Leak detection systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A leak detection system for a system that includes fluid communication tubes configured to transport a fluid to and from one or more heat exchangers positioned adjacent to one or more electrical components within the system, where the fluid communication tubes are connected to one or more connection ports, the leak detection system comprising:
- a leak detection jacket disposed co-axially around the one or more connection ports, the leak detection jacket being configured with electrical properties that are changed by contact with fluid; and
a control logic operably connected to selected leak detection jackets, the control logic being configured to detect a fluid leak at the one or more connection ports by detecting a change in the electrical properties of a selected leak detection jacket.
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Abstract
Systems, methodologies, and other embodiments associated with fluid leak detection are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a leak detection jacket that is configured to change properties when contacted by fluid.
50 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A leak detection system for a system that includes fluid communication tubes configured to transport a fluid to and from one or more heat exchangers positioned adjacent to one or more electrical components within the system, where the fluid communication tubes are connected to one or more connection ports, the leak detection system comprising:
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a leak detection jacket disposed co-axially around the one or more connection ports, the leak detection jacket being configured with electrical properties that are changed by contact with fluid; and
a control logic operably connected to selected leak detection jackets, the control logic being configured to detect a fluid leak at the one or more connection ports by detecting a change in the electrical properties of a selected leak detection jacket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system, comprising:
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a fluid recirculation system comprising fluid tubing for carrying a fluid, a pump for pumping the fluid through the fluid tubing, and a system heat exchanger connected to the fluid tubing for exchanging heat with the fluid, the fluid tubing defining an input path into the heat exchanger and an output path from the heat exchanger;
a computer equipment cabinet configured with a plurality of servers, and including at least one fluid input port and at least one fluid output port for connecting with the fluid tubing of the fluid recirculation system;
a component heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between one or more electronic components within a server and the fluid, where the fluid tubing connects the component heat exchanger to the at least one fluid input port and the at least one fluid output port;
a port wrap being fluid permeable and being wrapped around selected ports from the at least one fluid input port and the at least one fluid output port, the port wrap being configured with at least two electrically conductive layers separated by a dielectric layer; and
a control logic operably connected to the electrically conductive layers of the port wrap, the control logic being configured to measure an electrical property using the two electrically conductive layers where a change in the electrical property is indicative of a fluid leak. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method, comprising:
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flowing a fluid through tubing connected to a heat exchanger, the tubing being connected to one or more locations at connection ports;
sensing a fluid leak at a selected connection port using a jacket that surrounds the selected connection port, the jacket having electrically conductive portions and being fluid permeable where upon contact with the fluid, an electrical property of the jacket is changed;
measuring the electrical property of the jacket; and
determining whether fluid has contacted the jacket based on a change in the electrical property which indicates a fluid leak. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A tube for carrying a fluid for a heat exchanger, the tube comprising:
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an elongated tube body defining an internal fluid path for allowing a fluid to flow therethrough;
a first electrically conductive layer enclosing at least a portion of the elongated tube body;
a dielectric layer disposed around the first electrically conductive layer;
a second electrically conductive layer disposed around the dielectric layer;
the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer being configured to connect to a sensing circuit configured to sense a capacitance change between the first and second electrically conductive layers due to a fluid leak from the tube that contacts the first electrically conductive layer.
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26. A leak detection system for a computing system that includes fluid communication tubes configured to transport a fluid to and from one or more heat exchangers positioned adjacent to one or more electrical components within the computing system, where the fluid communication tubes are connected to one or more connection ports, the leak detection system comprising:
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a means for absorbing a fluid, the means for absorbing being disposed co-axially around the one or more connection ports, the means for absorbing being configured with electrical properties that are changed by contact with a fluid; and
a means for detecting a leak being operably connected to selected means for absorbing a fluid, the means for detecting being configured to detect a fluid leak at the one or more connection ports by detecting a change in the electrical properties of a selected means for absorbing a fluid. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification