Abstract: Tracking vibrations on a pipeline network includes installing multiple vibration recorders on the pipeline network, with each recorder including a sensor, a timer, a processor, and a digital communication device. At each vibration recorder, vibration signals are received from the sensor at programmed times under the control of the processor of the vibration recorders and processed by the processor. The processed vibration signals are communicated from the vibration recorder to a reader device using the digital communication device. Thereafter, the processed vibration signals from the one or more reader devices are collected at a central computer system. Finally, the collected processed vibrations signals are analyzed at the central computer system to determine abnormal vibration patterns and to obtain measures of any leaks present in the pipeline network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mapping vibrations in a pipeline using an in-flow vehicle (“IFV”) are provided. The IFV is propelled through a pipeline, either by fluid flow or by self-propulsion. The IFV includes one or more vibration sensors, a power source, and electronic instrumentation that is programmed to records vibrations present in the fluid periodically as the IFV travels through the pipeline. Processed vibrations are periodically stored in the memory of the vehicle and subsequently transferred to a computer. The processed vibrations are analyzed to determine the location of the vibration energies emanating from any leaks present in the pipeline.

Abstract: Tracking vibrations on a pipeline network includes installing multiple vibration recorders on the pipeline network, with each recorder including a sensor, a timer, a processor, and a digital communication device. At each vibration recorder, vibration signals are received from the sensor at programmed times under the control of the processor of the vibration recorders and processed by the processor. The processed vibration signals are communicated from the vibration recorder to a reader device using the digital communication device. Thereafter, the processed vibration signals from the one or more reader devices are collected at a central computer system. Finally, the collected processed vibrations signals are analyzed at the central computer system to determine abnormal vibration patterns and to obtain measures of any leaks present in the pipeline network.

Abstract: Tracking vibrations on a pipeline network includes installing multiple vibration recorders on the pipeline network, with each recorder including a sensor, a timer, a processor, and a digital communication device. At each vibration recorder, vibration signals are received from the sensor at programmed times under the control of the processor of the vibration recorders and processed by the processor. The processed vibration signals are communicated from the vibration recorder to a reader device using the digital communication device. Thereafter, the processed vibration signals from the one or more reader devices are collected at a central computer system. Finally, the collected processed vibrations signals are analyzed at the central computer system to determine abnormal vibration patterns and to obtain measures of any leaks present in the pipeline network.

Abstract: The invention relates to acoustic detection of leaks in a pipeline using locally-intelligent, data-adaptive monitors deployed for a period of time. Monitors are initialized by a base station. Following deployment, monitors receive vibration signals at programmed times, process the vibration signals to detect and characterize abnormal vibrations, and save the processed data in the monitor. Monitors may communicate digitally with a base station, sending processed data and receiving instructions. Alternatively, monitors may be removed from the pipeline and placed in a docking station prior to initialization and subsequent re-deployment on a pipeline. A procedural step of re-synchronization corrects for any mis-alignments in time that may occur among received vibration signals from different monitors. Received vibration signals from two or more monitors may then be analyzed using a correlative method to localize the position of any leaks present in the pipeline.

Abstract: The invention relates to detecting leaks in a pipeline using enhanced methods of data sensing, digitally encoded transmission, and cross-correlation. A plurality of acoustic sensors are applied to the pipeline to sense a combination of signals from the leak and much greater quantities of noise. The sensed data is digitized at the sensor, encoded and digitally transmitted to a computerized base station. The encoded data from a plurality of sensors received at the base station is decoded, digitally filtered and cross-correlated. Enhanced methods of cross-correlation are performed to estimate the likely presence of a leak and the location and size of any leaks present. Participation in the leak detection procedure by an expert not present at the pipeline is facilitated by communication of data between the base station and a distant supervisory station.