Method for locating and inspecting underground or other non-visible non-electrically conductive pipes
First Claim
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1. A method for locating a non-electrically conductive pipe or a leak therein, comprising:
- introducing a flowable electrolyte into the pipe;
causing a time-varying electrical signal to propagate through said electrolyte;
detecting a resulting electromagnetic field at a plurality of locations outside the pipe; and
comparing the relative strength of said electromagnetic field at said locations for locating the pipe or leak therein.
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Abstract
A method for locating and inspecting underground or other nonvisible, non-electrically conductive pipes. An electrolyte is introduced into the pipe and a time varying electrical signal is applied to the fluid as in a standard prior art method for locating underground pipes, wherein proximity to the pipe is determined by assessing the strength of the electromagnetic field produced thereby. The method also provides for detecting leaks by introducing the electrolyte relatively slowly, to ensure that a pool of the electrolyte accumulates outside the pipe adjacent the leak.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for locating a non-electrically conductive pipe or a leak therein, comprising:
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introducing a flowable electrolyte into the pipe;
causing a time-varying electrical signal to propagate through said electrolyte;
detecting a resulting electromagnetic field at a plurality of locations outside the pipe; and
comparing the relative strength of said electromagnetic field at said locations for locating the pipe or leak therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification