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US4748847A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Non-electrical leak detection method

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-05-26
•
Granted: 1988-06-07
•
Expires: 2007-05-26
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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 13:34
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

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