Communication method for monitoring pipelines
AssigneeGas Technology Institute
InventorsChristopher John Ziolkowski, James Emerson Huebler, Michael Christian Mensinger, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for underground pipeline monitoring in which a continuous alternating electrical current having a current frequency in a range of about 1 kHZ to about 8 kHz is imparted onto a pipeline, producing an alternating magnetic field at the current frequency along the pipeline. Distributed along the pipeline is a network of RFID tag sensors which absorb an amount of energy from the alternating magnetic field. The impedance of the sensors is modulated, producing a modulated sensor impedance which is detected at a location proximate the location at which the continuous alternating electrical current is imparted onto the pipeline.
Claims24
A method for underground pipeline monitoring comprising the steps of:
- superimposing a continuous alternating electrical current having a current frequency in a range of 1 kHz to 30 kHz onto a generally continuous underground pipeline using an interrogator in electrical contact with the pipeline, producing an alternating magnetic field at said current frequency along said pipeline, wherein the interrogator includes a carrier suppressor and a signal conditioner;
- absorbing an amount of energy from said alternating magnetic field using a network of sensors distributed along said pipeline;
- modulating an impedance of said sensors, producing a modulated sensor impedance;
- detecting said modulated sensor impedance passing through the pipeline with the interrogator from which said continuous alternating electrical current is superimposed onto said pipeline;
- and
- wherein the carrier suppressor and the signal conditioner allow the interrogator to properly decipher information superimposed on said continuous alternating electrical current.
A method for underground pipeline monitoring comprising the steps of:
- providing a continuous alternating electrical current at a current frequency in a range of 1 kHz to 30 kHz to an underground pipeline with an interrogator in electrical contact with the underground pipeline, wherein the interrogator includes a carrier suppressor and a signal conditioner;
- absorbing a portion of said current with a network of sensors distributed along said pipeline, producing a sensor draw current;
- modulating said sensor draw current, producing a modulated sensor current draw;
- detecting said modulated sensor current draw on the underground pipeline using detection means of the interrogator from which said continuous alternating current is provided;
- and
- wherein the carrier suppressor and the signal conditioner allow the interrogator to properly decipher information superimposed on said continuous alternating electrical current.
An underground communication system comprising;
- an underground pipeline;
- an interrogator including an underground alternating electrical current source, a current draw detection means, a carrier suppressor and a signal conditioner;
- the underground alternating electrical current source in electrical contact with said underground pipeline;
- a plurality of underground sensors disposed one of proximate to and in contact with said underground pipeline;
- the current draw detection means for detecting current draw in the underground pipeline by said underground sensor;
- and
- wherein the underground alternating electrical current source superimposes a continuous alternating electrical current onto the pipeline, the current draw detection means detects a reflected impedance of the underground sensors, and the carrier suppressor and the signal conditioner allow the interrogator to properly decipher information superimposed on said continuous alternating electrical current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.