Monitoring of leakage in wastewater force mains and other pipes carrying fluid under pressure
US7810378B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M3/243
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of detecting leakage in a force main involves placing at least two spaced sensors on the force main. Liquid is pumped through the pipe by means of a pump. The pump is shut down for an interval of time, and during the period following pump shutdown while negative pressure is present in the pipe, signals are generated at the sensors due to noise or vibration resulting from fluid being drawn into the pipe. The position of a leak in the pipe is determined by correlating the leak noise signals generated while the pipe is under negative pressure. Alternatively, the invention can be applied to a pressurized pipe, in which case conditions of negative pressure can be deliberatively created for a period to draw in fluid from the outside.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.