IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,425,683
Granted Patent B2
US 8,425,683 · App. 12/719,350 · Granted Apr 23, 2013

Method for tracking a scraper within a pipeline

Inventors: Bao-Wen Yang (Closter, NJ); Eric Yang (Closter, NJ); Marion Recane (Cypress, TX); Stephanie H. Yang (Closter, NJ)
Assignees: Acoustic Systems, Inc.; Acoustic Systems, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,425,683
App. No.
12/719,350
Granted
Apr 23, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for tracking a scraper within a pipeline has the steps of moving the scraper along a path in the pipeline such that the scraper produces an acoustic signal, sensing the acoustic signal as produced by the scraper by at least a pair of acoustic sensors positioned in spaced relation along the pipeline, time-stamping the sensed acoustic signal, and calculating a location of the scraper based on the time-stamped acoustic signal. The acoustic signal can be a transient pressure wave produced by the movement of the scraper or a pressure signal produced by a mechanism positioned on the scraper.

Claims (7)

1. A method for tracking a scraper within a pipeline comprising the steps of:

moving the scraper along a path in the pipeline such that said scraper produces an acoustic signal;

sensing the acoustic signal produced by the scraper by at least a pair of acoustic sensors positioned in spaced relation along the pipeline;

time-stamping the sensed acoustic signal; and

calculating a location of the scraper based on the time-stamped sensed acoustic signal.

2. The method of claim 1 , said acoustic signal being a transient pressure wave produced by the movement of the scraper.

3. The method of claim 1 , said acoustic signal being a pressure signal produced by a mechanism positioned on said scraper.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2010
From: YANG, BAO-WEN; YANG, ERIC; RECANE, MARION; YANG, STEPHANIE H.
To: ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS, INC., A CORPORATION OF TEXAS; ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK
Reel/Frame 024058/0038 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61261898 · Nov 17, 2009
Related Publication 20110114119A1 · May 19, 2011