US4336708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipeline leak locator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-10-14
•
Granted: 1982-06-29
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Expires: 2000-10-14
Abstract
Abstract In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of a leak locating system, a pipeline leak locator is disclosed. The locator includes an electronic circuit having temperature sensors attachable to the pipeline and a time and temperature monitor. The system utilizes time and temperature differences to determine the direction and along with the known volume loss can determine the distance of a pipeline leak relative to the locator. The pipeline leak locator further includes a cooling coil for reducing the pipe wall temperature to a predetermined value in the area of the sensors.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry W. Hobgood
- 👤 James C. Knox, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/16; G01M3/18; G01M3/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for locating leaks in a pipeline carrying a fluid comprising: (a) means for changing the temperature of a pipeline section, said temperature changing means being selectably attachable at a selected location of the pipeline section; (b) a plurality of temperature sensors selectably attachable to the pipeline section, said temperature sensors being equally spaced from said temperature changing means along the length of the pipeline section; and (c) monitor means connected to said temperature sensors for monitoring change in the temperature of the pipeline section.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for locating leaks in a pipeline carrying a fluid comprising: (a) means for changing the temperature of a pipeline section, said temperature changing means being selectably attachable at a selected location of the pipeline section; (b) a plurality of temperature sensors selectably attachable to the pipeline section, said temperature sensors being equally spaced from said temperature changing means along the length of the pipeline section; and (c) monitor means connected to said temperature sensors for monitoring change in the temperature of the pipeline section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature changing means is a cooling coil incorporated in a flexible enclosure for attachment to the pipeline section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least two temperature sensors are attached to the pipeline section on each side of said flexible enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cooling coil is connected to a low temperature coolant source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said monitor means includes timer means for monitoring elapsed time required for one of said plurality of temperature sensors to reach a preset temperature differential.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said monitor means displays temperature and elapsed time for each of said temperature sensors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a pipeline containing fluid under pressure, the method of locating a leak occurring in the pipeline including the steps of: (a) isolating a section of the pipeline suspected of including a leak; (b) changing the temperature at a part of a segment of the suspected pipeline section; (c) locating a plurality of temperature sensors to the pipeline segment near the temperature changing means; (d) monitoring the change in temperature of the pipeline segment; and (e) recording elapsed time for each of said temperature sensors after each of said sensors has reached a preset temperature value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a pipeline containing fluid under pressure, the method of locating a leak occurring in the pipeline including the steps of: (a) isolating a section of the pipeline suspected of including a leak; (b) changing the temperature at a part of a segment of the suspected pipeline section; (c) locating a plurality of temperature sensors to the pipeline segment near the temperature changing means; (d) monitoring the change in temperature of the pipeline segment; and (e) recording elapsed time for each of said temperature sensors after each of said sensors has reached a preset temperature value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of locating a leak as in claim 7 further including the step of excavating a segment of the suspected pipeline section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of locating a leak as in claim 7 further including the step of interpreting the elapsed time differential between adjacent temperature sensors for determining the location of the leak in the pipeline section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said temperature changing means is a heating coil incorporated in a flexible enclosure for attachment to the pipeline section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a pipeline containing fluid under pressure, the method of determining fluid flow rate through the pipeline including the steps of: (a) isolating a section of the pipeline; (b) changing the temperature at a part of a segment of the suspected pipeline section; (c) locating a plurality of temperature sensors to the pipeline segment near the temperature changing means; (d) monitoring the change in temperature of the pipeline segment; (e) recording elapsed time for each of said temperature sensors after each of said sensors has reached a preset temperature value; and (f) calculating the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the pipeline.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a pipeline containing fluid under pressure, the method of determining fluid flow rate through the pipeline including the steps of: (a) isolating a section of the pipeline; (b) changing the temperature at a part of a segment of the suspected pipeline section; (c) locating a plurality of temperature sensors to the pipeline segment near the temperature changing means; (d) monitoring the change in temperature of the pipeline segment; (e) recording elapsed time for each of said temperature sensors after each of said sensors has reached a preset temperature value; and (f) calculating the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the pipeline.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-06-28 | 1985-12-28 | 1986-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-28 | 1989-12-28 | 1990-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-28 | 1993-12-28 | 1994-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |