Leak detection apparatus for a liquid circulation cooling system

• US 6,826,948 B1
• Filed: 10/09/2003
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bhatti, Mohinder Singh, Reyzin, Ilya, Enzinna, Donald John
• Primary Examiner(s): CYGAN, MICHAEL T
• Application Number:
  US10/684,069
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 73/405.R, 73/491, 73/495, 702/51, 702/551, 340/605, 138/104
• US Class Current: 73/40.50R
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/045 with electrical detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/188 for radiators

Abstract

A leak detection apparatus includes one or more detection devices that envelope the various pipe joints of a liquid circulation cooling system. In one approach, the detection devices include a pair of conductors separated by a wicking material impregnated with a crystalline salt that provides a low resistance electrical path between the conductors in the presence of a leak. In another approach, the detection devices include a pair of dissimilar metal mesh electrodes separated by an electrolyte-impregnated wicking material to form a water-activated battery that energizes an alarm in the presence of a leak. In either case, the electrodes and wicking material may be encased with a water-activated sealing material that hardens in the presence of a leak to contain the leakage.

Claims

1. Leak detection apparatus for a liquid cooling system having coolant pipes and at least one pipe joint, comprising:

a wicking material applied to an exterior periphery of said pipe;

an electrical detector including first and second spaced electrodes formed of different metals and disposed on said wicking material;

a crystalline electrolyte activating agent impregnated into said wicking material that is operative when leaked coolant soaks into said wicking material for forming a coolant activated battery that produces an electrical voltage and current flow between said first and second electrodes when coolant leaks into said wicking material; and

circuitry coupled to said electrical detector for indicating the presence of a coolant leak when said electrical voltage and current flow are produced.

2. The leak detection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a superincumbent layer of material surrounding said electrical detector and wicking material that is operative on contact with said leaked coolant for hardening to form a seal that contains said leaked coolant.

3. The leak detection apparatus of claim 2, wherein said coolant is water, and said superincumbent layer is hydrophobic polyurethane.

4. The leak detection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a dye material impregnated into said wicking material that is operative when leaked coolant soaks into said wicking material for dying said wicking material to provide a visual indicator of the leaked coolant.

5. The leak detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said first and second electrodes are radially spaced about said pipe; and

a portion of said wicking material is disposed between said first and second electrodes.

6. The leak detection apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of said first and second electrodes is a screen that allows said leaked coolant to soak into said portion of wicking material disposed between said first and second electrodes.

7. Leak detection apparatus for a liquid cooling system having coolant pipes and at least one pipe joint, comprising:

a wicking material applied to an exterior periphery of said pipe;

an electrical detector including first and second spaced electrodes disposed on said wicking material, said first and second electrodes being oppositely disposed about said pipe joint;

an activating agent impregnated into said wicking material that is operative when leaked coolant soaks into said wicking material for altering an electrical parameter of said electrical detector; and

circuitry coupled to said electrical detector for indicating the presence of a coolant leak in response to said altering of said electrical parameter.

8. The leak detection apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

said first and second electrodes clamp said wicking material around said coolant pipes.

9. Leak detection apparatus for a liquid cooling system having coolant pipes and at least one pipe joint, comprising:

a wicking material applied to an exterior periphery of said pipe;

an electrical detector including first and second spaced electrodes disposed on said wicking material, said first and second electrodes being in the form of plates oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said coolant pipe, with a portion of said wicking material being disposed between said first and second electrodes;

an activating agent impregnated into said wicking material that is operative when leaked coolant soaks into said wicking material for altering an electrical parameter of said electrical detector; and

circuitry coupled to said electrical detector for indicating the presence of a coolant leak in response to said altering of said electrical parameter.

10. The leak detection apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first and second electrodes are formed of different metals, said activating agent is a crystalline electrolyte, and said altered electrical parameter is an electrical voltage and current flow between said first and second electrodes.

11. The leak detection apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrical detector includes third and fourth electrodes formed of different metals, and electrically coupled to said first and second electrodes, respectively, to form a multi-cell coolant activated battery.

12. The leak detection apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first and second electrodes and said wicking material have a semi-cylindrical periphery that seats on said coolant pipe.

13. The leak detection apparatus of claim 12, wherein said electrical detector includes third and fourth plate electrodes and intervening wicking material having a semi-cylindrical periphery that seats on said coolant pipes about said coolant pipe in opposition to said first and second electrodes.

14. The leak detection apparatus of claim 13, wherein said first and second electrodes are electrically coupled to said third and fourth electrodes, respectively, to form a multi-cell coolant activated battery.

15. Leak detection apparatus for a liquid cooling system, comprising:

a metal foil member having a central opening, and adhesively secured to a component of said system;

an electrical detection including first and second spaced electrodes disposed on said foil member oppositely about said central opening;

a sheet of wicking material spanning the central opening of said foil member, and having marginal portions supported by said foil member;

an activating agent impregnated into said wicking material that is operative when leaked coolant at said component soaks into said wicking material for altering an electrical parameter of said electrical detector;

a superincumbent layer of material surrounding said electrical detector and wicking material that is operative on contact with said leaked coolant for hardening to form a seal that contains said leaked coolant; and

means coupled to said electrical detector for indicating the presence of a coolant leak in response to said altering of said electrical parameter.

16. The leak detection apparatus of claim 15,

wherein said superincumbent layer of material is hydrophobic polyurethane.