PIPE AND CONDUIT WEAR DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

• US 20140366975A1
• Filed: 06/12/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Progressive Products, Inc. (Haniel Family)
• Original Assignee: Progressive Products, Inc. (Haniel Family)
• Inventors: Allison, Todd N., Hinton, Stephen T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,689,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 138/36
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 57/06 against wear F16L57/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/06 using electric or acoustic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/045 with electrical detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/047 with photo-electrical detection means, e.g. using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/165 by means of cables or similar elongated devices, e.g. tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/18 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49764 with testing or indicating

Abstract

A pipe section, such as a pipe elbow, coated with a ceramic coating containing a fusible link displaced within. The link includes two exposed testing leads which are connected to a sensor which sends a signal across the link. Over time, the pipe section and the coating are worn away by material flowing through the pipe. Eventually the fusible link is severed due to the wear, signaling the sensor to send an alert, notifying that the pipe section needs to be replaced. The method of manufacture includes coating a standard pipe section with a ceramic coating, displacing a fusible link therein, and curing the coating. The coating may contain any number of fusible links in any conceivable arrangement.

Claims

1. A pipe section comprising:

a piece of pipe at least partially coated in a wear-resistant coating;

a fusible link displaced within said wear-resistant coating, said fusible link including a first exposed test lead and a second exposed test lead located at a respective end of said fusible link;

a sensor electrically connected to each of said first and second exposed test leads, said sensor configured to send a constant signal across said fusible link; and

wherein said sensor is further considered to signal when said fusible link is broken.

2. The pipe section of claim 1, wherein said pipe section is a metal pipe elbow.

3. The pipe section of claim 1, wherein said wear-resistant coating is a ceramic coating.

4. The pipe section of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a multi-meter having a pair of leads, each lead connected to a respective first and second exposed test lead of said fusible link.

5. The pipe section of claim 4, wherein said constant signal comprises a measurement of resistance across said fusible link.

6. The pipe section of claim 1, further comprising:

a second fusible link displaced within said wear-resistant coating, said second fusible link including a third exposed test lead and a fourth exposed test lead located at a respective end of said second fusible link.

7. The pipe section of claim 6, further comprising:

wherein said sensor is electronically connected to each of said third and fourth exposed test leads, said sensor configured to send a constant signal across said fusible link; and

wherein said sensor is further considered to signal when said second fusible link is broken.

8. The pipe section of claim 6, further comprising:

a second sensor electronically connected to each of said third and fourth exposed test leads, said second sensor configured to send a constant signal across said fusible link; and

wherein said second sensor is further considered to signal when said second fusible link is broken.

9. A method of manufacturing a pipe section, the method comprising the steps:

placing a piece of pipe into a container containing a wear-resistant coating;

at least partially coating said pipe section with said wear-resistant coating;

displacing a fusible link within said wear-resistant coating such that a first end and a second end of said fusible link are exposed from said wear-resistant coating;

curing said wear-resistant coating such that it hardens;

electrically connecting a sensor to each of said first and second ends of said fusible link;

detecting a signal across said fusible link with said sensor; and

signaling an alert with said sensor upon a break in the signal across said fusible link.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said pipe section is a metal pipe elbow.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said wear-resistant coating is a ceramic coating.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said sensor is a multi-meter having a pair of leads, each lead connected to a respective first and second exposed test lead of said fusible link.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said constant signal comprises a measurement of resistance across said fusible link.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step:

displacing a second fusible link within said wear-resistant coating, said second fusible link including a respective first and second exposed end.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps:

electronically connecting said sensor to each of said first and second ends of said second fusible link, said sensor configured to send a constant signal across said fusible link; and

signaling an alert with said sensor upon a break in the signal across said second fusible link.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps:

electronically connecting a second sensor to each of said first and second ends of said second fusible link, said second sensor configured to send a constant signal across said fusible link; and

signaling an alert with said second sensor upon a break in the signal across said second fusible link.