基于声传感器阵列的连续泄漏定位方法研究

Leakage location method based on an ultrasonic sensor array

针对压力容器(如在轨航天器)发生泄漏时的漏孔定位问题进行研究,提出了一种基于声传感器阵列的定位方法。当已发生泄漏时,该方法通过声传感器阵列获取器壁中传播的超声波信号,并分析阵列中各个传感器采集数据间的时空相关性,实现了对泄漏源的快速准确定位。分析了泄漏所激发的超声波信号在薄板中的传播特性,证明了采集信号相关性随采集点间距离的增大而减小,从而指导传感器阵列的设计与制作,同时通过设计相应的实验讨论了不同阵元间距条件下的定位精度。实验结果表明定位误差受阵列中阵元数目及阵元间间距影响,当阵元数目为8,阵元间距为8 mm情况下,本算法在1 m^2的平板上,定位绝对误差平均值小于10 mm。

Based on an ultrasonic sensor array, a method for leakage location of pressure containers （ such as spacecraft） was proposed. When the leaking happens, the method could accomplish the fast and accurate location of leakage source through acquiring a set of ultrasonic signals on the wall of container by using an ultrasonic sensor array, and analyzing the time-space correlation among all the data collected by each sensor in the array. Moreover, the propagation characteristics of leakage signals in a thin plate were analysed. It proves that the correlation between the collected signals will decrease as the distances between the collection points increase, which provides a reference to the design of sensor arrays. Meanwhile, the related experiments were designed to discuss the location accuracy of different sensor arrays with different distances between the sensors in the array. According to the experimental results, the location error is influenced by the number of sensors and the distances between them in the array. When the number of sensors in the array is eight, and the distances between them are 8 mm, the mean value of the absolute location error is less than 10 mm on a one square meter plate.