Conduit breach location detector

• US 7,231,812 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2005
• Issued: 06/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael E. Lagare
• Original Assignee: Michael E. Lagare
• Inventors: Lagare, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rogers; David A.
• Application Number:
  US11/260,957
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40, 73/405.R, 73/46, 73/495, 735/92, 738/658, 151/040.3, 151/040.5, 15104061-104063
• US Class Current: 73/40.50R
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/005 using pigs or moles G01M3/246, G01M3/2823 take precedence

Abstract

A conduit breach location detector for detecting leaks in a conduit is disclosed. The conduit breach location detector includes a shuttle cage for connection to the conduit. A sounding shuttle is provided in the shuttle cage. A sounding cable may be connected to the sounding shuttle. A pressurization system is connected to the shuttle cage for pressurizing the shuttle cage and pushing the sounding shuttle through the conduit.

Claims

1. A conduit breach location detector for detecting leaks in a conduit, comprising:

a shuttle cage for connecting to the conduit;

a shuttle provided in said shuttle cage;

a rear pressure gauge attached to the shuttle cage for measuring the pressure in the rear of the shuttle;

a front pressure gauge attached to the shuttle cage for measuring the pressure in the front of the shuttle when said shuttle is in located in said shuttle cage;

a cable connected to said shuttle;

a length of said cable determines the location of the leak; and

a pressurization system connected to said shuttle cage for pressurizing said shuttle cage and pushing said shuttle though the conduit, wherein said rear and front pressure gauges provide pressure data indicative of a leak near said shuttle as said shuttle travels through said conduit.

2. The detector of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of fins carried by said shuttle.

3. The detector of claim 2 wherein said plurality of fins comprises a plurality of front fins and a plurality of rear fins.

4. The detector of claim 1 wherein said pressurization system comprises at least one inlet conduit connected to said shuttle cage and an inlet nipple provided in fluid communication with said at least one inlet conduit.

5. The detector of claim 4 further comprising at least one valve provided between said at least one inlet conduit and said inlet nipple.

6. The detector of claim 5 further comprising at least one pressure gauge provided in fluid communication with said at least one inlet conduit.

7. The detector of claim 1 wherein said shuttle comprises a shuttle housing and a tapered tip provided on said shuttle housing.

8. The detector of claim 7 further comprising an attachment rod carried by said shuttle housing and wherein said cable is connected to said attachment rod.

9. The detector of claim 1 wherein the shuttle comprises:

a shuttle housing having an interior and a housing tip provided on said shuttle housing;

a rod attachment wall provided in said housing interior;

a battery compartment within said shuttle and containing a power source;

wherein the rod attachment wall defines a wall of the battery compartment;

an attachment rod carried by said rod attachment wall; and

a transmitter carried by said shuttle housing and connected to said power source;

said transmitter provided a signal indicative of the location of said leak.

10. The detector of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of fins carried by said shuttle housing.

11. The detector of claim 10 wherein said plurality of fins comprises a plurality of front fins and a plurality of rear fins.

12. The detector of claim 9, comprising a receiver for receiving signals from said transmitter.

13. A conduit breach location detector for detecting leaks in a conduit, comprising:

a shuttle cage for connecting to the conduit;

a shuttle provided in said shuttle cage;

a shuttle provided in said shuttle cage;

a rear pressure gauge attached to the shuttle cage for measuring the pressure in the rear of the shuttle;

a front pressure gauge attached to the shuttle cage for measuring the pressure in the front of the shuttle when said shuttle is in located in said shuttle cage;

a cable connected to said shuttle;

a length of said cable determines the location of the leak;

a pressurization system having a pair of inlet conduits connected to said shuttle cage, a connecting conduit connecting said pair of inlet conduits, an inlet nipple connected to said connecting conduit; and

a pair of valves connected to said connecting conduit on respective sides of said inlet nipple for pressurizing said shuttle cage and pushing said shuttle through the conduit, wherein said rear and front pressure gauges provide pressure data indicative of a leak near said shuttle as said shuttle travels through said conduit.

14. The detector of claim 13 wherein said shuttle cage comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical cage housing having a cage housing interior.

15. The detector of claim 13 further comprising a pair of pressure gauges connected to said pair of inlet conduits, respectively.

16. The conduit breach location detector of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of fins carried by said shuttle.

17. The detector of claim 16 wherein said plurality of fins comprises a plurality of front fins and a plurality of rear fins.

18. The detector of claim 13 wherein said shuttle comprises a generally elongated, cylindrical shuttle housing having a housing interior and a tapered tip provided on said shuttle housing.

19. The detector of claim 18 further comprising an attachment rod carried by said shuttle housing and wherein said cable is connected to said attachment rod.

20. The detector of claim 19 wherein said attachment rod extends through said housing interior of said shuttle housing.