Leak Detection User Interfaces

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018094775-A1
Application number	US-201715720789-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 29, 2017
Priority date	Sep 30, 2016
Publication date	Apr 5, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Leak detection user interfaces are provided. In general, a user interface for a pipeline management system can be configured to provide information regarding one or more pipelines to a user. The information can include data gathered using one or more sensors sensing various parameters. The information on the user interface can include results of analysis of the gathered data, such as notifications that the gathered data indicates an anomaly with a pipeline. The notifications of anomalies can be provided on the user interface in real time with the data analysis. Accordingly, the user can trigger one or more corrective actions such as notifying maintenance personnel local to a location of the identified anomaly, remotely controlling the pipeline with the anomaly to close valve(s) and/or other equipment to prevent fluid flow in the pipeline in the area of the detected anomaly, etc.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A detection system, comprising:
a memory storing instructions; a display configured to show a user interface thereon; and a processor configured to execute the instructions in the memory and thereby
receive data indicative of one or more parameters sensed at a pipeline, and
analyze the data to determine whether an anomaly is present at the pipeline, and in response to determining that the anomaly is present, cause a notification to be presented on the user interface indicating that the anomaly is present.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the anomaly includes one or more of a leak in the pipeline, an intrusion, strain, an acoustic event, and a rapid temperature change

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the pipeline is a single pipeline.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the pipeline includes multiple pipelines.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the notification is coded to uniquely identify to a user of the user interface which one of the pipelines has the determined anomaly.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the notification is coded to uniquely identify to a user of the user interface the type of anomaly detected, and the type of anomaly includes one of a leak, an intrusion, strain, an acoustic event, and a rapid temperature change.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid in the pipeline includes one of natural gas and petroleum.

8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a client terminal that includes the display, wherein the client terminal includes one of a desktop computer, a workstation, a minicomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a smart mobile phone.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions in the memory and thereby receive an acknowledgement of the notification from a user of the user interface and, in response to the receipt of the acknowledgement, cause detailed information regarding the anomaly to be shown on the user interface; and
wherein the detailed information includes one or more of a map showing a geographic location of the anomaly, audio at a location of the anomaly, a history of previously detected anomalies at the pipeline, identity of equipment along the pipeline adjacent to a location of the anomaly, and sensed parameter data for a period of time prior to a time of the anomaly's occurrence.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensed parameter data includes at least one of acoustic data, temperature data, frequency data, strain data, and fluid flow rate data.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions in the memory and thereby receive an input from a user operating the user interface, the input requesting a corrective action be performed to address the anomaly that is determined to be present.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the corrective action includes at least one of notifying maintenance personnel remotely located from the user and located locally to the pipeline of the anomaly, and an instruction to cause remote adjustment of at least one device operatively coupled to the pipeline.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one device includes at least one valve.

14 . A detection system, comprising:
a memory storing instructions; a display configured to show a user interface thereon to a user; and a processor configured to execute the instructions in the memory and thereby
receive data indicative of one or more parameters sensed at a pipeline,
analyze the data to determine whether an anomaly is present at the pipeline,
cause a notification to be presented on the user interface indicating that the anomaly is present, wherein the notification is a call field technician notification, and
receive a request from the user for a corrective action be performed to address the anomaly that is determined to be present, wherein the corrective action includes notifying maintenance personnel located remotely from the user and located locally to the pipeline of the anomaly.

15 . A detection method, comprising:
receiving at a processor, data indicative of one or more parameters sensed at a pipeline with one or more sensors; and analyzing the data with the processor to determine whether an anomaly is present at the pipeline, and in response to determining that the anomaly is present, causing a notification to be presented on a user interface indicating that the anomaly is present.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the anomaly includes one or more of a leak in the pipeline, an intrusion, strain, an acoustic event, and a rapid temperature change

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the notification is coded to uniquely identify to a user of the user interface the type of anomaly detected, and the type of anomaly includes one of a leak, an intrusion, strain, an acoustic event, and a rapid temperature change.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the user interface is displayed on a display of a client terminal, and the client terminal includes one of a desktop computer, a workstation, a minicomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a smart mobile phone.

19 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising receiving at the processor an acknowledgement of the notification from a user of the user interface and, in response to the receipt of the acknowledgement, causing detailed information regarding the anomaly to be shown on the user interface;
wherein the detailed information includes one or more of a map showing a geographic location of the anomaly, audio at a location of the anomaly, a history of previously detected anomalies at the pipeline, identity of equipment along the pipeline adjacent to a location of the anomaly, and sensed parameter data for a period of time prior to a time of the anomaly's occurrence; and wherein the sensed parameter data includes at least one of acoustic data, temperature data, frequency data, strain data, and fluid flow rate data.

20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising receiving at the processor an input from a user operating the user interface, the input requesting a corrective action be performed to address the anomaly that is determined to be present, and the corrective action includes at least one of notifying maintenance personnel remotely located from the user and located locally to the pipeline of the anomaly, and an instruction to cause remote adjustment of at least one device operatively coupled to the pipeline.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Jacobson Bruce J
• Mccormack Ryan
• Ganeshalingam Gandeephan
• Gillham Trent
• Palomino Mauricio
• Koste Glen
• Jalilian Ehsan

Classifications

• F17D3/01

  for controlling, signalling, or supervising the conveyance of a product · CPC title

• F17D5/06 Primary

  using electric or acoustic means · CPC title

• G06Q10/20

  Administration of product repair or maintenance · CPC title

• F17D5/005

  of gas pipelines, e.g. alarm · CPC title

• G08B21/18

  Status alarms (G08B21/02 takes precedence) · CPC title