RU66834U1 - MASKABLE SECURITY SYSTEM FOR UNDERGROUND PIPELINES FROM AN UNAUTHORIZED PIPE - Google Patents

Abstract

The masked system for protecting underground trunk pipelines from unauthorized tapping is designed to detect, register and recognize unauthorized access to underground trunk gas pipelines, oil pipelines and oil product pipelines. The security zone of the system is divided into separate sections (250 ... 500) m long, the detection means of which are connected to the computer of the operator’s workstation with a trunk cable. Vibratory means of detecting the system record attempts to dig through the soil with a hand tool or hardware at the location of the pipeline. Vibration detection tools contain two sensor cables, armored with steel tapes that are located below the surface of the earth, on both sides of the pipeline.

Description

The proposed utility model relates to technical means of protecting trunk pipelines, in particular to systems for protecting underground trunk gas pipelines, oil pipelines and oil product pipelines, and can be used to detect, register and recognize unauthorized access to pipelines.

A well-known technical means of protecting underground oil pipelines is the PipeGuard system of the Israeli company Magal, which contains a set of autonomous sensor modules mounted at a depth of (50 ... 80) cm below the earth's surface (Peace and Security Magazine No. 6 (56 ) November-December 2004. The article "Technologies for perimeter protection: new applications. Publishing Center LLC" Vityaz-M "). Each sensor unit contains 4 geophonic seismic sensors, their signals are processed by a local analyzer, which is also underground. In the same housing as the analyzer, an RF transceiver for alarms and batteries is placed. Geophonic sensors are located along a line perpendicular to the axis of the pipeline. The applied method of coherent signal processing of individual geophones allowed us to provide a sensitivity diagram of the sensor module in the form of two narrow petals oriented along the pipeline line. The length of the sensitive area of the sensor module is up to 150 m in both directions. This allows you to place the sensor blocks at distances of about 300 m from each other. Alarms from a separate module are transmitted over the air to two adjacent

module, and those, in turn, sequentially transmit them further to the nearest regional monitoring and control station, which are located at distances up to 20 km from each other.

The PipeGuard system recognizes seismic signals that are characteristic of attempts to intrude into an underground pipeline - opening the earth with a shovel, hoe, drill rig, etc. The system does not respond to "non-disturbing" factors, such as the movement of people, vehicles, precipitation. The analyzer is trained to recognize real intrusion signals directly at the installation site and allows not only to classify the type of intrusion, but also to determine the probability of coincidence of recorded signals with typical images stored in the data bank of each system.

The PipeGuard system self-testing device uses the source of pulsed acoustic signals that are part of the module, which are recorded by the geophones of this module. Autotesting allows not only monitoring the operability of the sensor module, but also periodically measuring the propagation speed of seismic signals, which largely depends on the soil parameters at the moment (density, temperature, humidity, etc.). Autotesting results are taken into account by the analyzer during signal processing and ensure the reliability of signal recognition and classification, as well as determine the angular coordinate of the invasion point. The PipeGuard Touch Module is powered by specially designed high capacity lithium batteries. The battery life is at least one year.

The Magal geophonic system eliminates the need for cabling and provides localization of intrusion with an acceptable accuracy of 300 m.

Signs of an analogue that match the features of the proposed utility model:

1. Signals that are characteristic of attempts to intrude into an underground pipeline — digging the ground with a shovel, hoe, drill rig, etc., are recognized.

2. The system does not respond to precipitation.

3. Sensitive elements are mounted below the ground.

The disadvantages of this device are:

1. A radio channel is used to transmit alarms, which reduces the reliability of the system under the influence of industrial and radio interference, power lines, thunderstorms, and can lead to a complete failure of the system modules when intruders use radio countermeasures.

2. Alarms are transmitted sequentially, through adjacent modules, which can lead to partial or complete loss of information in the system in case of failure of the equipment of only one electronic unit or autonomous power source, intentional or accidental breakdown of the antenna of the transceiver.

3. The antenna of the transceiver is located above the surface of the earth, which unmasks the electronic unit with the local analyzer and thereby creates ideal conditions for its theft or deliberate failure. In addition, the location of the antenna of the transceiver practically at ground level excludes the possibility of using this system on pipelines located on long swampy spaces, or exposed to flood waters, as well as covered with deep snow.

4. Training of analyzers to recognize real intrusion signals is carried out directly at the place of their installation, which significantly increases the complexity of the work in preparing the system for use, given their large number and location of pipelines in remote, undeveloped regions.

6. Power supply of the sensor modules is carried out from autonomous power sources (lithium batteries), which requires constant monitoring of their condition and their replacement when they fail, or after the expiration date, and accordingly increases the cost of maintaining the system.

Australian company SecurePipe system selected as prototype

Future Fiber Technologies (FFT), consisting of a sensor cable located above the pipeline, at a depth of (30 ... 90) cm underground, an initial module, an end module, a Secure Pipe controller, an industrial computer and a connecting cable (Journal PEACE AND SECURITY ”No. 6 (56) November-December 2004. Article“ Technologies for perimeter protection: new applications. Publishing Center LLC Vityaz-M ”). The sensor cable meets military specifications for “tactical” applications, i.e. for underground installation without additional mechanical protection. The cable is characterized by high strength: permissible short-term tensile loads are from 160 to 480 kg. The width of the sensitive area of the sensor cable is approximately 6 meters.

Under the influence of mechanical vibrations, the sensor cable gives a response in the frequency range from 1 Hz to 1 MHz. For practical purposes, the system uses a band of 200 Hz - 10 kHz.

FFT technology is based on the principle of detecting microstresses in an optical fiber. The sensor cable consists of two sensitive fibers: they are fed by radiation from a semiconductor laser operating in a continuous mode. In the initial module, the radiation is split into two beams, which are fed to both fibers. In the terminal module, interference of both beams occurs, i.e. The optical system is a two-beam interferometer. If both arms of the system are in an unperturbed state, then the interference pattern on the terminal module remains unchanged. During cable deformations or vibrations, the optical path difference in the sensitive fibers (arms of the interferometer) changes, and the terminal module registers the variable component of the signal, passing it to the analyzer. A semiconductor laser with an output power of (12 ... 50) mW operating at a wavelength of 1.31 or 1.55 μm is used as a light source. High radiation power and low losses in the sensor cable allow increasing the length of a separate security zone up to 60 km.

Three active sensory fibers combined in a multicore optical cable are used to determine the site of intrusion. Two fibers are used to detect intrusion by the interferometric method, and the third fiber is used to determine the distance from the beginning of the cable to the point of microdeformation. The accuracy of determining the location of the invasion is ± 150 m.

The SecurePipe system is distinguished by the absence of any electronic equipment, power sources or metal elements throughout the security zone. The operating temperature range of the sensor cables is -55 ° C to + 85 ° C.

The processor of the system, made on the basis of a computer of industrial design and equipped with optoelectronic modules of emitters and photodetectors, is installed in the guard room. The system software allows you to configure sensitivity, analyze alarm events, filter background noise, transmit signals using standard protocols, and configure the system in accordance with the parameters of the protected communication network.

The SecurePipe system detects and recognizes various intrusion attempts: digging the ground with a pick or shovel, crawler or wheeled excavator operation, vertical or horizontal drilling, bullet impact, pipe drilling, etc. The intelligent self-learning controller also allows you to distinguish between dangerous natural influences - floods, deformations and earthquakes, earthquakes, water currents, etc. Under certain conditions, the SecurePipe system can also be used to detect leaks of liquid or gas from the pipeline.

Signs of an analogue that match the features of the proposed utility model:

1. Various attempts at intrusion are detected: opening the earth with a pickaxe or a shovel, the operation of a crawler or wheeled excavator, vertical or horizontal drilling.

2. An analysis of alarm events, filtering of background noise, signal transmission according to standard protocols is provided.

3. The sensor cable is mounted below the ground.

The disadvantage of this prototype device is the low reliability of its operation. The protection zone of this device, which has a large extent, is not divided into separate sections. The sensor cable is the main element of the optical system of this device and its accidental or deliberate breakage anywhere in the protection zone will lead to the failure of the entire device, the length of the protection zone of which can reach 60 km. To repair a single-mode optical fiber cable in the field, in case of breakage, it is technologically very difficult. The use of this device for small security zones is disadvantageous because of the high cost of a processor with software that exceeds $ 100 thousand. The device becomes effective only when the security zone is longer than 30 km, when the unit cost of one meter of the security zone does not exceed $ 10 (Journal SECURITY SYSTEMS ”No. 4 (70) August-September 2006. The article“ Perimeter security systems are the novelties of the 2006 season. ”LLC“ Grotek ”).

The objective of the invention is the creation of a maskable system for protecting underground pipelines from unauthorized tapping, which would eliminate the above drawback.

The technical result obtained by the implementation of the utility model is to increase the reliability of the system.

The problem is solved due to the fact that the SecurePipe system, which contains a sensor cable located underground above the pipeline, a controller and an industrial computer, has the following difference: it is equipped with a second sensor cable, and the sensor cables are located below the surface of the earth above the pipeline, and located on opposite sides of it, and the sensor cable itself is armored with steel tapes.

In addition, the proposed protection system of underground pipelines is characterized in that it is configured to separate it

protection zones for individual sections, the detection means of which are connected to the computer of the automated workstation (AWS) of the system operator with a trunk cable and with a remote power supply device — a power cable.

Between the set of essential features of the claimed object and the achieved technical result there is a causal relationship, namely:

1. The security system is equipped with a second sensor cable, and both sensor cables are located below the surface of the earth above the pipeline, and are located on opposite sides of it. The presence of two sensor cables, and their location on opposite sides of the pipeline, expands the detection area, which makes it possible to detect intrusion attempts when opening the ground not only above the pipeline, but also to the side of it, and also increases the reliability of the system, because in case of accidental or intentional breakage of one sensor cable, the second will continue to function.

2. Sensor cable is armored with steel tapes. Additional mechanical protection of the sensor cable with steel tapes increases the reliability of the vibration detection means, as protects it from accidental breakage during earthwork at the location of the cable.

3. The security system is made with the possibility of dividing its security zone into separate sections, the detection means of which are connected to the computer of the operator’s workstation with a trunk cable and to a remote power supply device — a power cable. Dividing the security zone of the system into separate sections significantly increases the reliability of its operation, as failure of the equipment of one section does not lead to a failure of the entire system, as is the case with the prototype device, where a break in the sensor cable, anywhere, leads to a failure of the system, the length of the protection zone of which can reach 60 km.

The utility model allows you to:

1. Detect attempts of unauthorized access to the underground pipeline during earthwork at the location of the pipeline.

2. Improve the reliability of the system.

The technical nature and principle of operation of the proposed system are illustrated by drawings, which depict:

Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a masked system for protecting underground pipelines from unauthorized tapping.

Figure 2 - connection diagram of the area of the protection zone.

On the structural diagram (Figure 1) of a masked system for protecting underground pipelines from unauthorized tapping, the following notation is given:

1 - section of the protection zone;

2 - pipeline;

3 - vibration detection means;

4 - trunk cable;

5 - power cable;

6 - premises of the central guard post;

7 - AWP of the system operator;

8 - remote power device.

On the connection diagram (Figure 2) of the protection zone section, the following notation is given:

1 - section of the protection zone;

2 - pipeline;

3 - vibration detection means;

4 - trunk cable;

5 - power cable;

9 - terminal couplings;

10 - segments of the sensor cable;

11 - container;

12 - processing unit of the vibration detection means;

13 - peripheral controller;

14 - connecting couplings;

15 - connecting cable;

16 - connecting cables.

The proposed masked system for protecting underground pipelines from unauthorized tapping consists of:

- sections of the protection zone;

- AWP system operator;

- devices of remote power supply.

The above structural elements are made as follows:

1. Each section of protection zone 1 is equipped with vibration detection means 3.

2. Vibration detection means 3 consists of segments of the sensor cable 10, termination couplings 9, couplings 14, processing unit 12, peripheral controller 13 and connecting cables 15 and 16.

The segments of the sensor cable 10 are segments of a telephone cable of twisted pair, with polyethylene insulation, with a screen made of aluminum-polymer tape, armored with steel tapes, with an external protective hose made of polyethylene. The segments of the sensor cable 10 are connected in pairs to the processing unit 12 using connecting cables 16 and form two flanks symmetrically located relative to the installation site of the processing unit 12. The flange pair connection of the segments of the sensor cable 10 to the processing unit 12, symmetrical with respect to the installation location, ensures accuracy determining the place of intrusion to 1/2 the length of the site of the security zone 1, and increases the noise immunity of the vibration detection means 3.

Conductors and shielding conductors of the segments of the sensor cable 10 are shunted at their ends, in the termination 9 couplings, with resistors to ensure control over their health. In the event of a break or short circuit in the segment of the sensor cable 10, the processing unit 12 generates a response signal through the cable connecting 15 to the peripheral controller 13, constantly for the duration of the malfunction.

The detection zone of the vibration detection means 3 is a strip up to 2.0 m wide, along the axis of the pipeline 2, and a length (250 ... 500) m.

As terminal 9 couplings, unified polyethylene couplings for electric communication cables are used. The input of the segment of the sensor cable 10 into the terminal sleeve 9 is carried out through the pipe with which the coupling body is equipped.

The segments of the sensor cable 10, the termination sleeve 9, the connection sleeve 14, and the connection cable 16 are located in the ground, at a depth of (40 ... 50) cm.

The processing unit 12 and the peripheral controller 13 are installed in a container of plastic 11, which is placed in the ground, at a depth of (90 ... 120) cm.

3. The peripheral controller 13 provides the interaction of the vibration detection means 3 sections of the security zone 1 with the automated workstation of the system operator 7. Structurally, the processing unit 12 and the peripheral controller 13 are made in standardized waterproof housing made of high-strength plastic. The housings of the processing unit 12 and the peripheral controller 13 are equipped with valves for checking tightness under excessive pressure (0.5 bar) and contact sensors monitoring the opening of the blocks. The input of the main cable 4, the power cable 5 and the connecting cables 15, 16 into the housing is carried out through sealed cable entries. The DC power supply voltage (10 ... 30) V is supplied to the processing unit 12 from the peripheral controller 13 via a connecting cable 15.

4. Workstation of the system operator 7 is a specialized hardware-software complex based on an industrial computer. Computer power is supplied by

uninterruptible power supply. The computer system unit and uninterruptible power supply are housed in a standard 19-inch hardware rack. The communication of peripheral controllers 13 with the operator’s AWS of system 7 is carried out via the trunk cable 4. The trunk cable 4 is located in the ground, at a depth of (80 ... 90) cm.

5. The power supply to the peripheral controllers 13 is provided from the remote power supply device 8 via the power cable 5. As the remote power supply device 8, a standard 110 V DC power supply is used, which is located in the equipment rack of the operator of the system 7 operator.

Power cable 5 is located in the ground, at a depth of (80 ... 90) cm.

6. Workstation of the system operator 7 and the remote power supply device 8 are located in the premises of the central guard post 6.

The above-described system for protecting underground trunk pipelines from unauthorized tapping is used as follows:

Preparing the system for operation is as follows. An external inspection of the AWP equipment of the system 7 operator and the remote power supply device 8 is carried out for the correctness and reliability of connecting electrical circuits when the power is off. They turn on the system’s power supply and, using the AWS operator of the system 7, remotely monitor the health of the equipment in the areas of protection zone 1. To check the system’s operability, perform control actions on any three sections of protection zone 1, with simulated earthworks near pipeline 2.

Use the system of protection of underground pipelines from unauthorized tapping as follows. Organize round-the-clock duty of shift operators for the AWP of the system operator 7.

When the system equipment is in good working order, a graphic plan of the pipeline 2 route and the current state of the system are displayed on the monitor screen of the AWP of the system 7 operator. In the event of a malfunction of the system equipment on

The monitor screen of the operator system operator 7 system displays a message about the type of equipment and its location.

When you try to open the soil in the area near the pipeline 2 using a hand tool (shovels, hoes, etc.), or using technical means (drilling rig, excavator, etc.), soil vibrations are transmitted to the sensor cable segment 10 vibration detection means 3. Vibration or deformation of the segment of the sensor cable 10 causes the appearance of electrical signals (due to the effect of contact electrification) at its output. The electrical signals coming from the segment of the sensor cable 10 to the processing unit 12 are amplified, filtered and processed by the processing unit 12 so that, in accordance with the distinctive features, the interference is eliminated and the signals triggered by the action of the intruder on the ground are isolated. The processing unit 12 generates a response signal through the cable connecting 15 to the peripheral controller 13, in the form of opening normally closed relay contacts. The response signal of the vibration detection means 3 from the peripheral controller 13 is received through the main cable 4 to the computer of the operator of the system 7.

AWP of the system 7 operator provides the following functions:

- collection, processing and analysis of information received from sections of protection zone 1;

- classification of ongoing alarming and abnormal events;

- sound notification of the system operator about the occurrence of disturbing and abnormal events;

- formation and display on the monitor screen of alarm messages;

- display on the monitor screen text prompts and brief instructions to the operator when changing the operating environment;

- monitoring the performance of system equipment;

- registration of reception / delivery of shifts by duty operators;

- registration of system events and operator control actions;

- storage of information about events and operator actions.

The occurrence of operation signals from the vibration detection means 3 is classified by the computer of the operator of the system 7 operator as an attempt to insert into the pipeline 2. An alarm message appears on the monitor screen of the operator of the operator of the system 7 about the attempt to insert into the pipeline 2, indicating the location of the intrusion, time, and highlighting in red the corresponding section of protection 1 on the graphic plan of the route of the pipeline 2, as well as a brief instruction to the operator.

Information sources:

1. Magazine “PEACE AND SECURITY” No. 6 (56) November-December 2004. Article “Technologies for perimeter protection: new applications”. Publishing Center LLC "Vityaz-M". 129344, Moscow, st. Verkhoyanskaya, 6, building 1. Tel .: 471-34-77, 470-64-31, tel./fax: 471-13-44, e-mail: vitjaz-mib@mtu-net.ru.

2. Magazine "SECURITY SYSTEMS" No. 4 (70) August-September 2006. The article "Security systems of perimeters - the latest in the 2006 season." LLC "Grotek". 123007, Moscow, PO Box 82. Tel .: 609-32-31, fax: 221-08-64, e-mail: groteck @ groteck.ru.

Claims (3)

1. A masked system for protecting underground trunk pipelines from unauthorized tapping, comprising a sensor cable located underground above the pipeline, controllers and an industrial computer, characterized in that it is equipped with a second sensor cable, the sensor cables being located below the surface of the earth above the pipeline, and located on different sides of it. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made with the possibility of dividing its security zone into separate sections, the detection means of which are connected to the computer of the automated workstation of the system operator by a trunk cable and to a remote power supply device — a power cable. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor cable is armored with steel tapes.