US5081864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak protected vessel
Assignee: Omega Environmental Inc
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Filing: 1989-08-11
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Granted: 1992-01-21
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Expires: 2009-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A double-walled vessel for containing fluid, the vessel having an annular space between the walls wherein a compressed gas at a pressure higher than any pressure in the inner vessel is maintained, the vessel including a monitoring device to sense the escape of gas from the annular space such as decrease in its pressure or flow of gas from a replenishing source and to sense the presence of the compressed gas in the inner vessel such as increase in pressure, sensing the composition of the compressed gas within the inner vessel or sensing an increase in flow through a vent, whereby leakage through either the inner vessel wall or the surrounding outer wall is detected and the escape of contained fluid from the inner vessel is prevented.
Inventors
- 👤 Adil Z. Zaim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/22; G01M3/226; G01M3/32; G01M3/3236
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
The method to detect leakage and prevent escape of fluid from the inner vessel of a double wall container having an annular space between the inner wall and the outer wall, said annular space being hermetically sealed from the interior of a vessel defined by said inner wall, said double wall vessel having means to provide compressed gas to said annular space, means to detect loss of compressed gas from said annular space and means to detect the presence of said compressed gas in said vessel, comprising: providing a compressed gas to said annular space at a controlled pressure higher than the highest pressure in said vessel and in sufficient volume to prevent leakage of said fluid through a leak site in said inner wall; detecting the escape of said compressed gas from said annular space; and detecting the presence of said compressed gas in said vessel, whereby leakage through the inner wall is established.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
The method to detect leakage and prevent escape of fluid from the inner vessel of a double wall container having an annular space between the inner wall and the outer wall, said annular space being hermetically sealed from the interior of a vessel defined by said inner wall, said double wall vessel having means to provide compressed gas to said annular space, means to detect loss of compressed gas from said annular space and means to detect the presence of said compressed gas in said vessel, comprising: providing a compressed gas to said annular space at a controlled pressure higher than the highest pressure in said vessel and in sufficient volume to prevent leakage of said fluid through a leak site in said inner wall; detecting the escape of said compressed gas from said annular space; and detecting the presence of said compressed gas in said vessel, whereby leakage through the inner wall is established.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 including detecting the escape of said compressed gas by the step of monitoring flow of compressed gas to said annular space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 including detecting the escape of said compressed gas by the step of monitoring the pressure of compressed gas in said annular space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 including detecting the presence of said compressed gas by the step of monitoring the composition of gas within said vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 including detecting the presence of said compressed gas by the step of monitoring the pressure in said vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 including detecting the presence of said compressed gas by the step of monitoring flow through a went from said vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1995-01-20 | 1995-07-22 | 1996-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-20 | 1999-07-22 | 2000-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-20 | 2003-07-22 | 2004-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |