Method and apparatus for ultrasonic leak location

• US 5,400,645 A
• Filed: 08/19/1993
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Kunze, Ulrich, Knoblach, Walter, Schulze, Gunther
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brock, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US08/109,386
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40.5 A, 73/587, 73/592, 364/509, 364/550
• US Class Current: 73/40.50A
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/24 using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/243 for pipes

Abstract

A method for ultrasonic leak location includes showing sound levels in a bar diagram at various locations along a measurement segment. The measuring segment is divided into subsegments with intrinsically uniform damping. Effective portions are obtained by multiplying the subsegments by the associated damping coefficient, and an effective portion is assigned to each of the subsegments. Corresponding effective measuring positions are ascertained for the measuring locations within the effective portions. Respective logarithmized net sound levels are plotted through the ascertained effective measuring locations and two inclined straight lines are produced as a result. An intersection of the straight lines in the bar diagram is ascertained for identifying a leak point. An apparatus for ultrasonic leak location includes a number of ultrasound pickups being disposed at measuring locations along a measuring segment, a data processing computer, amplifiers and components forming an effective value. The amplifiers and the components are connected between outputs of the ultrasound pickups and the data processing system.

Claims

1. A method for ultrasonic leak location, which comprises:

a) showing sound levels in a bar diagram at various locations along a measurement segment;

b) dividing the measuring segment into subsegments each having a length and an associated damping coefficient, each subsegment having uniform damping therewithin, and each subsegment being different from neighboring subsegments;

c) obtaining effective subsegments by multiplying the lengths of the subsegments with the associated damping coefficient, and assigning an effective subsegment to each of the subsegments;

d) ascertaining corresponding effective measuring locations for the measuring locations within the effective subsegments;

e) plotting respective logarithmized net sound levels through the ascertained effective measuring locations, and producing two inclined straight lines as a result; and

f) ascertaining an intersection of the straight lines in the bar diagram for identifying a leak point.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises displaying the leak location on a screen.

3. The method according to claim 1, which comprises displaying the leak location on a printout of a plotter.

4. An apparatus for ultrasonic leak location, comprising:

a number of ultrasound pickups being disposed at measuring locations along a measuring segment and having outputs;

a data processing system;

amplifiers; and

components producing an effective value, said amplifiers and said components being connected between the outputs of said ultrasound pickups and said data processing system;

said data processing system being a computer having;

means for determining effective measuring locations from the measuring locations by taking damping along the measuring segment into account,

means for preparing a bar diagram with the effective measuring positions with the aid of logarithmized effective values,

means for inscribing two straight lines of different slope along peaks in the bar diagram, and

means for characterizing an actual leak point by determining the intersection of the lines.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said ultrasonic pickups are positioned within separate subsegments with the same damping.