Patent US4201092A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4201092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of detecting and monitoring a leak caused by a through wall crack in a high pressure fluid system
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
•
Filing: 1977-09-06
•
Granted: 1980-05-06
•
Expires: 1997-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A method of detecting and monitoring leaks in the piping of a nuclear reactor senses the acoustic energy from the leak and analyzes its frequency spectrum versus acoustic amplitude. A choke flow condition will exist where the leak flows at sonic velocity; here the acoustic energy is directly proportional to the area of the crack producing the leak. This is utilized to provide an indication of crack enlargement.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary J. Dau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:55
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/002; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/24; G01M3/243; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/14; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of detecting and monitoring a leak caused by a through wall crack having a throat diameter in a high pressure fluid system comprising the following sequential steps: sensing the acoustic energy emitted by said wall crack, monitoring the change of said sensed energy over time, ascertaining that a choke flow condition exists wherein the escaping fluid velocity through said throat of said crack is sonic thus rendering the acoustic energy equal to a constant, kρ o A 3 o , multiplied by the square of the crack throat diameter, determining any crack enlargement in accordance with said change of said sensed energy.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of detecting and monitoring a leak caused by a through wall crack having a throat diameter in a high pressure fluid system comprising the following sequential steps: sensing the acoustic energy emitted by said wall crack, monitoring the change of said sensed energy over time, ascertaining that a choke flow condition exists wherein the escaping fluid velocity through said throat of said crack is sonic thus rendering the acoustic energy equal to a constant, kρ o A 3 o , multiplied by the square of the crack throat diameter, determining any crack enlargement in accordance with said change of said sensed energy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3545262A
Cited
FR2253219A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-05-06 | 1983-11-05 | 1984-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-05-06 | 1987-11-05 | 1988-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-05-06 | 1991-11-05 | 1992-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |