US3667285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak detection system
Assignee: CUSTOMLINE CONTROL PRODUCTS
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Filing: 1970-08-18
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for detecting relatively small leaks in partially inaccessible pipelines having high throughputs. To detect the leaks information from a flow meter and pressure and temperature transducers at each end of the pipeline are fed over telephone lines to a central computation facility. At the computation center the temperature and pressure information is employed along with information stored in the computer to generate set points for a pair of counters. The computer then gates the outputs from the flow meters into the counters over an interval until both of the counters reach their set points. The computer than examines the numbers in the two counters to perform logical operations to determine if in fact, the pipeline is leaking. If a confirmed leak is detected a shut down procedure may be instituted.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward L Wright
- 👤 Eugene T Meseck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:15
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D5/00; F17D5/02; F17D5/06; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for monitoring a predetermined ratio of values of a property under test; said system including: first and second devices for providing first and second digital output signals respectively having pulse repetition rates dependent upon the derivative of said property and a physical condition, changes in said physical condition having a known effect on said repetition rates, said first and second devices having known errors; means for measuring said physical condition at said first device to provide a first correction signal; means for measuring said physical condition at said second device to provide a second correction signal; means responsive to said first and second correction signals for generating a corrected ratio signal indicative of said predetermined ratio of said values of said property; first accumulating means for accumulating said first digital output signal over an interval to provide a first accumulative signal; second accumulating means for accumulating said second digital output signal over said interval to provide a second accumulative signal; and means responsive to said corrected ratio signal and said known errors for determining said interval.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for monitoring a predetermined ratio of values of a property under test; said system including: first and second devices for providing first and second digital output signals respectively having pulse repetition rates dependent upon the derivative of said property and a physical condition, changes in said physical condition having a known effect on said repetition rates, said first and second devices having known errors; means for measuring said physical condition at said first device to provide a first correction signal; means for measuring said physical condition at said second device to provide a second correction signal; means responsive to said first and second correction signals for generating a corrected ratio signal indicative of said predetermined ratio of said values of said property; first accumulating means for accumulating said first digital output signal over an interval to provide a first accumulative signal; second accumulating means for accumulating said second digital output signal over said interval to provide a second accumulative signal; and means responsive to said corrected ratio signal and said known errors for determining said interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as defined in claim 1 in which said interval determining means includes: means responsive to both said first and second accumulated signals exceeding first and second values respectively for terminating said interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system as defined in claim 2 also including: means operative at the termination of said interval for sensing said first and second accumulated signals; and means for comparing said first and second accumulated signals with said first and second values respectively for providing a leak indication signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as defined in claim 2 in which said first and second devices are flow meters, said property is volume of fluid and said physical condition is temperature of said fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system as defined in claim 4 also including: means for measuring the pressure of said fluid at said first flow meter; means for measuring the pressure of said fluid at said second flow meter; and said corrected ratio signal generating means is also responsive to said first and second pressure measuring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as defined in claim 5 also including: a pipeline; and said first and second meters respectively are connected to measure flow in and out of said pipeline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined in claim 6 also including: a first communications channel; and said first digital signal is transmitted on said first communications channel to said first accumulating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined in claim 7 also including: a second communication channel; and said second digital signal is transmitted over said second communications channel to said second accumulating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system as defined in claim 8 also including: means operative at the termination of said interval for sensing said first and second accumulated signals; and means for comparing said first and second accumulated signals with said first and second values respectively for providing a leak indication signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a method of operating a system for monitoring a predetermined ratio of values of a property under test; said system including: first and second devices for providing first and second digital output signals respectively having pulse repetition rates dependent upon the derivative of said property and a physical condition, changes in said physical condition having a known effect on said repetition rates, said first and second devices having known errors: means for measuring said physical condition at said first device to provide a first correction signal; means for measuring said physical condition at said second device to provide a second correction signal; means responsive to said first and second correction signals for generating a corrected ratio signal indicative of said predetermined ratio of said values of said property; first accumulating means for accumulating said first digital output signal over an interval to provide a first accumulative signal; second accumulating means for accumulating said second digital output signal over said interval to provide a second accumulative signal; means responsive to said corrected ratio signal and said known errors for determining said interval; said interval determining means including: means responsive to both said first and second accumulated signals exceeding first and second values respectively for terminating said interval; said method including the steps of: sensing said first and second accumulated signals at the end of said interval; and comparing said first and second accumulated signals with said first and second values respectively for providing a leak indication signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a method of operating a system for monitoring a predetermined ratio of values of a property under test; said system including: first and second devices for providing first and second digital output signals respectively having pulse repetition rates dependent upon the derivative of said property and a physical condition, changes in said physical condition having a known effect on said repetition rates, said first and second devices having known errors: means for measuring said physical condition at said first device to provide a first correction signal; means for measuring said physical condition at said second device to provide a second correction signal; means responsive to said first and second correction signals for generating a corrected ratio signal indicative of said predetermined ratio of said values of said property; first accumulating means for accumulating said first digital output signal over an interval to provide a first accumulative signal; second accumulating means for accumulating said second digital output signal over said interval to provide a second accumulative signal; means responsive to said corrected ratio signal and said known errors for determining said interval; said interval determining means including: means responsive to both said first and second accumulated signals exceeding first and second values respectively for terminating said interval; said method including the steps of: sensing said first and second accumulated signals at the end of said interval; and comparing said first and second accumulated signals with said first and second values respectively for providing a leak indication signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 10 including the additional step of: counting said leak indication signals to provide an enabling signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as defined in claim 11 including the additional steps of: integrating said first accumulated signal from said first value to provide a difference signal; integrating said difference signal; and generating a shutdown signal if said integrated different signal reaches a predetermined value when said enabling signal is present.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |