Laser interferometry detection method/apparatus for buried structure
US4172382A · kind A · utility
23Cited by
2References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 1978 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/0422
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to the utilization of laser interferometry for performing detection of buried structures such as underground natural gas pipeline. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of a laser interferometer system for detecting leaks and similar defects, such as corrosion, in buried pipelines, pressurized containers or other metallic structures, based upon the sensing of subnanometer earth surface displacements produced by elastic waves which are emanated from the leak or defect and propagate in the surrounding earth medium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.