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US4404844A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Leak detecting method

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-01-22
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Granted: 1983-09-20
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Expires: 2002-01-22
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Abstract

Abstract This invention provides a method for detecting loss by leakage of liquid from a liquid-containing vessel by employing a submersible diaphragm-type pressure transducer having an integral operational amplifier in an appropriate electrical connection with a suitable power supply and digital volt meter. The method comprises steps of placing the transducer into the vessel beneath the surface of the liquid, energizing the operational amplifier to obtain an initial electrical output, recording the initial electrical output with a digital volt meter, adjusting the liquid volume of the vessel by a predetermined amount, (i.e., by adding or removing a known volume of liquid), recording the electrical output of the operational amplifier after the volume adjustment, calculating a calibration factor by dividing the adjusted volume by the difference in electrical output, recording the electrical output at the beginning of a predetermined period of time, recording the electrical output at the end of the predetermined period of time, recording the electrical output at the end of the predetermined period of time, and calculating the volume of liquid lost by subtracting the electrical output at the end of the predetermined period of time from the electrical output at the beginning of the predetermined period of time and multiplying the result by the calibration factor.

Inventors

  • 👤 Roy E. Hegler

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 21:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3236; G01M3/3245

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 160 words
Method of detecting leakage in a vessel containing liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) placing into said vessel beneath the surface of said liquid a submersible diaphragm-type pressure transducer having an integral operational amplifier; (b) energizing said operational amplifier to obtain an initial electrical output; (c) recording said initial electrical output; (d) adjusting the liquid volume of said vessel by a predetermined amount; (e) recording the electrical output after the adjustment in volume; (f) calculating a calibration factor by dividing the adjusted volume by the change in electrical output; (g) recording the electrical output at the beginning of a predetermined period of time; (h) recording the electrical output at the end of said predetermined period of time; and (i) calculating the volume of liquid lost by subtracting the electrical output at the end of said predetermined period of time from the electrical output at the beginning of said predetermined period of time and multiplying the result by said calibration factor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 160 words
Method of detecting leakage in a vessel containing liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) placing into said vessel beneath the surface of said liquid a submersible diaphragm-type pressure transducer having an integral operational amplifier; (b) energizing said operational amplifier to obtain an initial electrical output; (c) recording said initial electrical output; (d) adjusting the liquid volume of said vessel by a predetermined amount; (e) recording the electrical output after the adjustment in volume; (f) calculating a calibration factor by dividing the adjusted volume by the change in electrical output; (g) recording the electrical output at the beginning of a predetermined period of time; (h) recording the electrical output at the end of said predetermined period of time; and (i) calculating the volume of liquid lost by subtracting the electrical output at the end of said predetermined period of time from the electrical output at the beginning of said predetermined period of time and multiplying the result by said calibration factor.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3537298A Cited
US3538746A Cited
US3538745A Cited
US3841146A Cited
DE2637560A1 Cited
US4353245A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-09-19 1987-03-21 1987-09-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-09-19 1991-03-21 1991-09-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-09-19 1995-03-21 1995-09-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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