Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of fluids
First Claim
1. A sensor, adapted to be disposed in a particular position for detecting the presence of a particular fluid, said sensor comprising a body and a fluid-sensitive member fixed to said body so as to be exposed to fluid in such position, said sensor exhibiting a remotely-monitorable physical characteristic capable of assuming one of two defined states, wherein the state of said characteristic is determined by a positional relationship between two or more components of said sensor, said positional relationship being maintained in a first condition by said member prior to exposure of said member to said particular fluid and being altered to a second condition upon exposure of said member to said particular fluid, whereupon said positional relationship between said two or more components is permanently altered, said sensor being arranged such that the state assumed by said physical characteristic can be detected remotely from said position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus particularly for monitoring leakage of a fluid contained within a double-walled tank into its interstitial space is disclosed. The sensor includes an element which is subject to physical change upon exposure to the material contained in the tank. The condition of the element is remotely monitored to determine leakage. In the case of an underground tank or oceangoing vessel, a second similar sensor sensitive to water may be employed to differentiate leakage into the interstitial space of the material in the tank from ground or sea water.
104 Citations
28 Claims
- 1. A sensor, adapted to be disposed in a particular position for detecting the presence of a particular fluid, said sensor comprising a body and a fluid-sensitive member fixed to said body so as to be exposed to fluid in such position, said sensor exhibiting a remotely-monitorable physical characteristic capable of assuming one of two defined states, wherein the state of said characteristic is determined by a positional relationship between two or more components of said sensor, said positional relationship being maintained in a first condition by said member prior to exposure of said member to said particular fluid and being altered to a second condition upon exposure of said member to said particular fluid, whereupon said positional relationship between said two or more components is permanently altered, said sensor being arranged such that the state assumed by said physical characteristic can be detected remotely from said position.
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22. A method of detecting the presence of a particular fluid in a particular position, comprising the steps of:
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disposing at least one discrete sensor at said position, said discrete sensor comprising a body and a tip, said tip comprising a quantity of radioactive material adhered to said body by an adhesive which is at least partly soluble in aid particular fluid, said sensor being arranged such that the radioactive characteristic of said sensor can be detected remotely from said position; and periodically monitoring said radioactive characteristic of said sensor employing a radiation detector adapted to be juxtaposed to said sensor to determine the presence or absence of said radioactive material on the tip thereof for detecting changes thereof responsive to exposure of said sensor to said fluid. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of detecting the presence of a particular fluid in a particular position, comprising the steps of:
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disposing at least one discrete sensor at said position, said discrete sensor comprising an element which responds to incident light in a particular manner being joined to said sensor by an adhesive which is at least partly soluble in said particular fluid, such that upon exposure of said sensor to said fluid said element is separated from said sensor, said sensor being arranged such that the response of said element to incident light can be detected remotely from said position, whereby the presence or absence of said element at the location of said sensor can be remotely determined; and periodically monitoring the condition of said sensor by illuminating said element and determining the presence or absence of said element responsive to said monitoring step. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A sensor assembly for monitoring the presence of a particular fluid at one or more spaced locations, comprising an optical fiber comprising a continuous core and a cladding over said core, at least said core being coated with an optically reactive coating comprising phosphor particles in a matrix of a substantially optically transparent material soluble in said fluid to be detected at spaced sensor locations along said fiber, and a detector means for monitoring the transmission of light along said fiber and for monitoring variation in said transmission of light over time.
Specification