PIPING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 3,807,220 A
• Filed: 05/08/1972
• Issued: 04/30/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ronald Dunegan, Sidney Allan Ottenstein
• Original Assignee: Ronald Dunegan, Sidney Allan Ottenstein
• Inventors: Ottenstein, Sidney Allan, Dunegan, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Queisser, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roskos, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US05/251,078
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40.5,49.1,3,194R,194C 340/242 235/151.34
• US Class Current: 73/40.50R
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/005 using pigs or moles G01M3/246, G01M3/2823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/02 by using fluid or vacuum

Abstract

A system and method for determining any leakage of liquid from a pipe line extending between two remote stations. It employs metering pipe loops at each of the two stations together with means for launching spheres into the pipe loops and for determining the time required for each sphere to pass through the loop between points located between the inlet and outlet end portions thereof. Preferably the system and method employs communicating means between the two remote stations whereby data required to accurately determine leakage is made available at one station.

Claims

1. In a method for determining leakage of liquid from a pipe line extending between two remote stations (hereinafter termed stations A and B) while liquid is being continuously delivered into the line under pressure at station A and is being continuously delivered under pressure at station B, each station having a metering pipe loop of predetermined volume, the steps of causing the line liquid to flow through both loops, launching a sphere into the inlet end of each metering pipe and in sealing contact with the inner surface thereof whereby each sphere is flow propelled from the inlet end of the metering pipe with which it is associated to the outlet end thereof, measuring the time required for each sphere to travel between points located at the inlet and outlet ends of its associated metering pipe, and then comparing the measured times to determine any reduction in flow velocity at station B due to leakage of liquid from the pipe line between stations A and B.

2. A method as in claim 1 in which spheres at stations A and B are launched simultaneously into the respective metering loops.

3. A metHod as in claim 1 in which the two spheres are launched at successive timed intervals.

4. In a piping system having means for determining pipe leakage, a pipe extending between two remote stations A and B, the pipe being adapted to receive liquid under pressure at station A and to deliver liquid under pressure at station B, a metering pipe loop of predetermined volume at station A, a second metering pipe loop of predetermined volume at station B, connections between the inlet and outlet ends of both loops to the line whereby line flow normally occurs through both of the loops, interchange means connecting the inlet and outlet end portions of each metering loop, means associated with each interchange adapted to be actuated for launching a sphere from the interchange means into the inlet end of the associated pipe loop whereby the sphere is flow-propelled through the metering pipe while in sealing contact with the inner surface thereof, each interchange also serving to receive the sphere after being flow-propelled through the associated loop to the outlet end portion thereof, sphere detecting means at the inlet and outlet portions of each metering loop, and means for measuring the time for each of the spheres to pass through its associated loop between said sphere detecting devices, and means for comparing such measuring times to obtain an indication of leakage between the stations.

5. A system as in claim 4 having means for simultaneously launching the spheres at both stations.

6. A system as in claim 4 together with communication means between the stations serving to effect simultaneous launching of spheres at both stations A and B.

7. A system as in claim 4 together with communication means between stations A and B whereby the measured times for movement of the spheres through the pipe loops is communicated to one station for determining pipe leakage.