Device and method for detecting leaks and healing pipelines using twin balls technology
AssigneeUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette
InventorsAbdennour Seibi, Wadie Chalgham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosed invention provides a device and method to detect leaks in pipelines and heal them instantly using twin ball technology. The device comprises two twin balls of novel construction inserted into the pipeline. The sensor ball receives acoustical data through internal sensors. Once the threshold of the sound level is surpassed, the smart ball will send a signal to the second flowing ball. The second ball will flow towards the leaking outlet and eject a healing fluid to close the leak and prevent further damage. The sensor ball will also alert the user to the size and location of the leak via Wi-Fi monitoring and text messaging. This twin balls technology could be used in pipelines of varying sizes and flow rates.
Claims14
A system for detecting and healing leaks in pipes comprising:
- at least two smart balls, each comprising:
- an outer shell, comprising at least two openings;
- a battery;
- at least two blades;
- a rotating axle;
- a control system;
- and
- a wireless communication mechanism;
- wherein one of the at least two smart balls is a sensor ball;
- and
- wherein one of the at least two smart balls is a healing ball.
A method for detecting and healing leaks in pipelines comprising:
- (a) flowing a fluid through a pipeline;
- (b) placing at least one sensor ball and at least one healing ball inside the pipeline, wherein the sensor ball and healing ball each have at least two openings;
- wherein the sensor ball and healing ball each comprise a rotating axle and at least two blades;
- and
- wherein the sensor ball further comprises an acoustic sensor;
- (c) flowing the fluid through the openings of the sensor ball and the openings of the healing ball;
- and
- (d) filling the blades of the sensor ball and the blades of the healing ball with fluid to propel the sensor ball and the healing ball through the pipeline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.