US4748847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-electrical leak detection method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-05-26
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Granted: 1988-06-07
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Expires: 2007-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of detecting leaks in a multi-layered roof system comprising ejecting a tracer gas and a propellant gas under a water-impermeable membrane of a multi-layered roof system and detecting any escape of the tracer gas on the surface of the roof, which detection is indicative of a break or opening in the water-impermeable membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 James P. Sheahan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting leaks in a multi-layered roof, the method comprising: (A) injecting a tracer gas between layers of the multi-layered roof; (B) propelling the tracer gas by a non-tracer gas; (C) detecting the injected tracer gas on the surface of the roof with a detector that is detection sensitive to the tracer gas, until the detector senses the area of highest intensity of tracer gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting leaks in a multi-layered roof, the method comprising: (A) injecting a tracer gas between layers of the multi-layered roof; (B) propelling the tracer gas by a non-tracer gas; (C) detecting the injected tracer gas on the surface of the roof with a detector that is detection sensitive to the tracer gas, until the detector senses the area of highest intensity of tracer gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tracer gas is a halogenated hydrocarbon and the non-tracer gas is compressed air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the halogenated hydrocarbon is a fluorinated hydrocarbon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon is dichlorodifluoromethane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon is monochlorotrifluoromethane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon is monobromotrifluoromethane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon is monochlorodifluoromethane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon is dichlorotetrafluoroethane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tracer gas is a halogenated hydrocarbon and the non-tracer gas is nitrogen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tracer gas is a halogenated hydrocarbon and the non-tracer gas is carbon dioxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tracer gas is a halogenated hydrocarbon and the non-tracer gas is argon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tracer gas is a halogenated hydrocarbon and the non-tracer gas is helium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detector is a halogen leak detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the halogen leak detector is an automatic halogen leak detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein in step (C), the detector is used in a systematic pattern over the surface of the roof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a vacuum device is used in conjunction with the detector to help concentrate the tracer gas near the detector sensor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3921438A
Cited
US4189938A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-07 | 1991-12-07 | 1992-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-07 | 1995-12-07 | 1996-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-07 | 1999-12-07 | 2000-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |