Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for detecting and monitoring oil spills and leaks

US9279738B1 · kind B1 · utility

0Cited by
0References
12Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 24, 2015
Grant dateMar 8, 2016
Priority date—
Expiry dateFeb 24, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V8/00
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A leak alarm system for a petroleum pipeline includes one or more detectors installed in the ground adjacent to a pipeline, each detector having a tubular enclosure with a diode light source and photosensor located at the opposed end of the tube. The tubular enclosure is fabricated of a microporous material that has microfiltration properties: it is hydrophobic, so that soil water will not enter the enclosure, but also oleophilic to enable petroleum and related substances migrate through the material of the tubular enclosure and accumulate therein. The petroleum-like materials scatter the beam and diminish the sensor signal, causing a leak alarm signal to be generated.

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