Detection apparatus
First Claim
1. A flexible sensor cable comprising(1) an elongate flexible core which consists of four separable flexible elongate elements which are twisted together, the center of each of said elongate elements following a twisted path which is different from the twisted path followed by the center of any of the other elongate elements, said elongate elements comprising(a) a first elongate sensing member which (i) comprises a first metal wire, and (ii) has an outer surface which is electrically conducting at each point along the sensor cable and is electrically connected to or forms a part of the first metal wire,(b) a second elongate sensing member which (i) comprises a metal wire, and (ii) has an outer surface which is electrically conducting at each point along the sensor cable and is electrically connected to or forms a part of the second metal wire, the second sensing member being spaced apart from the first sensing member at each point along the sensor cable, and(c) at least two elongate insulating members;
- each of the sensing members having a round cross-section having a first diameter, and at least one of the insulating members having a round cross-section having a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter; and
(2) an elongate, flexible braid which has apertures therein, which is composed of elongate flexible insulating members, and which surrounds and exerts a compressive force on the core.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting the occurrence of an event, e.g. the presence of a liquid leak. The apparatus includes an elongate flexible core consisting of elongate elements which are twisted together. The elongate elements comprise first and second sensing members, which each have an electrically conductive outer surface and are physically separated from one another, and at least two elongate insulating members. These elongate elements are covered by a flexible braid which exerts a compressive force on the core. In one aspect of the invention, the flexible braid undergoes a reversible change in appearance when exposed to electrolyte, indicating the location of a leak.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A flexible sensor cable comprising
(1) an elongate flexible core which consists of four separable flexible elongate elements which are twisted together, the center of each of said elongate elements following a twisted path which is different from the twisted path followed by the center of any of the other elongate elements, said elongate elements comprising (a) a first elongate sensing member which (i) comprises a first metal wire, and (ii) has an outer surface which is electrically conducting at each point along the sensor cable and is electrically connected to or forms a part of the first metal wire, (b) a second elongate sensing member which (i) comprises a metal wire, and (ii) has an outer surface which is electrically conducting at each point along the sensor cable and is electrically connected to or forms a part of the second metal wire, the second sensing member being spaced apart from the first sensing member at each point along the sensor cable, and (c) at least two elongate insulating members; -
each of the sensing members having a round cross-section having a first diameter, and at least one of the insulating members having a round cross-section having a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter; and (2) an elongate, flexible braid which has apertures therein, which is composed of elongate flexible insulating members, and which surrounds and exerts a compressive force on the core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A sensor which comprises
(1) a core which comprises first and second sensing members which are insulated from each other in the absence of electrolyte but which become electrically connected to each other if they are exposed to electrolyte, and (2) an outer member which surrounds the core, which is pervious to electrolyte, and which undergoes a reversible change in appearance when exposed to electrolyte.
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19. Apparatus for detecting the presence of an electrolyte which comprises
(A) a flexible sensor cable comprising (1) an elongate flexible core which consists of four separable flexible elongate elements which are twisted together, the center of each of said elongate elements following a twisted path which is different from the twisted path followed by the center of any of the other elongate elements, said elongate elements comprising: -
(a) a first elongate sensing member which (i) comprises a first metal wire, and (ii) has an outer surface which is electrically conducting at each point along the sensor cable and is electrically connected to or forms a part of the first metal wire, (b) a second elongate sensing member which (i) comprises a metal wire, and (ii) has an outer surface which is electrically conducting at each point along the sensor cable and is electrically connected to or forms a part of the second metal wire, the second sensing member being spaced apart from the first sensing member at each point along the sensor cable, and (c) at least two elongate insulating members; and
each of the sensing members having a round crosssection having a first diameter, and at least one of the insulating members having a round crosssection having a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter; and(2) an elongate, flexible braid which has apertures therein, which is composed of elongate flexible insulating members, and which surrounds and exerts a compressive force on the core; (B) a source of electrical power connected to the first and second sensing members, and (C) means for indicating when an electrical connection is made between the first and second sensing members of the sensor cable.
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Specification