Leak locating microphone, method and system for locating fluid leaks in pipes

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869511

Kupperman, David S ^[1]; Spevak, Lev ^[2]

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1. Oak Park, IL
2. Highland Park, IL

A leak detecting microphone inserted directly into fluid within a pipe includes a housing having a first end being inserted within the pipe and a second opposed end extending outside the pipe. A diaphragm is mounted within the first housing end and an acoustic transducer is coupled to the diaphragm for converting acoustical signals to electrical signals. A plurality of apertures are provided in the housing first end, the apertures located both above and below the diaphragm, whereby to equalize fluid pressure on either side of the diaphragm. A leak locating system and method are provided for locating fluid leaks within a pipe. A first microphone is installed within fluid in the pipe at a first selected location and sound is detected at the first location. A second microphone is installed within fluid in the pipe at a second selected location and sound is detected at the second location. A cross-correlation is identified between the detected sound at the first and second locations for identifying a leak location.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
• Patent Number(s): US 5349568
• OSTI ID: 869511
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

leak
locating
microphone
method
fluid
leaks
pipes
detecting
inserted
directly
pipe
housing
opposed
extending
outside
diaphragm
mounted
acoustic
transducer
coupled
converting
acoustical
signals
electrical
plurality
apertures
provided
located
below
whereby
equalize
pressure
installed
selected
location
sound
detected
cross-correlation
identified
locations
identifying
acoustic transducer
electrical signals
electrical signal
fluid pressure
selected location
leak detecting
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