Leak noise correlator apparatus

• US 5,922,942 A
• Filed: 09/22/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Palmer Environmental Ltd. (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Palmer Environmental Ltd. (Halma PLC)
• Inventors: Roy, Keith John
• Primary Examiner(s): BROCK, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US08/935,315
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40.5 R, 73/40.5 A, 73/592
• US Class Current: 73/40.50A
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/243 for pipes

Abstract

A leak noise correlator apparatus comprises first and second data logging units having acoustic transducers connected to them for application to a fluid-carrying pipe either side of a suspected leak. One data logging unit is arranged to communicate an initialising signal to the other unit to synchronise the substantially simultaneous acquisition of signals by the two units. This initialising signal is communicated by an infra-red link when the two units are brought together prior to installation at their respective sites on the pipe. Subsequent cross-correlation of the acquired data records determines the location of the leak.

Claims

1. A leak noise correlator apparatus which comprises first and second data logging units having respective acoustic transducers connected to them, each data logging unit being arranged to record electrical signals from its acoustic transducer to provide a data record, and one said unit including means to communicate an initialising signal to the other said unit to synchronise the substantially simultaneous acquisition of signals by the two said units, the apparatus further comprising means to cross-correlate the data records acquired by the respective said unit.

2. A leak noise correlator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, arranged for said first and second data logging units to be brought together for said initialisation signal to be communicated prior to said units being separated and installed at their respective data logging sites.

3. A leak noise correlator apparatus as claimed in claim 2, comprising an infra-red link for transmitting said initialising signal from one said unit to the other.

4. A leak noise correlator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including means for comparing clock frequencies of said data logging units to determine any frequency difference.

5. A leak noise correlator apparatus as claimed in claim 4, arranged to effect a time-displacement correction of the data record acquired by one said unit relative to the data record acquired by the other said unit, in accordance with said frequency difference.

6. A leak noise correlator apparatus as claimed in claim 4, including means responsive to said frequency difference for adjusting the clock frequency of one said unit to agree with the clock frequency of the other said unit.

7. A leak noise correlator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which one of said data logging units includes said means for cross-correlating the data records acquired by the respective said units.

8. A leak noise correlator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a separate unit which includes said means for cross-correlating the data records acquired by the respective said units.