Pipe damage detection apparatus and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9488567-B2
Application number	US-201214373115-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 20, 2012
Priority date	Jan 20, 2012
Publication date	Nov 8, 2016
Grant date	Nov 8, 2016

Abstract

A pipe damage detection apparatus and method are disclosed. The pipe damage detection apparatus includes an ultrasonic supply unit configured to supply an ultrasonic signal to a pipe; an ultrasonic reception unit configured to receive the ultrasonic signal of the pipe; and an analysis unit configured to analyze the ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic reception unit, and determine whether the pipe is damaged. The pipe damage detection apparatus and method can detect whether a pipe that is difficult for an inspector to access because it is coated with an insulating material or buried in the ground is damaged.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A pipe damage detection apparatus, comprising:
an ultrasonic supply unit configured to supply an ultrasonic signal to a pipe;
an ultrasonic reception unit configured to receive the ultrasonic signal of the pipe; and
an analysis unit configured to analyze the ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic reception unit, and determine whether the pipe is damaged;
wherein the ultrasonic supply unit comprises:
a generation unit configured to generate a laser beam,
a supply unit including one end which is connected to the generation unit, and configured to supply the laser beam, and
a guide unit connected to the other end of the supply unit, mounted on the pipe, and configured to guide the laser beam to the pipe;

wherein the guide unit comprises:
a guide pipe connected to the supply unit, in contact with the pipe, and configured to guide the laser beam,
a guide lens built in the guide pipe, and configured to adjust focus of the laser beam,
a guide plate coupled with the guide pipe, formed to protrude in a lateral direction, and in contact with the pipe, and
a guide belt formed to cover the guide plate and the pipe, and formed so that the guide plate is coupled with the pipe.

2. The pipe damage detection unit of claim 1 , wherein the supply unit is an optical fiber.

3. The pipe damage detection unit of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic reception unit comprises:
a light source unit configured to generate a laser beam;
a transfer unit connected to the light source unit, and configured to transfer the laser beam;
a detection unit connected to the transfer unit, mounted on the pipe, and configured to detect the laser beam; and
a reception unit connected to the transfer unit, and configured to receive the laser beam and transfer information regarding the ultrasonic signal to the analysis unit.

4. The pipe damage detection unit of claim 3 , wherein the detection unit comprises:
a detection pipe connected to the transfer unit, in contact with the pipe, and configured to guide the laser beam;
a detection lens built in the detection pipe, and configured to adjust focus of the laser beam;
a detection filter built in the detection pipe, and configured to block infrared radiant heat coming from the pipe;
a detection plate coupled with the detection pipe, formed to protrude in a lateral direction, and in contact with the pipe; and
a detection belt formed to cover the detection plate and the pipe, and formed so that the detection plate is coupled with the pipe.

5. The pipe damage detection unit of claim 3 , wherein the transfer unit is an optical fiber.

6. A pipe damage detection method, comprising:
supplying, by an ultrasonic supply unit, an ultrasonic signal to a pipe;
receiving, by an ultrasonic reception unit, the ultrasonic signal of the pipe; and
analyzing, by an analysis unit, the ultrasonic signal, and determining whether the pipe is damaged;
wherein the ultrasonic supply unit changes a guide point along a circumferential surface of the pipe, and the ultrasonic reception unit changes a detection point along the circumferential surface of the pipe;
wherein the determining, by the analysis unit, of whether the pipe is damaged, comprises:
calculating a damage index, and
analyzing an outlier based on the damage index,
wherein the damage index is obtained by following equations

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Assignees

• Sohn Hoon
• Lee Hyeon Seok
• Yang Jin Yeol
• Korea Advanced Inst Sci & Tech

Inventors

• Sohn Hoon
• Lee Hyeon Seok
• Yang Jin Yeol

Classifications

• G01N29/34

  Generating the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves {, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor} · CPC title

• G01N2201/067

  Electro-optic, magneto-optic, acousto-optic elements · CPC title

• G01N29/041 Primary

  on the surface of the material, e.g. using Lamb, Rayleigh or shear waves · CPC title

• G01N29/04 Primary

  Analysing solids (using acoustic emission techniques G01N29/14) · CPC title

• G01N2201/08

  Optical fibres; light guides · CPC title