Patent ID: 6614354
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: F17D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for monitoring an in-ground pipeline, the method comprising:detecting an occurrence of a contact with an in-ground pipeline via an acoustic sensor employing a first selected detection parameter, the acoustic sensor at a first known location relative to the in-ground pipeline and in contact with the in-ground pipeline, the acoustic sensor transmitting a corresponding first input signal to a processor; detecting the occurrence of the contact with the in-ground pipeline via a second sensor, the second sensor at a second known location relative to the in-ground pipeline, the second sensor employing a second selected detection parameter and transmitting a corresponding second input signal to the processor, wherein the second selected detection parameter is different from the first selected detection parameter and the first and second input signals arrive at the processor at different times and at known respective speeds; and processing the first and second input signals in the processor to determine the point of contact with the in-ground pipeline.