New Research on MEMS Acoustic Vector Sensors Used in Pipeline Ground Markers

Abstract

According to the demands of current pipeline detection systems, the above-ground marker (AGM) system based on sound detection principle has been a major development trend in pipeline technology. A novel MEMS acoustic vector sensor for AGM systems which has advantages of high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and good low frequency performance has been put forward. Firstly, it is presented that the frequency of the detected sound signal is concentrated in a lower frequency range, and the sound attenuation is relatively low in soil. Secondly, the MEMS acoustic vector sensor structure and basic principles are introduced. Finally, experimental tests are conducted and the results show that in the range of 0°∼90°, when r = 5 m, the proposed MEMS acoustic vector sensor can effectively detect sound signals in soil. The measurement errors of all angles are less than 5°.

A Comprehensive Review of Micro-Inertial Measurement Unit Based Intelligent PIG Multi-Sensor Fusion Technologies for Small-Diameter Pipeline Surveying

“…In addition, the PIG transmitter and the PIG tracking and locating receiver, which are shown in Figure 4 , are also integrated to track and locate the PIG between the two adjacent PIG tracking and locating receiver mounted along the pipeline [ 55 , 56 ]. In general, the PIG transmitter is mounted on the rear part of the intelligent PIG for accurate tracking and location within the pipeline.…”

High-Sensitivity Real-Time Tracking System for High-Speed Pipeline Inspection Gauge

“…Existing AGM methods utilize acoustic wave, static magnetic field, extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields for PIG localization and tracking, and have been widely practiced in the oil and gas industry [21,22,23,24,25,26,27]. Here, the working principle of the AGM system is shown in Figure 1.…”

“…The acoustic wave method is used to detect the acoustic wave generated by the friction between the PIG and the pipe wall. In [21,22], it is used to improve the tracking precision of the underground PIG, and in [23], a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) acoustic vector sensor is found to have advantages of high sensitivity for detecting low-frequency acoustic signals. However, the acoustic signals generated by the moving PIG are easily cluttered by the environmental acoustic sources, such as moving vehicles, trains and airplanes, and it produces a high number of false alarms.…”

An Improved Azimuth Angle Estimation Method with a Single Acoustic Vector Sensor Based on an Active Sonar Detection System

“…AVS and AVS arrays have been long used for target direction of arrival (DOA) estimation and localization [3,4,5]. Recently, AVS has been implemented in many other engineering applications, such as underwater acoustic communication [6], port and waterway security [7], pipeline protection [8], geo-acoustic inversion problems [9], and sound field analysis [10]. Consequently, research on the AVS signal processing methods is of great engineering and practical significance.…”