Patent ID: 11892113
Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  G | IPC F  G

Claim 7:
8. A method for detecting and healing leaks in pipelines comprising:
(a) flowing a fluid through a pipeline;
(b) placing at least one sensor ball and at least one healing ball inside the pipeline, wherein the sensor ball and healing ball each have at least two openings;
wherein the sensor ball and healing ball each comprise a rotating axle and at least two blades; and
wherein the sensor ball further comprises an acoustic sensor;

(c) flowing the fluid through the openings of the sensor ball and the openings of the healing ball; and
(d) filling the blades of the sensor ball and the blades of the healing ball with fluid to propel the sensor ball and the healing ball through the pipeline.