Patent · US Expired

Method of detecting a water leak in a locomotive

US7165442B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
9References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 7, 2004
Grant dateJan 23, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 30, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01M3/04
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods for detecting a water leak in a locomotive engine cooling system comprising numerous components, each being a potential source of leakage of water. The method typically comprises performing at least one inspection providing an indication of a water leak from an engine cooling system of the locomotive. The step of performing at least one inspection may comprise at least one of several steps including performing a visual inspection to determine if water is leaking from a portion of the cooling system external to the engine; performing a visual inspection of exhaust of the engine to detect an indication of water vapor in the exhaust; performing a visual inspection to detect an indication of water leaking into an intake air manifold 30 of the engine; performing an engine oil analysis to detect water in the engine lubricant; reviewing a fault log history for the locomotive; and checking a level of a cooling system sight glass. The method allows for the isolation of potential sources of the water leak from one another so as to prevent false positive leak identification caused by transient water flow between the potential sources. If an engine cylinder assembl…

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