US3874222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipeline leak detector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-23
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A leak detection and location system for a pipeline carrying a thermally unstable fluid is disclosed which includes an electric circuit along the pipeline with temperature sensitive elements spaced along the pipeline, each set to produce a unique signal in the circuit when a temperature characteristic of, or influenced by, leaking fluid is sensed and means to transmit that unique signal to an alarm. There is also disclosed a trough or canopy containing elements of the leak detection and location system, said trough to be buried with the pipeline in a position to collect leaking fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry A Ladd
- 👤 Frederick L Schenck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/002; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/16; G01M3/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for detecting and locating leaks in an elongated conduit carrying a thermally unstable fluid comprising: A. a plurality of detecting circuits each comprising at least two detecting wires having spaced temperature sensing means in parallel between said wires which actuate means to close a circuit when a temperature influenced by escaping fluid is sensed, B. means associated with each temperature sensing means for producing a signal in said detecting wires unique to that temperature sensing means, C. a signal carrying circuit connectible to all detecting circuits along said conduit and terminating in a monitoring station, D. means for transferring a sIgnal indicating a leak from each detecting circuit into said signal carrying circuit, and E. means in said monitoring station to identify said unique signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for detecting and locating leaks in an elongated conduit carrying a thermally unstable fluid comprising: A. a plurality of detecting circuits each comprising at least two detecting wires having spaced temperature sensing means in parallel between said wires which actuate means to close a circuit when a temperature influenced by escaping fluid is sensed, B. means associated with each temperature sensing means for producing a signal in said detecting wires unique to that temperature sensing means, C. a signal carrying circuit connectible to all detecting circuits along said conduit and terminating in a monitoring station, D. means for transferring a sIgnal indicating a leak from each detecting circuit into said signal carrying circuit, and E. means in said monitoring station to identify said unique signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said detecting circuit comprises three wires, the first and second of said wires with a potential difference between them interconnected by a resistor and a thermistor set to be characteristically conductive at a temperature influenced by the escape of said thermally unstable fluid, the flow of current through said thermistor causing a silicon controlled rectifier between one of said first and second wires and the third wire to be conductive, and the third wire having a resistor of predetermined resistance associated with each thermistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said signal carrying circuit comprises three wires, the first and second of said wires forming a loop including a by-passed, predetermined resistance associated with each detecting circuit and with means to place said resistance in the loop when a signal indicating a leak in that detecting circuit is introduced into the loop, means in said monitoring station to identify the specific resistance in said loop and thereby the detecting circuit signaling a leak, means responsive to a signal indicating a leak for placing the unique signal from the detecting circuit into a loop including the third wire of said signal carrying circuit and the third wire of the detecting circuit, and means in said monitoring station for identifying the unique signal with the temperature sensing means that senses a temperature influenced by release of thermally unstable fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A trough comprising an elongated, flexible sheet having arcuate cross section with at least one opening in a central portion thereof, said trough having embedded therein a plurality of electric wires running parallel to the long axis of the trough with at least two of said wires connected through a temperature sensing means to be shorted at a preselected temperature, and with said temperature sensing means being positioned to sense the temperature of fluid passing through said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A trough comprising an elongated, flexible sheet having arcuate cross section with at least one opening in a central portion thereof, said trough having embedded therein a plurality of electric wires running parallel to the long axis of the trough with at least two of said wires connected through a temperature sensing means to be shorted at a preselected temperature, and with said temperature sensing means being positioned to sense the temperature of fluid passing through said opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The trough of claim 4 wherein six conductors are embedded in said trough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The trough of claim 4 wherein said wires and said temperature sensing means are embedded in a central protuberance extending from the center of the concave surface of said trough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The trough of claim 6 wherein said protuberance includes cross channels perpendicular to the axis thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The trough of claim 4 including vent holes positioned to permit the escape of fluid adjacent to said temperature sensing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The trough of claim 4 including means for holding said trough from the side of a pipeline.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The trough of claim 9 wherein said means are circumferential corrugations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
In combination with a buried pipeline containing thermally unstable fluid, the improvement which comprises a buried trough positioned with respect to said pipeline to intercept fluid escaping therefrom, said trough comprising an elongated, flexible sheet having arcuate cross section and a series of longitudinally spaced openings in a central portion thereof and having embedded therein a plurality of electric conductors running parallel to the long axis with at least two of said conductors connected through a temperature sensing means positioned to sense the temperature of fluid passing through an opening and adapted to close a circuit between said two of the conductors when a temperature aberration is sensed, and means associated with said circuit to produce a unique signal in said conductors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
122 words
In combination with a buried pipeline containing thermally unstable fluid, the improvement which comprises a buried trough positioned with respect to said pipeline to intercept fluid escaping therefrom, said trough comprising an elongated, flexible sheet having arcuate cross section and a series of longitudinally spaced openings in a central portion thereof and having embedded therein a plurality of electric conductors running parallel to the long axis with at least two of said conductors connected through a temperature sensing means positioned to sense the temperature of fluid passing through an opening and adapted to close a circuit between said two of the conductors when a temperature aberration is sensed, and means associated with said circuit to produce a unique signal in said conductors.
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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |