Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for detecting fluid leakage

US5170659A · kind A · utility

71Cited by
9References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 8, 1991
Grant dateDec 15, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 8, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/8326
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus and method for detecting fluid leakage into an enclosed leakage chamber or space sealed by a fluid seal exposed to pressurized fluid from a flow line or pressure vessel. Upon leakage of fluid from the flow line or pressure vessel past the seal into the leakage chamber or space, the leaked fluid is communicated to a piston chamber in a fluid indicator device. Upon the reaching of a predetermined high fluid pressure, the piston is actuated for extending an indicator rod of the fluid indicator into a projected position for visual observation. For testing or inspection of the leaked fluid, a separate removable adaptor is provided for moving the piston to a fluid bypass position to permit removal of fluid from the piston chamber containing the leaked fluid, or to permit injection of an external fluid such as a sealant into the piston chamber and leakage chamber.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.