Methods and apparatuses for detection of properties of fluid conveyance systems

• US 20110199220A1
• Filed: 08/16/2010
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Green Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: McAlister, Roy E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,441,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/605
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0006 Controlling or regulating processes controlling or regulating in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0013 Controlling the temperature of the process
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/127 Sunlight; Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/1812 Tubular reactors
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/20 in the form of helices, e.g. screw reactors
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/245 placed in series
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00074 by indirect heating or cooling employing heat exchange fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00085 Plates; Jackets; Cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00144 Sunlight; Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00162 controlling the pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00164 controlling the flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0801 Controlling the process
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0871 Heating or cooling of the reactor
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0875 Gas
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/1203 Incoherent waves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/187 inclined at an angle to the horizontal or to the vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/24 Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0266 containing a decomposition step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/04 containing a purification step for the hydrogen or the synthesis gas
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0465 Composition of the impurity
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0485 : the impurity being a sulfur compound
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0811 : by combustion of fuel
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0822 : the fuel containing hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0872 : Methods of cooling
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0883 : by indirect heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/02 : Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/24 : of hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/26 : using catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 23/00 : Other methods of heating coke ovens
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 53/02 : of cellulose-containing material production of pyroligneous acid C10C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1284 : by renewable energy, e.g. solar energy, photovoltaic cells, wind
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1665 : to alcohols, e.g. methanol or ethanol preparation of alcohols in general C07C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1884 : with one stream being synthesis gas
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1892 : with one stream being water/steam
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/20 : Apparatus; Plants
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/72 : Other features
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/723 : Controlling or regulating the gasification process
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 5/02 : with pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 7/00 : Incinerators or other apparatus for consuming industrial waste, e.g. chemicals incinerator closets A47K11/02; oxidation of sludge C02F11/06; burners in general, burner details F23D; incinerating radioactive waste G21F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/20 : Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/40 : Solar heat collectors combined with other heat sources, e.g. using electrical heating or heat from ambient air
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/61 : Passive solar heat collectors, e.g. operated without external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/00 : Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/223 : for pipe joints or seals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/405 : by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/021 : Correlating sampling sites with geographical information, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00613 : Quality control
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 : Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 : Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 : Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/12 : Heat utilisation in combustion or incineration of waste
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 : Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 : Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 : Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/10 : Process efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/129 : Energy recovery, e.g. by cogeneration, H2recovery or pressure recovery turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 : Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 : Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring and/or detecting the flow of one or more fluids in a fluid system including leak detection system integral to the fluid system (e.g., at any point along a conduit, at a connection between conduits such as at a fitting assembly, etc.) configured to detect incipient, early stage levels of the leak. Based on one or more factors related to the fluid and/or the leak, the methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein can provide an indication of a suitable action or process in response to the fluid or the leak including performing preventative maintenance or providing an indication of the need of maintenance in response to the leak.

Claims

1. A fitting assembly for attachment to an end portion of a conduit, the fitting assembly comprising:

a first component configured to receive the end portion of the conduit;

a second component operably coupled to the first component, wherein the second component engages the first component to retain the end portion of the conduit in the first component, and

an indicator carried by at least one of the first and second components, wherein the indicator provides an externally accessible indication of information related to a fluid flowing through the fitting assembly.

2. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a first leak indicator, and wherein the fitting assembly further comprises a plurality of leak indicators at different positions on the fitting assembly.

3. The fitting assembly of claim 2 wherein the first leak indicator provides a first type of indication that differs from a second type of indication provided by a second leak indicator.

4. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indicator is positioned to contact an exterior surface of the end portion of the conduit when the first component receives the end portion of the conduit.

5. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indicator is configured to chemically react with a fluid flowing through the fitting assembly when the fluid contacts the indicator.

6. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indication of information includes a visual indication of fluid leakage.

7. The fitting assembly of claim 6 wherein the visual indication includes the release of a liquid from the indicator.

8. The fitting of claim 7 wherein the liquid has a first color that differs from a second color of the fluid flowing through the fitting assembly.

9. The fitting assembly of claim 6 wherein the indicator reacts with the fluid flowing through the fitting assembly to provide the visual indication.

10. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indication of information includes at least one of a visual indication released by the indicator, an odor emitted by the indicator, and a radio signal transmitted by the indicator.

11. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indication of information is responsive to at least one of visible radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and microwave radiation directed at the fitting assembly.

12. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indication of information includes a radio signal emitted by the indicator.

13. The fitting assembly of claim 12 wherein the radio signal is provided in response to a change in at least one of capacitance, resistance, and magnetic field of the leak detector caused by a fluid flowing through the fitting assembly.

14. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indicator comprises circuitry configured to sense fluid leakage, and wherein the indication of fluid leakage includes a radio signal emitted by the circuitry of the indicator.

15. The fitting assembly of claim 14, further comprising a power source operably coupled to the detector.

16. The fitting assembly of claim 15 wherein the power source is a photovoltaic power source that is responsive to an external stimulus directed at the fitting assembly.

17. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indication of information includes a signal emitted by the indicator, wherein the signal includes information related to at least one of an amount of fluid leakage, the location of the fluid assembly, and the time of fluid leakage.

18. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion.

19. The fitting assembly of claim 18 wherein conduit is configured to transfer water, and wherein the hydrophilic portion of the leak detector concentrates portions of water that contact the indicator to magnify the presence of the water on the leak detector.

20. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the indicator includes titania.

21. The fitting assembly of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes a capillary assembly configured to concentrate at least a portion of the fluid.

22. A fitting assembly comprising:

a first member configured to receive a portion of a fluid conveying conduit;

a second member configured to engage the first member to secure the portion of the conduit within the first member, wherein the second member is axially aligned with the first member; and

a seal engaged with the first and second members, wherein the seal provides a visual indication of an axial position of the first member relative to the second member.

23. The fitting assembly of claim 22 wherein the seal comprises an annular ring positioned between the first and second members, and wherein the annular ring includes a first portion with a first color and a second portion with a second color different than the first color.

24. The fitting assembly of claim 23 wherein the first portion is located at an outer strip region extending circumferentially around the annular ring, and the second portion generally surrounds the first portion.

25. The fitting assembly of claim 23 wherein only the first color is visible when the first member is at a first axial position relative to the second member, and wherein both of the first and second colors are visible when the first member is axially spaced apart from the first axial position away from the second member.

26. The fitting assembly of claim 23 wherein only the first color is visible when the first member is at a fluid-tight connection location with reference to the second member, and wherein the first and second colors are visible when the first member is positioned at a non-fluid-tight connection location with reference to the second member.

27. The fitting assembly of claim 22, further comprising a leak detector carried by at least one of the first and second components, wherein the leak detector provides an indication of a leak from the fitting assembly if the leak detector comes into contact with a fluid flowing through the fitting assembly.

28. The fitting assembly of claim 27 wherein the indication of a leak includes a colored liquid released from the fitting assembly in response to the contact from the fluid flowing through the fitting assembly.

29. The fitting assembly of claim 27 wherein the leak detector reacts with the fluid flowing through the assembly and changes a color of the fluid that contacts the leak detector.

30. The fitting assembly of claim 27 wherein the indication of a leak includes a radio signal emitted from the leak detector.

31. The fitting assembly of claim 27 wherein the leak indicator is responsive to a stimulus directed at the leak indicator.

32. The fitting assembly of claim 31 wherein the stimulus includes at least one of visible radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and microwave radiation.

33. The fitting assembly of claim 22 wherein the seal is a first seal, and the fitting assembly further comprises:

a second seal axially spaced apart from the first seal;

a seal support member positioned proximate to and in contact with the second seal; and

a leak detector carried by at least one of the first and second members, wherein the leak detector is configured to provide an indication of the fluid leakage from the fitting assembly past the second seal.

34. A method of determining the early stages of a leak in a fitting assembly, the method comprising:

providing a conduit for conveying a fluid;

attaching a fitting assembly to the conduit, wherein the fitting assembly comprises a first component coupled to the conduit, a second component configured to engage the first component to retain the conduit within the first component, and a leak detector carried by at least one of the first and second components; and

flowing the fluid through the conduit and the fitting assembly, wherein if the fluid contacts the leak indicator the leak detector provides a warning in response to a fluid leakage from the fitting assembly.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising providing a stimulus to the leak detector while flowing the fluid through the conduit.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein providing the stimulus includes directing at least one of visible radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and microwave radiation at the leak detector, and wherein the stimulus magnifies the warning.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein the warning comprises a visual indication of the fluid leakage.

38. The method of claim 34 wherein attaching the fitting assembly with the leak detector further comprises providing a sensor circuit carried by the fitting assembly, and wherein the warning includes a radio signal emitted from the sensor circuit.

39. A fluid conduit system comprising:

a first conduit configured for conveying a fluid;

a second conduit configured for conveying the fluid; and

a fitting assembly configured for coupling the first conduit to the second conduit for conveying the fluid there between, wherein the fitting assembly comprises—

a first component configured to be attached to at least one of the first and second conduits;

a second component carried by the first component, wherein the second component engages the first component to retain the at least first and second conduit; and

a leak indictor carried by at least one of the first and second components, wherein the leak indicator provides a warning if the fluid leaks from the fitting assembly between the first and second conduits.

40. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 39 wherein:

the first component is a body having a first end portion opposite a second end portion, the first end portion being coupled to the first conduit and the second end portion being coupled to the second conduit;

the second component is a sleeve that is axially aligned with the body and disposed over at least a region of one of the first and second end portions.

41. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 39 wherein the leak indicator is positioned to contact at least one of the first and second conduits.

42. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 39 wherein the warning includes a visual indication that is externally accessible from the fitting assembly.

43. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 39 wherein the warning includes a radio signal transmitted from the fitting assembly to provide an alert to the fluid leakage.

44. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 39 wherein the warning is received in response to an interrogation stimulus directed at the fluid conduit assembly.

45. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 44 wherein the interrogation stimulus includes at least one of visible radiation, ultraviolet radiation, microwave radiation, infrared radiation, and a radio signal.

46. The fluid conduit assembly of claim 39 wherein the first and second conduits are a first set of conduits and the fitting assembly is a first fitting assembly associated with the corresponding first set of conduits, and wherein the fluid conduit assembly further comprises:

a plurality of sets conduits generally similar to the first set of conduits; and

a plurality of fitting assemblies, wherein each fitting assembly is generally similar to the first fitting assembly, and wherein individual fitting assemblies are associated with a corresponding set of conduits.