Pipeline monitoring array
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor device for use in a pipeline comprising:
- (a) a plurality of sensors fixed together in relative position, and;
(b) means for determining the orientation of at least one of the said plurality of sensors relative to a known direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An array of acoustic sensors spaced along a cable is deployed in a fluid filled concrete pipeline and the sensors are monitored to find acoustic anomalies, particularly anomalies resulting from breakage of a reinforcing wire for the concrete. The location of wire breaks is found from the data collected.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A sensor device for use in a pipeline comprising:
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(a) a plurality of sensors fixed together in relative position, and; (b) means for determining the orientation of at least one of the said plurality of sensors relative to a known direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A pipeline system having a plurality of access points at known locations, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of acoustic sensors, at least one of such sensors being connected to each of said access points, (b) a data collection device for each acoustic sensor, and (c) means for generating an acoustic signal upon collection of data having predetermined characteristics by a said data collection device. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A method of acquiring acoustic data in a pipeline having access points at known locations which comprises:
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(a) deploying a plurality of first acoustic sensors, each having its own data collection device each first sensor being connected to a different one of said access points, (b) monitoring said first sensors for detected acoustic emissions, (c) recording data relating to the acoustic emissions detected by the acoustic sensor at each access point to its own data collection device (d) after receipt of a detected acoustic emission, generating an acoustic signal, and (e) recording data related to the acoustic signal at at least two first sensors. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of acquiring acoustic data within a pipeline which comprises:
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(a) providing a plurality of sensors spaced at selected locations within the pipeline, (b) monitoring said sensors for detected acoustic emissions, (c) separately recording data relating to the acoustic emissions detected by each sensor, (d) upon detection of acoustic emissions with desired characteristics by at least two sensors, generating an acoustic signal, and (e) receiving acoustic emissions caused by said acoustic signal at at least two of said sensors, and recording data related to said emissions caused by said acoustic signal. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of acquiring data in a pipeline comprising:
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(a) deploying within the pipeline a device including a plurality of sensors fixed together in relative position and means for determining the orientation of at least one of the said plurality of sensors relative to a known direction; and (b) monitoring the sensors included in said device for detected emissions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of acquiring data in a pipeline with a fluid flowing through it, said pipeline having an access port, which method comprises:
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(a) introducing into the pipeline through said access port a length of a cable having a plurality of spaced sensors along it, while retaining a portion of the cable exterior to the pipeline, (b) allowing the fluid flow within the pipeline to deploy the sensors within the pipeline to positions remote from said access port, (c) providing a monitoring location connected to said cable external to said pipeline (d) monitoring at said monitoring location for output of said sensors transmitted along said cable to said monitoring location as a result of emissions sensed by said sensors. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification