Measuring and testing – With fluid pressure – Leakage
Patent
1997-02-10
1998-10-13
Brock, Michael
Measuring and testing
With fluid pressure
Leakage
73 491, 340623, 137 68, 137312, G01M 304, G01M 326, B67D 504
Patent
active
058214038
ABSTRACT:
A pipeline leak detection apparatus is provided for fluid dispensing system having a dispenser, a storage tank, and a pump and an electric cut-off valve arranged in hydraulic series with the outlet of the storage tank. The pipeline to be monitored extends between the cut-off valve and the dispenser. A control circuit that operates the cut-off valve such that the valve opens with use of the dispenser and closes with non-use in order to hydraulically isolate the storage tank and pump from the pipeline and dispenser during periods of non-use. The leak detection apparatus is connected in a by-pass loop around the pump. It includes a small pot or plenum, a float switch, and a return line for fuel to spill back into the storage tank. The plenum inlet is connected to a branch in the pipeline near the cut-off valve, and its outlet is connected to the return line to the storage tank. The float switch is mounted to the plenum so that its float extends into the plenum chamber. The electrical side of the float switch is connected in the control circuit so that for as long as the float is floated the switch is maintained in one state and produces no effect on the control circuit, but when the float falls the switch changes state and disables the operability of the electric cut-off valve. That way, during use of the dispenser, a fractional amount of the outflow of the pump is diverted through the plenum to keep the float floated; however, during non-use of the dispenser, the falling of the float corresponds to fluid draining out of the plenum chamber as caused by a leak in the pipeline, the result being the disablement of the electric cut-off valve.
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Bay Jonathan A.
Brock Michael
Wiggins J. David
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