Patent US2511621A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3814207A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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An apparatus for detecting leak of fluid from a long pipeline for transporting fluid
Assignee: Osaka Gas Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-04-25
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A system for systematically detecting a leak of fluid from a long pipe comprising a plurality of apparatuses like microphones set at relatively large intervals within a relatively long limited space, formed by utilizing the wall of the pipe like a space within the pipe and extending longitudinally of the pipe. The apparatuses intercept sonic waves caused by the leak of fluid from the pipe propagated in the limited space. The system further includes an apparatus for detecting that at least one firstmentioned apparatus has intercepted the sonic wave caused by the fluid leak.
Inventors
- 👤 T Kusuda
- 👤 N Nishiwaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/24; G01M3/243; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H3/10; G01H3/12; F; F16; F16L; F16L2101/00; F16L2101/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
An apparatus for symmetrically detecting a leak of fluid from a pipe of a long pipeline useful in transporting fluid comprising, in combination: a. a long hollow space defined, at least on one side by a wall of said pipe for transport of the fluid, which space extends longitudinally along said pipe; b. a plurality of stationary first means for intercepting sonic waves propagated within said hollow space, said first means being propagated within said hollow space, said first means being in longitudinally spaced apart relationship to one another along said pipe over a long distance, adjacent two of said first means being spaced apart by such a distance as to enable at least one of said adjacent two of said first means to intercept a sonic wave caused by a leak which may occur at least between said adjacent two of said first means; and c. second means coupled, via respective coupling means, to each of said first means including at least said adjacent two of said first means and responsive to their output signals for signaling that a sonic wave caused by a leak has been intercepted by at least one of said first means, said second means being positioned externally from said hollow space, and including third means, which includes a first unit for computing the leak point based upon the relative relationship between at least two signals sent from respective ones of said first means of said plurality of first means, and a second unit coupled to said first unit and responsive to output therefrom for indicating the cOmputed result.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
264 words
An apparatus for symmetrically detecting a leak of fluid from a pipe of a long pipeline useful in transporting fluid comprising, in combination: a. a long hollow space defined, at least on one side by a wall of said pipe for transport of the fluid, which space extends longitudinally along said pipe; b. a plurality of stationary first means for intercepting sonic waves propagated within said hollow space, said first means being propagated within said hollow space, said first means being in longitudinally spaced apart relationship to one another along said pipe over a long distance, adjacent two of said first means being spaced apart by such a distance as to enable at least one of said adjacent two of said first means to intercept a sonic wave caused by a leak which may occur at least between said adjacent two of said first means; and c. second means coupled, via respective coupling means, to each of said first means including at least said adjacent two of said first means and responsive to their output signals for signaling that a sonic wave caused by a leak has been intercepted by at least one of said first means, said second means being positioned externally from said hollow space, and including third means, which includes a first unit for computing the leak point based upon the relative relationship between at least two signals sent from respective ones of said first means of said plurality of first means, and a second unit coupled to said first unit and responsive to output therefrom for indicating the cOmputed result.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second means is disposed at a single place, and each of said first means is coupled to said second means via a respective one of said coupling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hollow space is an interior space of said pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a wall surrounding said pipe over a considerable distance along said pipe and wherein said hollow space is a space formed between said pipe and said wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said first means of said plurality of first means responds to the intensity of any intercepted sonic wave for producing a signal indicative of the sonic wave exceeding a predetermined level, which level occurs upon occurrence of a leak of fluid from said pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first means converts any intercepted sonic wave into a wave signal and said coupling means sends this wave signal to said second means, and said second means responds to this wave signal from said first means for indicating that this wave signal has exceeded a predetermined level thereby detecting a leak of fluid from said pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a self-correlator for selectively identifying a sonic wave caused by a leak from among sonic waves intercepted by said first means by means of self-correlation analysis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a structure for enabling each of at least adjacent two of said first means to intercept a sonic wave caused by a leak occurring between said two first means and a cross-correlator for subjecting to cross-correlation analysis at least two sonic waves intercepted by a plurality of said first means respectively to identify selectively a sonic wave caused by a leak from among sonic waves thus intercepted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a unit for identifying leak-indicating sonic waves in the form of pattern changes over a period of time in frequency and intensity of any sonic wave intercepted by said first means, and a structure for comparing the pattern thus obtained with a standard pattern showing changes over a period of time in frequency and intensity of a sonic wave when a leak of fluid from said pipe is known to be present.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first unit comprises a means for computing the ratio of the intensity of sonic waves intercepted by at least two of said first means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a self-correlator for subjecting each of the signals to self-correlation analysis before computing the ratio of the intensity to identify an intercepted signal caused by a leak from among intercepted signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said third means comprises a unit for comparing the difference in time required for a sonic wave caused by the leak to be propagated from a given leak point to at least two of said first means respectively by a cross-correlation analysis among the intercepted signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: at least one valve for stopping transport of fluid through said pipe, and means coupled to said third means and operable in response to an instruction signal from said third means for automatically closing said valve.
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) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |