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

Patent · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 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
• 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

/367/73/
acoustic
acoustic transducer
acoustical
apertures
below
converting
coupled
cross-correlation
detected
detecting
diaphragm
directly
electrical
electrical signal
electrical signals
equalize
extending
fluid
fluid pressure
housing
identified
identifying
inserted
installed
leak
leak detecting
leaks
located
locating
location
locations
method
microphone
mounted
opposed
outside
pipe
pipes
plurality
pressure
provided
selected
selected location
signals
sound
transducer
whereby