Method for detecting and obtaining information about changers in variables
First Claim
1. An elongate sensor for use in a method for detecting and locating the presence of a liquid, the sensor comprising(1) a first elongate electrical connection means(i) which has a near end and a far end;
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(2) a second elongate electrical connection means(i) which has a near end adjacent the near end of the first connection means and a far end adjacent the far end of the first connection means,(ii) which comprises an elongate metal core electrically surrounded by a jacket of a conductive polymer composition which comprises a polymeric component and, dispersed in the polymeric component, a sufficient amount of a particulate conductive filler to render the composition conductive at ambient temperature;
(iii) whose resistance, from the near end to each point thereon, is characteristic of its length from the near end to that point, and(iv) which is electrically insulated from the first connection means between its near end and its far end in the absence of the liquid and which, in the presence of the liquid, becomes electrically connected to the first connection means, the connection being effective at a first point whose location is defined by the location of the point or points at which the liquid is present;
(3) a third elongate electrical connection means(i) which has a near end adjacent the near ends of the first and second connection means and a far end adjacent the far ends of the first and second connection means, and(ii) which is an insulated wire which is electrically insulated from said first and second electrical connection means between its near end and its far end in the absence of the fluid and in the presence of the fluid; and
(4) an elongate insulating core;
the first, second and third connection means being physically secured together; and
at least one of the first, second and third connection means being spirally wrapped around the core at a constant pitch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An elongate sensor for detecting and locating presence of a liquid, e.g. water or a hydrocarbon. The sensor includes first and second elongate members which are spaced apart from each other and each of which is a metal conductor covered by a conductive polymer; a third, insulated elongate conductor; and an elongate insulating core. At least one of the elongate members is helically wrapped around the core. Presence of the liquid at any point along the length of the sensor causes the first and second members to be electrically connected at that point, creating a system in which the potential drop down one of the members can be measured and the location of the connection determined.
130 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An elongate sensor for use in a method for detecting and locating the presence of a liquid, the sensor comprising
(1) a first elongate electrical connection means (i) which has a near end and a far end; - and
(ii) which comprises an elongate metal core electrically surrounded by a jacket of a conductive polymer composition which comprises a polymeric component and, dispersed in the polymeric component, a sufficient amount of a particulate conductive filler to render the composition conductive at ambient temperature; (2) a second elongate electrical connection means (i) which has a near end adjacent the near end of the first connection means and a far end adjacent the far end of the first connection means, (ii) which comprises an elongate metal core electrically surrounded by a jacket of a conductive polymer composition which comprises a polymeric component and, dispersed in the polymeric component, a sufficient amount of a particulate conductive filler to render the composition conductive at ambient temperature; (iii) whose resistance, from the near end to each point thereon, is characteristic of its length from the near end to that point, and (iv) which is electrically insulated from the first connection means between its near end and its far end in the absence of the liquid and which, in the presence of the liquid, becomes electrically connected to the first connection means, the connection being effective at a first point whose location is defined by the location of the point or points at which the liquid is present; (3) a third elongate electrical connection means (i) which has a near end adjacent the near ends of the first and second connection means and a far end adjacent the far ends of the first and second connection means, and (ii) which is an insulated wire which is electrically insulated from said first and second electrical connection means between its near end and its far end in the absence of the fluid and in the presence of the fluid; and (4) an elongate insulating core; the first, second and third connection means being physically secured together; and
at least one of the first, second and third connection means being spirally wrapped around the core at a constant pitch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for detecting and locating the presence of an electrolyte, which method comprises
(A) providing a system (a) which comprises a power source; -
a voltage-measuring device; and an elongate sensor for detecting sand locating the presence of an electrolyte, the sensor comprising (1) a first elongate electrical connection means (i) which has a near end and a far end; and (ii) which comprises an elongate metal core electrically surrounded by a jacket of a conductive polymer composition which comprises a polymeric component and, dispersed in the polymeric component, a sufficient amount of a particulate conductive filler to render the composition conductive at ambient temperature; (2) a second elongate electrical connection means (i) which has a near end adjacent the near end of the first connection means and a far end adjacent the far end of the first connection means, (ii) which comprises an elongate metal core electrically surrounded by a jacket of a conductive polymer composition which comprises a polymeric component and, dispersed in the polymeric component, a sufficient amount of a particulate conductive filler to render the composition conductive at ambient temperature; (iii) whose resistance, from the near end to each point thereon, is characteristic of its length from the near end to that point, and (iv) which is electrically insulated from the first connection means between its near end and its far end in the absence of the electrolyte and which, in the presence of the electrolyte, becomes electrically connected to the first connection means, the connection being effective at a first point whose location is defined by the location of the point or points at which the electrolyte is present; (3) a third elongate electrical connection means (i) which has a near end adjacent the near ends of the first and second connection means and a far end adjacent the far ends of the first and second connection means, and (ii) which is an insulated wire electrically insulated from said first and second electrical connection means between its near end and its far end in the absence of the electrolyte and in the presence of the electrolyte; and (4) an elongate insulating core; the first, second and third connection means being physically secured together, and at least one of the first, second and third connection means being spirally wrapped around the insulating core at a constant pitch; and (b) in which system, when an electrolyte is present, electrical connection is made between the first connection means and the second connection means through said conductive polymer composition; the connection to the second connection means being effective at a first point whose location is defined by the location of the point or points at which the liquid is present; the making of the connection resulting in the formation of a test circuit which comprises (i) that part of the second connection means which lies between the first point and a second point at the near end of the second connection means, (ii) the connection, and (iii) the power source, the power source causing an electrical current of known size to be transmitted between the first and second points on the second connection means; and the current and the second connection means being such that, by measuring the voltage drop between the first and second points, the spatial relationship between the first and second points can be determined; (B) monitoring the system continuously or on a schedule to determine when a said connection has been made, said test circuit being in existence while said monitoring is taking place if a said connection has been made; (C) when it is determined that a said connection has been made, using the voltage-measuring device to determine the voltage drop between the first and second points; and (D) obtaining the location of the first point from the measurement made in step (C). - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification