal sample;

    memory means having a first sample storage channel coupled to said first latch means and operative to store the "n" most recent first signal samples each previously temporarily stored in said first latch means, and a second sample storage channel coupled to said second latch means and operative to store the "n" most recent second signal samples each previously temporarily stored in said second latch means, where "n" is a predetermined nonzero integer;

    multiplier means having a first input coupled to said first latch means and said first sample storage channel, and a second input coupled to said second latch means and said second sample storage channel;

    control means for causing said multiplier means to alternately multiply each first signal sample temporarily stored in said first latch means with each of the "n" samples stored in said second storage channel, and each second signal sample temporarily stored in said second latch means with each of the "n" samples stored in said first storage channel;

    accumulator means for accumulating the results of each said multiplication; and

    display means for displaying the accumulated results to indicate the position of said leak relative to the positions of said first and second sensor means.

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