Methods, products, and systems for monitoring and improving pipeline infrastructure
US11774043B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 2020 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2634
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods, products, and systems for monitoring and improving pipeline infrastructure are disclosed. At least one embodiment of the invention comprises a smart-sensing coating, which is applied to one or more interior surfaces of a pipe or pipeline. The coating may comprise a dual-purpose metamaterial, which itself may comprise a plurality of acoustically active and tunable particles that may be embedded in a low-friction, corrosion-resistant, omniphobic polymer matrix. The particles may comprise a multi-layered assembly with a high-density material core, elastic matrix filler, and a stiff outer shell. The particles may further be specifically engineered to form an acoustic band gap at a chosen ultrasound frequency. At this chosen frequency, the particles are very nearly acoustically opaque, preventing the transmission of any and all sound. As such, the position and distribution of the particles inside the pipelines can be clearly distinguished. Additionally, one or more embodiments of the present invention may be referred to as an Intelligent Pipeline System (IPS), which is a monitoring and reporting system for pipelines that uses a remote craft to monitor the interior condition of …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.