Fluid leak indicator

US4864847A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• George E. Anderson · Champlin, US
• Shu Loo · Cerritos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 29, 1985
• Grant date: Sep 12, 1989
• Expiry date: May 29, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01M3/04
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A fluid leak indicator (30) for detecting and indicating leaks in visually inaccessible fluid tubing joints (20, 21), such as those obstructed by insulation (24), includes a bag system (25) and a wicking system (30) surrounding or wrapping the joints (20, 21) under the visual obstructing material (24). Leaking fluid is collected in the bag (25) or on the wicking material (34) where it is conducted along the wicking material (34) to a visibly accessible capturing transparent indicator bulb (35) for providing a visual indication of the leak without requiring a chemical change in the capturing indicator bulb (35).