Pipe leak location detecting apparatus and repair method
First Claim
1. A pipe leak location detecting apparatus for determining the exact location of a leak in a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
- fluid storage means, said fluid storage means including an intake supply connection;
a pump, said pump for supplying a constant supply of water from said fluid storage means via said intake supply connection;
an output supply connection;
a coupling adapter;
a pressure gauge, in fluid communication with said coupling adapter;
a retractable string reel containing stored string and having a hand crank fastened to a finished grade of earthen surface;
and wherein when a retaining string is payed off of the retractable string reel during a time period and connected via its opposing end to a ball disposed within said pipe in such manner that the ball is free to move along pipe according to any fluid flow therein, with ball whose outer diameter is just slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe and the opposing end of the pipe, to allow for a section of pipe with a no flow condition formed beyond the lead location, said no flow condition is thereby created and causes the ball to stop at the leak when propelled by a flow from the pump.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus that allows for the testing of pipes, either underground or in other inaccessible locations, for leaks and determines the exact locations and severity of said leaks. By the use of a ball, attached to a retaining string, traveling through a piping system on the flow of liquid that is exiting through the pipe leak, a user is capable of determining the location of the leak within inches, even on long line piping systems. The invention utilizes a reservoir of liquid that is forced through the pipe under test using a pump. A calibrated reel of retaining string then provides the exact location of the leak. The pump to give forward movement to a fluid-driven ball being propelled along a pipe section while such pipe section is closed off at its distant end to form a no-flow condition and reservoir alone then allow the user to determine the severity of the leak as well as the option of repairing the leak from inside of said piping system from the remote location by use of a sealing compound mixed with water.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A pipe leak location detecting apparatus for determining the exact location of a leak in a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
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fluid storage means, said fluid storage means including an intake supply connection; a pump, said pump for supplying a constant supply of water from said fluid storage means via said intake supply connection; an output supply connection; a coupling adapter; a pressure gauge, in fluid communication with said coupling adapter; a retractable string reel containing stored string and having a hand crank fastened to a finished grade of earthen surface; and wherein when a retaining string is payed off of the retractable string reel during a time period and connected via its opposing end to a ball disposed within said pipe in such manner that the ball is free to move along pipe according to any fluid flow therein, with ball whose outer diameter is just slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe and the opposing end of the pipe, to allow for a section of pipe with a no flow condition formed beyond the lead location, said no flow condition is thereby created and causes the ball to stop at the leak when propelled by a flow from the pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeJames Deturck Mcguigan
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Original AssigneeJames Deturck Mcguigan
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InventorsMcGuigan, James DeTurck
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Primary Examiner(s)Chilcot, Richard
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Assistant Examiner(s)Wiggins, J David
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Application NumberUS09/022,269Time in Patent Office503 DaysField of Search73/49.1, 73/40, 73/40.5 T, 73/40.5 R, 73/37.9, 73/37, 73/49.8, 137/556US Class Current73/49.1CPC Class CodesG01M 3/2823 using pigs or moles traveli...
