Infrastructure corrosion analysis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9683924-B2
Application number	US-201213464729-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 4, 2012
Priority date	May 4, 2011
Publication date	Jun 20, 2017
Grant date	Jun 20, 2017

Abstract

The disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatus for analyzing an infrastructure system including measurement of a parameter associated with the infrastructure system, electronically recording the measured parameter as a data, transferring the data to an infrastructure unit which may be remote from the infrastructure system, analyzing the data to generate a risk model, and predicting a characteristic of the infrastructure system according to the risk. An implementation plan may be generated, and/or maintenance services may be performed as per the characteristic that is predicted.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pipeline analysis system, comprising:
a remote pipeline infrastructure comprising:
a corrodible pipeline configured to transport fluids;

a plurality of data collection tools configured to collect data from the remote pipeline infrastructure wherein the plurality of data collection tools comprises a camera, a GPS device, a surveying device, a soil tester, a tool for measuring an electrochemical potential of a structure, a tool for measuring corrosion of metal, a pit depth measuring device, a coating measurement device, a soil acidity measuring tool, a soil oxidation-reduction measuring tool, a soil resistivity measuring tool, a caliper, a water pH tester; a nondestructive examination of a structure; and a means for transducing a visual inspection;
a pipeline infrastructure unit configured to receive data from the data collection tools;
wherein the pipeline infrastructure unit comprises:
a data collection unit configured to receive data regarding the remote pipeline infrastructure from the data collection tools;
a risk analysis unit configured to evaluate a corrosion condition of the corrodible pipeline based on the received data;
a predictive analysis unit responsive to the data collection unit and the risk analysis unit configured to generate a corrosion report detailing actual corrosion, a likelihood of a current pipeline leak and a probability of future corrosion;
a mitigation unit configured to determine a type of mitigation work to be performed on the corrodible pipeline; and
an implementation unit configured to assess the relative risk to the remote pipeline infrastructure and create and execute an implementation plan for remediation of the remote pipeline infrastructure.

2. The pipeline analysis system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data collection tools additionally comprises a pig.

3. The pipeline analysis system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data collection tools further comprises a scanner, an acoustic tool, a pressure monitor, and a flow meter.

4. The pipeline analysis system according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of electronically storing all the received data gathered from the remote pipeline infrastructure for accessing and manipulating the received data at a future point in time.

5. The pipeline analysis system according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of inputting the received data associated with the remote pipeline infrastructure into a computer located at the remote pipeline infrastructure.

6. A pipeline analysis system, comprising:
a remote pipeline infrastructure comprising:
a corrodible pipeline configured to transport fluids;

a plurality of data collection tools configured to collect data from the remote pipeline infrastructure wherein the plurality of data collection tools comprises a camera, a GPS device, a surveying device, a soil tester, a tool for measuring an electrochemical potential of a structure, a tool for measuring corrosion of metal, a pit depth measuring device, a coating measurement device, a soil acidity measuring tool, a soil oxidation-reduction measuring tool, a soil resistivity measuring tool, a caliper, a water pH tester, a nondestructive examination of a structure; and a means for transducing a visual inspection;
a pipeline infrastructure unit configured to receive data from the data collection tools;
wherein the pipeline infrastructure unit comprises:
a data collection unit configured to receive data regarding the remote pipeline infrastructure from the data collection tools;
a risk analysis unit configured to evaluate a corrosion condition of the corrodible pipeline based on the received data;
a predictive analysis unit responsive to the data collection unit and the risk analysis unit configured to generate a corrosion report detailing actual corrosion, a likelihood of a current pipeline leak and a probability of future corrosion;
a mitigation unit configured to determine a type of mitigation work to be performed on the corrodible pipeline; and
an implementation unit configured to assess the relative risk to the remote pipeline infrastructure and create an implementation plan for remediation of the remote pipeline infrastructure; and

further comprising the step of executing the implementation plan for repairing the corrodible pipeline of the remote pipeline infrastructure.

Assignees

• Gluskin Mark A
• Garrity Kevin C
• Warner Christopher M
• Eastman Alan
• Reiboldt Mark
• Quanta Associates Lp

Inventors

• Gluskin Mark A
• Garrity Kevin C
• Warner Christopher M
• Eastman Alan
• Reiboldt Mark

Classifications

• G01N17/00 Primary

  Investigating resistance of materials to the weather, to corrosion, or to light · CPC title

• F17D5/00

  Protection or supervision of installations (arrangements for protecting foundations E02D31/00; protecting pipes from damage or internal or external wear F16L57/00, against corrosion and scale F16L58/00; investigation of the fluid-tightness of structures G01M3/00) · CPC title

• Y04S10/50

  Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications · CPC title

• F17D3/01 Primary

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

• F17D5/06

  using electric or acoustic means · CPC title