Patent US3690150A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3690150A
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Pipe line leak detection and location system
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1971-08-19
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1991-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A pipe line leak detection and location system including means for raising and lowering the pressure in a flowing pipe line, and metering the flow at the inlet and outlet of the pipe line at the different pressure levels, thus enabling pipe line leaks of very small magnitude to be detected. By determining the increase in the rate of a leak at high pressure over that obtained at low pressure, pipe line leaks can be detected. Block valves paralleled by orifices, or control valves, located at spaced intervals along the pipe line permit the raising and lowering of the pressure in selected segments of the pipe line, and allow the particular location of the leak also to be determined. When a leak is present the difference between the inflow and outflow readings will be greater at the higher pressure than at the lower pressure and when there is no leak present, the difference between these readings will be the same at the high pressure and the low pressure. Electronic control means are provided to receive pressure and flow responsive signals from the pipe line and transmit these signals to further control equipment connected with the pipe line for controlling pressure and flow thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 John S Mullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2807; F; F17; F17D; F17D5/00; F17D5/02; F17D5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for determining the presence of a leak in a pipe line having a liquid flowing therethrough, comprising the steps of: a. establishing a first pressure in said pipe line; b. measuring the inflow and outflow of the liquid flowing in said pipe line at said first pressure; c. varying said first pressure to a second pressure lower than said first pressure; d. measuring the inflow and outflow of the liquid flowing in said pipe line at said second pressure; e. comparing the measurements taken at said first and second pressures, whereby a difference between the measurements at said first and second pressures is a measure of the increase in an existing leak in said pipe line.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for determining the presence of a leak in a pipe line having a liquid flowing therethrough, comprising the steps of: a. establishing a first pressure in said pipe line; b. measuring the inflow and outflow of the liquid flowing in said pipe line at said first pressure; c. varying said first pressure to a second pressure lower than said first pressure; d. measuring the inflow and outflow of the liquid flowing in said pipe line at said second pressure; e. comparing the measurements taken at said first and second pressures, whereby a difference between the measurements at said first and second pressures is a measure of the increase in an existing leak in said pipe line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the steps of: a. obtaining a plurality of measurements at said first and said second pressures; and b. averaging said plurality of measurements, whereby only the effects of pressure on an existing leak will be present in the results of the comparison.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the first and second pressures are varied along the entire length of said pipe line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said first pressure is established and varied to said second pressure in sequential fashion for different predetermined segments of said pipe line, whereby the particular portion of the pipe line containing the leak readily may be determined.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein measurements of the inflow and outflow at said first and second pressures are obtained for predetermined portions of said pipe line.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for determining the presence of a leak in a pipe line having a liquid flowing therethrough comprising, in combination: a. meters operably located near the inlet and outlet of said pipe line for measuring the liquid inflow and outflow thereof, respectively; b. valve means operably associated with said pipe line for cycling the pressure thereof; c. control means operably connected with said valve means to control the opening and closing thereof in predetermined manner, said control means further including means operably connected with said meters for moniToring the liquid inflow and outflow of said pipe line, whereby upon the cycling of said pressure of said pipe line an existing leak will leak more or less depending upon the direction in which said pressure is cycled and the existence of a leak readily can be determined.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for determining the presence of a leak in a pipe line having a liquid flowing therethrough comprising, in combination: a. meters operably located near the inlet and outlet of said pipe line for measuring the liquid inflow and outflow thereof, respectively; b. valve means operably associated with said pipe line for cycling the pressure thereof; c. control means operably connected with said valve means to control the opening and closing thereof in predetermined manner, said control means further including means operably connected with said meters for moniToring the liquid inflow and outflow of said pipe line, whereby upon the cycling of said pressure of said pipe line an existing leak will leak more or less depending upon the direction in which said pressure is cycled and the existence of a leak readily can be determined.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein said pipe line is divided into predetermined segments having said valve means at the inlet and outlet thereof, said control means being operably connected with each of said valve means for each of said segments such that selected segments of said pipe line can be subjected to cycling of the pressure, whereby the particular segment of said pipe line containing a leak readily can be determined.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3610025A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |