US4524608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas leak meter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-12-05
•
Granted: 1985-06-25
•
Expires: 2003-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A gas leak meter is directly attached to a valve box having a leaking valve therein. Based upon the rate of gas leakage, a decision can be made to delay or replace the leaking valve. The gas leak meter has a stopper that is placed into the valve box. The stopper has a rubber tube attached thereon and this tube leads to a gas collector which operates at atmospheric pressure. In a given period of time, the rate of gas leakage can be determined based upon the amount of gas collected.
Inventors
- 👤 David T. Bellefeuille
- 👤 Robert S. Beckwith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/06; G01M3/08; G01M3/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A gas leak meter, said gas leak meter removably attached to a valve box containing a leaking gas valve therein, said gas leak meter comprising: means for blocking the escape of leaking gas from said valve box, said means for blocking removably attached to said valve box, said means for blocking having therein a hole for channeling said leaking gas, a flexible tube, said tube fixedly attached to said hole in said means for blocking, means for collecting said leaking gas at atmospheric pressure, said means for collecting having a first chamber with an open end exposed to said atmospheric pressure, said means for collecting having a second chamber having a closed top end, said first and said second chambers communicating through operably connected lower ends, said tube operably connected to allow said leaking gas to collect in said second chamber, said second chamber completely filled with a fluid before said leaking gas enters therein, and means for timing, said timing means providing a period of time during which said leaking gas partially fills said second chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A gas leak meter, said gas leak meter removably attached to a valve box containing a leaking gas valve therein, said gas leak meter comprising: means for blocking the escape of leaking gas from said valve box, said means for blocking removably attached to said valve box, said means for blocking having therein a hole for channeling said leaking gas, a flexible tube, said tube fixedly attached to said hole in said means for blocking, means for collecting said leaking gas at atmospheric pressure, said means for collecting having a first chamber with an open end exposed to said atmospheric pressure, said means for collecting having a second chamber having a closed top end, said first and said second chambers communicating through operably connected lower ends, said tube operably connected to allow said leaking gas to collect in said second chamber, said second chamber completely filled with a fluid before said leaking gas enters therein, and means for timing, said timing means providing a period of time during which said leaking gas partially fills said second chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A gas leak meter as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for blocking comprises a slab of rubber which when inserted into said valve box prevents the escape of said leaking gas between said slab and said valve box.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A gas leak meter as defined in claim 2 wherein said slab is cylindrically shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A gas leak meter as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for collecting includes a means for supporting said second chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gas leak meter as defined in claim 4 wherein said first chamber is a cylindrical container having said open top and a closed bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A gas leak meter as defined in claim 5 wherein said container is made of clear material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gas leak meter as defined in claim 6 wherein said second chamber is a cylindrical container having said closed top and an open lower end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A gas leak meter as defined in claim 7 wherein said second chamber is made of a clear material, and further said second container has a diameter less than a diameter of said first container and is seated therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A gas leak meter as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for collecting comprises a "U" shaped container, one top end of said container being open, the other top end of said container being closed, and a nipple attached to said container to allow said leaking gas flowing through said tube to enter into only said closed top end.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of measuring the rate of gas leaking from a leaking valve buried underground and reached through a valve box, said method comprising said steps of: attaching a stopper to said valve box, said stopper having a tube therein such that leaking gas flows therein, filling a means for collecting gas at atmospheric pressure with a fluid, said fluid totally filling a second chamber, said second chamber having a closed top end and an open bottom end, some of said fluid partially filling a first chamber, said first chamber having an open end exposed to atmospheric pressure, allowing said leaking gas flowing through said tube to enter into said second chamber, allowing said leaking gas to enter said second chamber for a given period of time, measuring a differential fluid height between said first and said second chamber, calculating the rate of gas leakage, and comparing a cost of gas leaking to a cost of replacing said leaking valve.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of measuring the rate of gas leaking from a leaking valve buried underground and reached through a valve box, said method comprising said steps of: attaching a stopper to said valve box, said stopper having a tube therein such that leaking gas flows therein, filling a means for collecting gas at atmospheric pressure with a fluid, said fluid totally filling a second chamber, said second chamber having a closed top end and an open bottom end, some of said fluid partially filling a first chamber, said first chamber having an open end exposed to atmospheric pressure, allowing said leaking gas flowing through said tube to enter into said second chamber, allowing said leaking gas to enter said second chamber for a given period of time, measuring a differential fluid height between said first and said second chamber, calculating the rate of gas leakage, and comparing a cost of gas leaking to a cost of replacing said leaking valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1340176A
Cited
US3245256A
Cited
US3511082A
Cited
US3583435A
Cited
US3872714A
Cited
US4020697A
Cited
US4068522A
Cited
US4453399A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-06-24 | 1988-12-24 | 1989-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-24 | 1992-12-24 | 1993-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-24 | 1996-12-24 | 1997-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |