METHOD OF LOCATION AND ESTIMATION OF SIZE OF LEAKAGE IN UNDERGROUND PIPE LINE Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: measurement technology; location of leakage and estimation of its size in underground main pipe lines. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes placing receiver on board of flying vehicle. Then, electromagnetic radiation is excited in pipe line by means of radiator; location of leakage is found by direction finding; SHF electromagnetic radiation is transmitted along pipe line and is received by means of receiver whose bandwidth is equal to range of radiation of transmitter; position and size of leakage are shown by abrupt rise of electromagnetic signal; frequency of electromagnetic radiation is changed by linear law; received electromagnetic radiation is converted by frequency in measuring channel, its phase is doubled, width of spectrum of electromagnetic radiation converted by frequency and its second harmonic are measured and compared; in case of inequality, electromagnetic radiation converted by frequency is multiplied with electromagnetic radiation received in fore direction finding channels, harmonic signals are developed at heterodyne frequency and phase shift is measured between then and heterodyne voltage according to which direction to leakage is determined by phase method in two perpendicular planes; receiving antennae of measuring and direction finding channels are located in form of non-symmetrical geometric cross with receiving antenna of measuring channel in center of intersection. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency and reliability. 5 dwg