LEAK DETECTOR AND SENSOR

• US 20130145826A1
• Filed: 06/08/2012
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Richarz, Werner Guenther, Yusuf, Shabbir, Myles, Andrea
• Granted Patent: US 9,772,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/49.1
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/14 Punching tools; Punching dies
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/003 Arrangement for testing of watertightness of water supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/02 Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/06 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 17/00 Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies measuring linear dimensions to determine volume G01B
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/00 Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/24 using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/243 for pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/225 used in level-measurement devices, e.g. for level gauge measurement
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes

Abstract

A leak detection sensor includes a transducer, the transducer including a base, a piezoelectric layer, and a conductive layer and at least two leads connected to the transducer. A method of making a leak detection sensor includes obtaining a transducer, the transducer including a base, a piezoelectric layer, and a conductive layer; and effecting a mounting hole such that the mounting hole is defined in the transducer. A jig includes a support and a punch.

Claims

1. A leak detection sensor comprising:

a transducer, the transducer defining a mounting hole, the transducer including

a base;

a piezoelectric layer; and

a conductive layer, and

at least two leads connected to the transducer;

wherein the mounting hole is defined in the base, the piezoelectric layer, and the conductive layer.

2. The leak detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the base is brass.

3. The leak detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the transducer is dampened.

4. The leak detection sensor of claim 3, wherein the transducer is dampened by a coating.

5. The leak detection sensor of claim 4, wherein the coating is one of Loctite RTV 5140 and Loctite Adhesive 5150.

6. The leak detection sensor of claim 3, wherein the transducer is dampened by an adhesive.

7. The leak detection sensor of claim 6, wherein the adhesive is coupled to at least one other leak detection sensor.

8. A method of making a leak detection sensor, the method comprising:

obtaining a transducer, the transducer including a base, a piezoelectric layer, and a conductive layer; and

effecting a mounting hole such that the mounting hole is defined in the transducer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the mounting hole is effected by a jig such that the mounting hole is predictably located in the leak detection sensor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the jig includes a support and a punch.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of effecting a mounting hole such that the mounting hole is defined in the transducer includes the steps of:

placing the transducer on the support; and

punching the transducer with the punch.

12. A jig for a leak detection sensor, the jig comprising:

a support, and

a punch.

13. The jig of claim 12, further comprising a cup.

14. The jig of claim 13, wherein the cup includes a bore.

15. The jig of claim 13, wherein the cup includes a cylindrical recess, the cylindrical recess sized to accept the support.

16. The jig of claim 12, wherein the support includes a bore.

17. The jig of claim 16, wherein the bore of the support includes an upper portion and a lower portion.

18. The jig of claim 12, wherein the support includes a cutout.

19. The jig of claim 18, wherein the support includes a relief edge.

20. The jig of claim 12, wherein the support includes a sensor recess.