Method for retrieving predetermined locations in sewer and pipeline systems

• US 6,853,200 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V.
• Original Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V.
• Inventors: Munser, Roland, Kuntze, Helge-Björn, Hartrumpf, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): Patidar, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Benson, Walter
• Application Number:
  US10/239,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20030076116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 324/637, 324/648, 324/642, 356/153
• US Class Current: 324/642
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/12 Installations enabling inspection personnel to drive along sewer canals
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/48 Indicating the position of the pig or mole in the pipe or conduit

Abstract

A method for retrieving predetermined locations in sewer and pipeline systems after application or deposition of a layer of material. A carrier vehicle having a microwave sensor emits microwave signals and receives backscattered microwave signals. A first run is conducted inside the sewer or pipeline system before application or deposition of the layer of material. A first temporal signal profile of the backscattered microwave signals is recorded and the sought locations are marked in the first signal profile. After the application or deposition of the layer of material, a second run is conducted. A second temporal signal profile of the backscattered signals is recorded. The current position of the vehicle in the sewer or pipeline system relative to the sought locations is determined by comparison with the first signal profile.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving predetermined locations in sewer and pipeline systems after the application or the deposition of a layer of material, in which a carrier vehicle having a microwave sensor is used which emits microwave signals and receives backscattered microwave signals, characterized by having the following steps:

conduction of a first run inside said sewer respectively said pipeline system with said carrier vehicle before said application or said deposition of said layer of material in which said sought locations are detected by means of an imaging system, with in at least one section of said sewer respectively pipeline system a first temporal signal profile of said backscattered microwave signals being recorded and the sought locations being marked in said first signal profile; and

conduction of a second run with said carrier vehicle after said application or said deposition of said layer of material, with a second temporal signal profile of said backscattered signals being recorded during said run and the current position of said carrier vehicle in said sewer respectively said pipeline system relative to said sought locations being determined by comparison with said first signal profile.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second signal profile include the amplitude and phase of said backscattered microwave signal.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a microwave backscatter sensor is utilized as said microwave sensor.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said microwave signals are amplitude modulated.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein a radar sensor, which preferably runs in FM-CW or pulse radar operation, is utilized as said microwave sensor.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said imaging system is a camera, if required, with an additional light section sensor.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said comparison is carried out using a correlation method.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second temporal signal profile are normed on a path-roll-angle profile of said carrier vehicle respectively of said microwave sensor on said carrier vehicle.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the path is determined from a path-giver signal of said carrier vehicle or via a cable drum connected with it by a cable.