Pipeline marker with flux concentrator

• US 9,182,374 B1
• Filed: 01/21/2013
• Issued: 11/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pure Technologies Limited (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pure Technologies Limited (Xylem, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hoyt, Philip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ledynh, Bot
• Application Number:
  US13/746,196
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 324/326, 324/332
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/092 by detecting magnetic anomalies
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/82 for investigating the presence of flaws
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Abstract

Defects in a pipeline may be detected by an in-line inspection tool passing therethrough. However, as the tool travels through the pipeline, errors associated with certain onboard components may accumulate. These errors may reduce the accuracy with which the locations of detected defects can be determined. Accordingly, markers may be positioned at various locations along the pipeline. Each marker may include a radio receiver to receive signal transmitted by an in-line tool passing thereby and one or more magnetic flux detection systems that may detect a magnetic field emanating from the in-line tool. The radio receiver may include an antenna comprising two or more coils connected in series and positioned side-by-side. The flux detection system may include one or more flux concentrators to amplify the strength of the magnetic field. Signals received through the antenna or flux detection system may be used to correct any errors associated with the onboard components charting the progression of the in-line tool through the pipeline.

Claims

1. A pipeline marker comprising:

a power source;

a computer system electrically connected to the power source and comprising a processor and at least one memory device operably connected to the processor;

first and second flux detection systems, each comprising a magnetic flux sensor, a first flux concentrator positioned on a first side of the magnetic flux sensor, and a second flux concentrator positioned on a second, opposite side of the magnetic flux sensor;

the first flux detection system, wherein the first flux concentrator thereof is formed of magnetically permeable material shaped and positioned to receive magnetic flux at a first magnetic flux density and deliver the magnetic flux to the magnetic flux sensor corresponding thereto at a second magnetic flux density that is greater than the first magnetic flux density;

the first flux detection system rotated in orientation with respect to the second flux detection system;

the computer system programmed to record signal output by the magnetic flux sensor of the first flux detection system and signal output by the magnetic flux sensor of the second flux detection system; and

a housing containing the power source, the computer system, and the first and second flux detection systems.

2. The pipeline marker of claim 1, wherein the first and second flux concentrators of both the first and second flux detection systems are formed of magnetically permeable material.

3. The pipeline marker of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second flux concentrators of both the first and second flux detection systems has a proximal edge and a distal edge, the distal edge being longer than the proximal edge.

4. The pipeline marker of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second flux concentrators of both the first and second flux detection systems tapers as it extends from the distal edge to the proximal edge.

5. The pipeline marker of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second flux concentrators of both the first and second flux detection systems is positioned with respect to the magnetic flux sensor corresponding thereto such that the proximal edge thereof is positioned directly adjacent the magnetic flux sensor corresponding thereto.

6. The pipeline marker of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second flux concentrators of both the first and second flux detection systems curves as it extends from the distal edge thereof to the proximal edge thereof.

7. The pipeline marker of claim 6, wherein the first flux detection system is rotated ninety degrees in orientation with respect to the second flux detection system.

8. The pipeline marker of claim 1, wherein the first flux detection system is rotated ninety degrees in orientation with respect to the second flux detection system.

9. A method comprising:

inserting within a pipeline an in-line tool generating a magnetic flux field;

positioning a marker at a location external to and proximate the pipeline, the marker comprising

a power source,

a computer system electrically connected to the power source and comprising a processor and at least one memory device operable connected to the processor,

a flux detection system comprising a magnetic flux sensor, a first flux concentrator positioned on a first side of the magnetic flux sensor, and a second flux concentrator positioned on a second, opposite side of the magnetic flux sensor, and

the computer system programmed to record signals output by the magnetic flux sensor; and

detecting, by the marker, the presence of the in-line tool as it passes the location.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the first and second flux concentrators are formed of magnetically permeable material;

each of the first and second flux concentrators has a proximal edge and a distal edge, the distal edge being longer than the proximal edge; and

each of the first and second flux concentrators is positioned with respect to the magnetic flux sensor such that the proximal edge is positioned directly adjacent the magnetic flux sensor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second flux concentrators tapers as it extends from the distal edge to the proximal edge.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second flux concentrators curves as it extends from the distal edge to the proximal edge.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the first flux concentrator receives the magnetic flux field from ambient air at a first magnetic flux density and delivers the magnetic flux to the magnetic flux sensor at a second magnetic flux density that is greater than the first magnetic flux density.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second flux concentrator receives the magnetic flux field from the magnetic flux sensor at a third magnetic flux density and delivers the magnetic flux field to the ambient air at a fourth magnetic flux density that is less than the third magnetic flux density.

15. A method comprising:

positioning a device at a location external to and proximate a pipeline, the device comprising

a power source,

a computer system electrically connected to the power source and comprising a processor and memory operable connected to the processor,

a first flux detection system comprising a first magnetic flux sensor, a first flux concentrator positioned on a first side of the first magnetic flux sensor, and a second flux concentrator positioned on a second, opposite side of the first magnetic flux sensor, and

a housing enclosing the power source, the computer system, and the first flux detection system;

receiving, by the first flux concentrator at a first magnetic flux density, magnetic flux originating from a tool traveling within the pipeline;

delivering, by the first flux concentrator, the magnetic flux to the first magnetic flux sensor at a second magnetic flux density that is greater than the first magnetic flux density; and

recording, by the computer system during the delivering, signal output by the first magnetic flux sensor.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving, by the second flux concentrator at a third magnetic flux density, magnetic flux from the first magnetic flux sensor; and

delivering, by the second flux concentrator, the magnetic flux to ambient air at a fourth magnetic flux density that is less than the third magnetic flux density.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the tool comprises a pipeline inspection tool.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the device further includes a second flux detection system comprising:

a second magnetic flux sensor;

a third flux concentrator positioned on a first side of the second magnetic flux sensor; and

a third flux concentrator positioned on a second, opposite side of the second magnetic flux sensor.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first flux detection system is rotated in orientation with respect to the second flux detection system.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first flux detection system is rotated ninety degrees in orientation with respect to the second flux detection system.