Analyzing ultrasonic signals using a dynamic window for an early detection of scaling in water processing equipment

US9164062B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Regents of the University of Colorado, a Body Corporate · US
• BEN GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY · IL

Inventors

• Alan Richard Greenberg · Boulder, US
• Jack Gilron · Beer Sheva, IL
• Keith Cobry · Edinburgh, GB
• Elmira Kujundzic · Erie, US
• Xiao Yun Lu · Longmont, US
• Guy Mizrahi · Beer Sheva, IL
• Michael L. Peterson · Lino Lakes, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 12, 2011
• Grant date: Oct 20, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 9, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2291/2634
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of early detection of scaling on internal surfaces of conduits of water processing equipment, is provided herein. The method includes: transmitting ultrasonic signals through the wall of the conduits; deriving data samples from received ultrasonic signals or reflections thereof; calculating a moving average of the scatter of the ultrasonic signals, over time, based on the data samples; applying a statistical operand to the moving average, to yield a statistical distribution metric; determining a dynamic window defined by: (i) an upper boundary being the moving average plus at least a fraction of the statistical distribution metric and (ii) a lower boundary being the moving average minus the at least a fraction of the statistical distribution metric; generating a trend line being a smooth fitting of the derived samples; and monitoring the trend line within the window to detect a crossover of the trend line at either of the boundaries.