System for leak detection in pipelines by optical means

摘要

Optical methods and systems for the detection of leakages in fluid transporting pipelines. An exemplary system comprises at least one pair of light transmitter and light sensor positioned at the pipe wall itself. The discontinuity of fluid flow by bubbles and entrained particles resulting from a crack on the pipe wall is reflected in the light rays received by the light sensor. The discontinuity is recorded and converted into an optical signal that is transmitted wirelessly to a processing unit at a receiving station.

主权项

1. A system for leakage detection in a fluid-transporting pipeline, comprising:
at least one pulse light transmitter positioned at a first location on an inner wall of the pipeline; at least one light sensor positioned at a second location on the inner wall of the pipeline and aligned with the light transmitter to detect and receive light rays emitted by the light transmitter; a converter connected to the light sensor to convert light rays received by the light sensor into a digitized optical signal; a wireless transmitter connected to the converter; and, a computerized processing unit that receives the digitized optical signal from the wireless transmitter; wherein interference and scattering of the emitted light rays by bubbles and/or entrained particles resulting from a leakage is detected and received by the light sensor; and, wherein the computerized processing unit processes and analyzes the digitized optical signal to determine the location of the leakage.