Method and apparatus for storage tank leak detection having temperature compensation
US4732035A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 1987 |
| Grant date | Mar 22, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/686
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for substantially eliminating measuring inaccuracies in a storage tank leak detection system caused by temperature-induced volumetric changes in the stored fluid product is described. In a preferred embodiment of the method, a limp bladder is connected to an end of a pressure tube having an inlet and a substantially hollow core. The pressure tube and the bladder are filled with a medium having a temperature coefficient substantially lower than the temperature coefficient of the fluid product. The pressure tube and the bladder are then supported in a substantially vertical manner in the storage tank such that a first portion of the medium is supported in the bladder in static equilibrium with respect to a second portion of the medium supported in the pressure tube. The large disparity between the temperature coefficients of the medium and the fluid product insures that temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product do not vary the level of the medium in the pressure tube. Accordingly, variations in the medium level in the tube represent a true indication of leakage of the fluid product out of the storage tank or leakage of a foreign product into t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.