Intelligent data acquisition system and method for pipelines
OwnerShuyong Paul Duinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inline robotic detector for inspection of pipelines includes two groups of real time sensors at both front and rear to measure pressures, temperatures, and flows. The robotic detector further includes radial displacement sensors, acoustic sensors and a digital radiographic camera or Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) at the head and front, and a rechargeable power system at the rear. A GPS positioning module and communicator communicate with an intelligent gateway. Real time data is obtained and associated with the geo-position of the robotic detector received from the intelligent gateway.
Claims16
A method of communication with a robotic detector configured for inline inspection of a pipeline, comprising:
- transmitting by the robotic detector a magnetic field signal through the pipeline;
- detecting the magnetic field signal by a companion device external to the pipeline;
- determining location information in response to detecting the magnetic field signal by the companion device, wherein the location information includes geo-data of a physical location of the robotic detector in the pipeline;
- generating by the companion device a message to a gateway, wherein the gateway is coupled to the pipeline and wherein the message includes the location information;
- and
- generating by the gateway a very-low or ultra-low frequency modulated signal in the pipeline, wherein the very-low or ultra-low frequency modulated signal includes the location information of the robotic detector.
A system for inline inspection of a pipeline, comprising:
- a robotic detector configured for traveling in a pipeline, wherein the robotic detector includes a magnetic device that transmits a magnetic field signal in the pipeline;
- and
- a companion device external to the pipeline, wherein the companion device is configured to:
- detect the magnetic field signal generated by the robotic detector in the pipeline;
- determine location information in response to detecting the magnetic field signal;
- and
- continuously travel externally to the pipeline to follow the robotic detector in the pipeline using the magnetic field signal, wherein the companion device is further configured to transmit a message that includes the location information;
- a gateway device configured to receive the location information and generate a very-low or ultra-low frequency modulated signal through the pipeline, wherein the very-low or ultra-low frequency modulated signal includes the location information.
A system for inline inspection of a pipeline, comprising:
- a robotic detector in a pipeline, wherein the robotic detector is configured to:
- detect one or more measurements in the pipeline;
- and
- generate a magnetic field signal in the pipeline;
- a companion device external to the pipeline configured to:
- detect the magnetic field signal generated by the robotic detector in the pipeline;
- track the robotic detector in the pipeline using the magnetic field signal;
- travel externally to the pipeline to track and follow the robotic detector in the pipeline using the magnetic field signal;
- determine geo-data in response to the magnetic field signal;
- and
- generate a message that includes the geo-data;
- a gateway coupled to the pipeline, wherein the gateway is configured to:
- receive the geo-data from the companion device, wherein the geo-data describes a physical location of the robotic detector in the pipeline;
- and
- generate a very-low or ultra-low frequency modulated signal through the pipeline, wherein the very-low or ultra-low frequency modulated signal includes the geo-data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.