SBIR Phase II: Wireless Acoustic Emission Technology (AET) Sensor System for Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation and In Situ Testing of Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe

这个小企业创新研究二期项目将进一步开发被动声学系统，以无损地对混凝土供水管道进行压力测试。它将定位这些水管中的结构薄弱点，以便进行加固，这样做将避免灾难性破裂的成本和后果。该项目的既定目标包括：(1)增强自主水听器系统--第一阶段开发和演示的AH-3声学测试系统将得到增强，以纳入这些改进，使系统具有商业可行性；(2)管道遇险研究--将与主要管道制造商之一合作，在现场条件下复制混凝土压力水管劣化的特征。这将为管道退化过程提供更深入的了解，并为声学系统的现场测试提供试验场；(3)商业可行性--这项研究有可能极大地延长价值400亿美元的美国供水管道基础设施的使用寿命和可靠性。PTI的收入大幅增长，部分原因是其早期技术的商业接受。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II Project will further develop the passive acoustic system to non-destructively pressure test concrete water pipelines. It will locate points of structural weakness in these water pipes to permit reinforcement, and in so doing it will avoid the costs and consequences of catastrophic ruptures. The established goals of the project include: (1) Autonomous Hydrophone System Enhancement - The AH-3 acoustic test system developed and demonstrated during Phase I will be enhanced to incorporate those improvements that will make the system commercially viable; (2) Pipeline Distress Research - The characteristics of concrete pressure water pipe deterioration will be replicated under field conditions in cooperation with one of the major pipe manufacturers. This will provide greater insight into the process of pipe deterioration as well as providing a proving ground for the field testing of the acoustic system; (3) Commercial Feasibility - The research has the potential to greatly prolong the useful life and reliability of the $40 billion U.S. water pipeline infrastructure. PTI has seen significant growth in revenue fueled in part by commercial acceptance of its early technology.