US3673857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for detecting leaks in vacuum or pneumatic pressure lines
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1970-08-06
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-08-06
Abstract
Abstract Leak detector apparatus comprising a sensor which can be clamped on a vacuum or pneumatic pressure line to detect the presence of a leak in the line near the clamping location, and an indicator coupled to the sensor to indicate the intensity of signals transmitted by the sensor. The sensor includes a transducer formed of piezoelectric material for transducing to an electric signal the low-amplitude, high-frequency random-force component applied to the clamping surfaces by the turbulence noise which results from the leak. Certain embodiments of the apparatus have a sensor which also includes a mechanical resonator for amplifying the electrical signal that is transmitted.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard R Teitelbaum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/24; G01M3/243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A device for detecting a leak in vacuum or pneumatic pressure conduits comprising a turbulence noise sensor in the form of a clamp structure which has arms defining clamping surfaces for clamping onto one of said conduits, one of said arms including a transducer whiCh is operable to transduce a low-amplitude, highfrequency, random-force component to an electrical signal, and an indicator electrically coupled to said transducer for indicating the strength of the electrical signal, said transducer being located in said one arm so that one surface of the transducer defines one of said clamping surfaces of the clamp structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A device for detecting a leak in vacuum or pneumatic pressure conduits comprising a turbulence noise sensor in the form of a clamp structure which has arms defining clamping surfaces for clamping onto one of said conduits, one of said arms including a transducer whiCh is operable to transduce a low-amplitude, highfrequency, random-force component to an electrical signal, and an indicator electrically coupled to said transducer for indicating the strength of the electrical signal, said transducer being located in said one arm so that one surface of the transducer defines one of said clamping surfaces of the clamp structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device that is defined in claim 1, wherein said one arm includes a mechanical resonator to amplify the output signal of the sensor, said transducer being a part of said resonator, and said resonator defines one of said clamping surfaces of the clamp structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device that is defined in claim 2, wherein said resonator includes at least one elastic member coupled to a mass to produce forced vibrations having large magnitudes at preselected frequencies, said transducer being said one elastic member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The device that is defined in claim 3, wherein said transducer is a piezoceramic cylinder which has radially inner and outer electrode surfaces electrically coupled to said indicator, a clamping shoe which comprises said mass and defines the clamping surface of said one arm, and said resonator also includes a tie bolt which forms another elastic member located coaxially through said cylinder securing said cylinder between said clamping shoe and an inner end portion of said one arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device that is defined in claim 3, wherein said transducer is a stack of piezoceramic plates which each have upper and lower electrode surfaces electrically coupled to said indicator, and said mass is a clamping shoe which defines the clamping surface of said one arm, said stack being said elastic member and located between said shoe and an inner portion of said one arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device that is defined in claim 3, wherein said transducer is a bar of homogeneous piezoceramic material which has electrode surfaces on opposite sides electrically coupled to said indicator, and said mass is a clamping shoe which defines the clamping surface of said one arm, said bar being said elastic member and located between said shoe and an inner portion of said one arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device that is defined in claim 2, wherein said transducer utilizes a piezoelectric material as said electric member and for transducing the force component to an electrical signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device that is defined in claim 7, wherein said material is an electrically poled ceramic-type polycrystalline material.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for detecting a leak in vacuum or pneumatic pressure conduits comprising a turbulence noise sensor having an engagement surface for engaging one of said conduits, said sensor including a transducer formed of piezoelectric material which is operable in response to turbulence noise propagated through the wall of said one conduit to transduce a low-amplitude, high-frequency, random-force component to an electrical signal, and an indicator electrically coupled to said transducer for indicating the strength of the electrical signal, said turbulence noise sensor including a mechanical resonator to amplify the output signal of the sensor, and said resonator having a shoe which defines said engagement surface, said transducer being connected to said shoe and arranged to act in association with the shoe as an elastic member of the resonator.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for detecting a leak in vacuum or pneumatic pressure conduits comprising a turbulence noise sensor having an engagement surface for engaging one of said conduits, said sensor including a transducer formed of piezoelectric material which is operable in response to turbulence noise propagated through the wall of said one conduit to transduce a low-amplitude, high-frequency, random-force component to an electrical signal, and an indicator electrically coupled to said transducer for indicating the strength of the electrical signal, said turbulence noise sensor including a mechanical resonator to amplify the output signal of the sensor, and said resonator having a shoe which defines said engagement surface, said transducer being connected to said shoe and arranged to act in association with the shoe as an elastic member of the resonator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |