Method and a synthetic danger predicting and disaster preventing monitor system in which pipelines laid under the ground or through a structure are employed in their entirety for a synthetic danger predicting alarm sensor

• US 6,155,292 A
• Filed: 03/10/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sakuji Kurata
• Original Assignee: Sakuji Kurata
• Inventors: Kurata, Sakuji
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/265,909
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 137/551, 137/552, 137/372, 73/40.5 R
• US Class Current: 137/552
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/002 by using thermal means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/16 using electric detection means G01M3/045, G01M3/06, G01M3/12, G01M3/20, G01M3/24, G01M3/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/24 using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7025 Pipe line transport
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8175 Plural

Abstract

A method and a synthetic danger predicting and disaster preventing monitor system in which waterworks pipelines laid around under the ground or through a structure are employed in their entirety for a synthetic danger predicting alarm sensor to thereby predict a variety of occurable trouble, discover a sign of disastrous incidence early before a great accident results, and locate the place at which trouble occurs so that trouble remedying works are completed before a resultant great accident happens. Both end portions of piping 1 positioned across each of a great number of specific intervals (Nos. 1 to N) set at required portions of water distributing pipelines laid under the ground or through a structure are fitted with synthetic sensors S provided with detector portions for sound, radiation, heat, mechanical strain, electricity, magnetism and vibration. Signals simultaneously measured by means of the detector portions of said sensors S are measured including those of information of abnormality caused by variation of the respective detecting signals from their normal condition. The measured data signals are subjected to A-D conversion, and are transmitted in the form of a radio wave to a communications satellite from a manhole antenna. The data signals received through the communications satellite are collected and analyzed by means of a data processor to check them for abnormality. If the data signals are judged to be of information of abnormality, a display unit for information of abnormality indicates the position and particulars of trouble which causes the information of abnormality.

Claims

1. A method wherein a plurality of pipelines which are laid under the ground or through a structure at specific intervals are employed in their entirety for a synthetic danger predicting alarm sensor, characterized in that both end portions of each of said plurality of pipelines are fitted with synthetic sensors, each of said synthetic sensors are provided with detector portions for taking measurements in connection with at least sound, radiation, heat, mechanical stain, electricity, magnetism and vibration, and wherein signals of abnormality information which are given for the external or internal portion of each pipeline laid under the ground or through a structure, or the interior of a geologic stratum or that of the structure as a result of variation of measuring signals from their normal condition are simultaneously measured by means of the detector portions of said sensors, and means for analyzing said signals to predict disastrous trouble at one or ones of specific intervals of the plurality of pipelines.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized by that the synthetic sensors attached to both end portions of each of said plurality of pipelines are fitted to a pair of jointing portions of the pipelines which are adjacent to each other through the pipelines and exposed in spacious portions within manholes, or a pair of exposed jointing portions of the pipelines which are adjacent to each other through the pipelines in spacious portions within the structure.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said detector portions compromise an underwater microphone for detecting sound and vibration attached to a ringed belt on a side of jointing portions along the outer circumferential portion of the pipelines such that it protrudes into the pipelines, radiation measuring sensors for underground radiation doses outside the pipelines which are disposed on the outer circumferential portion of the pipelines, a temperature sensor for detecting heat positioned on the outer circumferential portion of the piping and a temperature sensor arranged such as to protrude into the pipelines, strain gauges for detecting strain disposed on the outer circumferential portion of the pipelines, electric measuring sensors positioned on the outer circumferential portion of the pipelines for detecting a potential difference between the pipelines and a contact portion of the pipelines with the earth, and magnetism sensors disposed on the outer circumferential portion of the pipelines.

4. A synthetic danger predicting and disaster preventing monitor system, comprising synthetic sensors attached to both end portions of piping positioned across each of a plurality of specific intervals at required portions of a network of water distributing pipelines to detect signals of abnormality in connection with at least sound, radiation, heat, mechanical strain, potential difference between the piping and a contact portion of each synthetic sensor with the underground earth, electricity, magnetism and vibration, a wireless transmitting means for emitting radio waves to a communications satellite from a wireless data transmitter means through a parabolic antenna fitted to the outer circumferential portion of a manhole cover after the data signals are subjected to A-D conversion, a receiving means for data signals transmitted in the form of radio waves by the communications satellite, a data processing means in which the received data signals are inputted and are analyzed for each specific interval in the pipeline to check for abnormality, and if the data signals are judged to be those of abnormality information, any specific interval producing the signals of abnormality information, a display unit for information of abnormality in which upon receipt of signals from the data processing means, at least the specific interval producing the signals of abnormality information is indicated on a displaying screen of the pipelines including specific intervals located and revealed from a network of water distributing pipelines on a map, a monitoring screen to indicate the position of trouble occurrence, a monitoring screen for indicating particulars of trouble in each pipeline, and a printer means whereby a place and particulars of trouble are located or presumed before disaster results so that a danger can be predicted.

5. The synthetic danger predicting and disaster preventing monitor system according to claim 4, wherein the monitoring screen for indicating the position of trouble occurrence is an automotive navigator mounted on a vehicle together with a receiving means for data signals transmitted by the communications satellite, and a data processing means for analyzing data signals received thereby, and the navigator is arranged to indicate a specific place at which trouble occurs, on a picture of a map displayed thereon, thereby achieving mobile danger control.