Monitoring pipeline integrity

Abstract

A method of detecting and responding to a threat condition includes receiving, at a sensing module, an input acquired in proximity to a pipeline of a fluid distribution system, the input including data associated with a vibration measurement of the pipeline acquired by a sensor exterior of the pipeline. The method also includes determining whether the input indicates a threat condition by comparing the data to a previously recorded baseline vibration measurement. The method further includes automatically closing a first fluid transmission valve in response to a determined threat condition, thereby restricting flow of fluid through the pipeline in a vicinity of the first fluid transmission valve, and wirelessly transmitting a message for receipt by a control module that is remote from the sensing module, the message including indications of the determined threat condition, the first fluid transmission valve, and an identifier associated with the sensing module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method of detecting and responding to a threat condition, comprising:
 receiving, at a sensing module, an input acquired in proximity to a pipeline of a fluid distribution system through which fluid is flowing, the input comprising data associated with a measurement of a vibration characteristic of the pipeline, wherein the data is acquired by a sensor positioned exterior of the pipeline;   determining whether the input indicates a threat condition for the pipeline by comparing the data to a baseline vibration measurement of the pipeline, the baseline vibration measurement having been previously recorded;   automatically closing a first fluid transmission valve of the pipeline in response to a determined threat condition, thereby restricting flow of the fluid through the pipeline in a vicinity of the first fluid transmission valve; and   wirelessly transmitting a message via an antenna of the sensing module for receipt by a control module of the fluid distribution system that is remote from the sensing module, the message comprising an indication of the determined threat condition, an indication of the first fluid transmission valve, and an identifier associated with the sensing module.