Apparatus and method for leak detection
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detection of a leak from a tankcar vessel and for reducing interference or false alarms, the apparatus comprising:
- a rigid shroud fixed to the tankcar vessel, the shroud having a first chamber, the first chamber housing a device forming communication with a second chamber of the tankcar vessel, the second chamber containing a substance;
a first chemical sensor in communication with the first chamber of the shroud;
a second chemical sensor positioned in communication with an ambient environment surrounding the shroud;
a monitoring circuit in communication with the first chemical sensor and the second chemical sensor, wherein the monitoring circuit monitors and compares a chemical sensor output of each of the first and second chemical sensors to reduce at least one of interference and false alarms; and
an information unit in communication with the monitoring circuit, the information unit emitting a signal in response to an output signal emitted from the monitoring circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring system for chemical shipments having an apparatus for detection of a leak from a shipment vessel having a shroud. A first chemical sensor is in communication with a chamber of the shroud for detecting the presence of a substance leaking from the vessel. A second sensor is in communication with the ambient environment surrounding the shroud. A monitoring circuit in communication with the first chemical sensor and the second chemical sensor monitors a first chemical sensor output and a second chemical sensor output and signals an information unit dependant on the increase of at least one of the first and second chemical sensors. The information unit emits a signal to an alarm or output device in response to an increase of the magnitude and/or rate of increase of at least one of the first chemical sensor output and the second chemical sensor output. A physical sensor can be in combination with the monitoring circuit. The information unit can be a remote information unit to which the monitoring circuit signals by wireless communication means.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detection of a leak from a tankcar vessel and for reducing interference or false alarms, the apparatus comprising:
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a rigid shroud fixed to the tankcar vessel, the shroud having a first chamber, the first chamber housing a device forming communication with a second chamber of the tankcar vessel, the second chamber containing a substance;
a first chemical sensor in communication with the first chamber of the shroud;
a second chemical sensor positioned in communication with an ambient environment surrounding the shroud;
a monitoring circuit in communication with the first chemical sensor and the second chemical sensor, wherein the monitoring circuit monitors and compares a chemical sensor output of each of the first and second chemical sensors to reduce at least one of interference and false alarms; and
an information unit in communication with the monitoring circuit, the information unit emitting a signal in response to an output signal emitted from the monitoring circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for detection of a leak from a tankcar vessel and for reducing interference or false alarms, the apparatus comprising;
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a rigid shroud fixed to the tankcar vessel, the shroud having a first chamber, the first chamber housing a device forming communication with a second chamber of the tankcar vessel, the second chamber containing a substance;
a first chemical sensor in communication with the first chamber of a shroud;
a second chemical sensor positioned in communication with an ambient environment surrounding the shroud;
a monitoring circuit in communication with the first chemical sensor and the second chemical sensor, wherein the monitoring circuit monitors and compares a chemical sensor output of each of the first and second chemical sensors to reduce at least one of interference and false alarms; and
a remote information unit in communication with the monitoring circuit, the remote information unit including a central processing unit;
wherein the central processing unit is accessible by at least one of an Internet connection and an output device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for detecting a leak from a tankcar vessel and for reducing interference or false alarms, the method comprising,
exposing a first chemical sensor to a first chamber of a rigid shroud fixed to the tankcar vessel, the shroud housing a device forming communication with a second chamber of the tankcar vessel, the second chamber containing a substance; -
exposing a second chemical sensor to an ambient environment outside the shroud of the vessel;
monitoring a first chemical sensor output of the first chemical sensor with a monitoring circuit;
monitoring a second chemical sensor output of the second chemical with the monitoring circuit;
detecting at least one of a first increase of the first chemical sensor output and a second increase of the second chemical sensor output;
comparing the first chemical sensor output and the second chemical sensor output to reduce at least one of interference and false alarms; and
signaling an information unit in communication with the monitoring circuit. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
determining a difference between a first rate of the first increase and a second rate of the second increase;
wherein the signal is dependant on the difference between the first rate and the second rate.
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30. The method of claim 29, wherein the information unit comprises at least one of a local information unit positioned in proximity to the shroud of the vessel and a remote information unit in wireless communication with the monitoring circuit.
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31. The method of claim 28, further comprising:
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exposing a physical sensor to one of the first chamber and the ambient environment; and
monitoring a physical sensor output of the physical sensor with the monitoring circuit.
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Specification