Void detector for buried pipelines and conduits using acoustic resonance
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
InventorsWilliam F. Kepler, Fred A. Travers
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Abstract
A method and system are provided for detecting a void in backfill material such as soil surrounding a buried conduit such as a pipeline. The void is detected by monitoring an acoustic response from the conduit in response to acoustic excitation of the interior of the conduit. An analysis of changes in the acoustic response is then related to the presence or absence of a void in the backfill material.
Claims20
A method for detecting a void in backfill material around a buried conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing acoustic excitation of an interior portion of the conduit;
- detecting an acoustic frequency response of the conduit resulting from the acoustic excitation;
- comparing the acoustic frequency response to a baseline frequency response range;
- and
- identifying the void in backfill material when the acoustic frequency response lies outside the baseline frequency response range.
A system for detecting voids in backfill material around a buried conduit, said system comprising:
- an acoustic exciter adapted for applying acoustic energy to an interior portion of the conduit;
- an acoustic frequency sensor for detecting a frequency response of the conduit resulting from the acoustic energy;
- and
- a processor for comparing the acoustic frequency response to a baseline frequency response range and for identifying the voids in backfill material as an acoustic frequency response outside the baseline frequency response range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.