Pair of Autonomous Micro-Submarines for In-Pipe Leak Detection

1. Pair of Autonomous Micro-Submarines for In-Pipe Leak Detection Dr. Sami El-Ferik, Bilal A. Siddiqui, Dr. Rashed Ben Mansour, Dr. Fouad Al-Sunni {selferik, airbilal}@kfupm.edu.sa Systems Engineering, College of Computer Science and Engineering, KFUPM • Awarded 4th Prize at Ministry of Higher Education Graduate Students’ Conference, 2013. • US Patent approved May, 2013 • Pipeline Leaks in Saudi Arabia • Pipes carry oil, water, chemicals. • Corrosion, damage cause leaks. • Pipes buried underground. • KSA looses 30% of water due to leaks. • Causes millions of Riyals losses annually. Existing Methods • Problems • Devices cause noise which hides leak signal • External energy source. • Wheeled & crawling motion → noise. • Underwater and underground, wireless communication does not work. • Localization underground difficult (No GPS or communication). • Water supply has to be shut down for detecting small leaks. • Sonar/radar • Infrared • Acoustic • Vibration • Metering • In Gauge • Floating • Wheeled • Swimming Our Invention • Advantages • Does not require a significant flow to move. • Can negotiate sharp turn. • Silent operation during detection by turning off propulsion. • Uses smart hubs for communication to base station. • Hubs also used for localization • Flow Energy harvesting • Data and Power exchange through Umbilical Cord Operation