Multi-functional leak detection instrument along with sensor mounting assembly and methodology utilizing the same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A leak detection instrument for monitoring gas leakage from a device, comprising:
- a. an instrument housing;
b. a gas sensor supported relative to said instrument housing and operative upon exposure to a selected gas to generate a corresponding gas detection input signal;
c. a gas pump disposed within said instrument housing and operative upon actuation to draw the selected gas toward said gas sensor;
d. an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor supported relative to said instrument housing and operative upon exposure to sound attendant with leakage of the selected gas to generate a corresponding sound detection input signal;
e. processing circuitry for receiving said gas detection input signal and said sound detection input signal and for producing at least one output signal in response thereto; and
f. an output device for producing perceptible output in response to said output signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A leak detection instrument may comprise a housing, a gas sensor supported relative to the housing, an AE sensor for generating a sound detection input signal upon exposure to gas leakage, processing circuitry for producing output signals, and an output device. The AE sensor may include an elongated mounting member, an AE sensor housing supported by the mounting member, and an AE sensor disposed therein. Improvements to leak detection instruments, an AE sensor mounting assembly and a method of monitoring a device to ascertain leakage of a target gas therefrom are also provided.
-
Citations
37 Claims
-
1. A leak detection instrument for monitoring gas leakage from a device, comprising:
-
a. an instrument housing; b. a gas sensor supported relative to said instrument housing and operative upon exposure to a selected gas to generate a corresponding gas detection input signal; c. a gas pump disposed within said instrument housing and operative upon actuation to draw the selected gas toward said gas sensor; d. an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor supported relative to said instrument housing and operative upon exposure to sound attendant with leakage of the selected gas to generate a corresponding sound detection input signal; e. processing circuitry for receiving said gas detection input signal and said sound detection input signal and for producing at least one output signal in response thereto; and f. an output device for producing perceptible output in response to said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An acoustic emissions (AE) sensor mounting assembly adapted for connection to a scientific instrument that includes an instrument housing, processing circuitry for receiving an input sound detection signal and producing an output signal in response thereto, and an output device for generating perceptible output in response to the output signal, said AE sensor mounting assembly comprising:
-
a. a mounting member formed as an elongated, tubular extension that is adapted to releaseably connect to the instrument housing, said mounting member formed to include a gas flow passageway between respective ends thereof; b. an AE sensor housing supported by said mounting member, said AE sensor housing including a pair of bored end caps joined together to substantially surround an AE sensor housing interior, and a through bore in communication with the gas flow passageway; c. an AE sensor disposed within said AE sensor housing and adapted to be placed in electrical communication with said processing circuitry, said AE sensor being a micro-phonic element mounted on a circuit board that is supported within the AE sensor housing interior, said AE sensor operative upon exposure to sound attendant with gas leakage from a device to generate the input sound detection signal for processing; and d. a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs mounted on said circuit board, said ultraviolet LEDs operative upon emission of ultraviolet light to cause an appropriately dyed target gas, or its residue, in a vicinity of said AE sensor housing to fluoresce. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. In a leak detection instrument having an instrument housing, an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor supported relative to said instrument housing that is operative upon exposure to sound attendant with leakage from a device to produce a corresponding sound detection input signal, AE sensor processing circuitry disposed within said instrument housing for receiving the sound detection input signal and producing an AE sensor output signal in response thereto, and output circuitry for generating associated AE sensor perceptible output in response to said AE sensor output signal, the improvement comprising:
-
a. a gas sensor supported within the instrument housing, said gas sensor operative upon exposure to a selected gas to generate a corresponding gas detection input signal; b. a pump supported within the instrument housing and operative upon actuation to draw air past said gas sensor; and c. gas sensor processing circuitry in electrical communication with said gas sensor, said gas sensor processing circuitry operative in response to said gas detection input signal to generate a corresponding gas detection output signal. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
-
-
29. A method of monitoring a device to ascertain leakage of a target gas there-from, comprising:
-
a. providing a gas sensor that is operative upon exposure to the target gas to generate a corresponding gas detection input signal; b. providing an AE sensor that is operative upon exposure to airborne sound emanating from the device that is attendant with leakage of the target gas to generate a corresponding sound detection input signal; c. visibly illuminating an area in a vicinity of an upstream location that is in a vicinity of a suspected leak; d. drawing the target gas along a gas flow passageway from the upstream location towards a downstream location, whereby the target gas encounters said gas sensor and said gas sensor generates said gas detection input signal; e. exposing said AE sensor to the airborne sound whereby said AE sensor generates said sound detection input signal; f. processing said gas detection input signal and said sound detection input signal to produce at least one output signal in response thereto; and g. displaying perceptible output in response to said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. A method of monitoring a device to ascertain leakage of a target gas therefrom, comprising:
-
a. providing a gas sensor that is operative upon exposure to the target gas to generate a corresponding gas detection input signal; b. providing an AE sensor that is operative upon exposure to airborne sound emanating from the device that is attendant with leakage of the target gas to generate a corresponding sound detection input signal; c. passing the target gas through a hydrophilic filter that is interposed between said gas sensor and said AE sensor; d. exposing said gas sensor to the target gas whereby said gas sensor generates said gas detection input signal; e. exposing said AE sensor to the airborne sound whereby said AE sensor generates said sound detection input signal; f. processing said gas detection input signal and said sound detection input signal to produce at least one output signal in response thereto; and g. displaying perceptible output in response to said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
-
Specification