Leak detection sensor system and method for double carcass hose

• US 7,387,012 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ContiTech USA, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Veyance Technologies Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Spaolonzi, Mauricio Pinto, Moreno, Airton Domingos, De Carvalho, Cesar Cosenza, Werneck, Marcelo Martins
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rogers; David A
• Application Number:
  US11/486,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20080011057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40, 73/405.R, 73 46- 498, 138/104, 340/605
• US Class Current: 73/49.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 33/01 adapted for hoses having a multi-layer wall
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/047 with photo-electrical detection means, e.g. using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/283 for double-walled pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence

Abstract

A fluid leak detection system mounts to a hose line segment of the type comprising at least an inner carcass and an outer containment carcass separated from the inner carcass by a collection space. The system includes a housing defined by sidewalls externally mountable to the hose line segment and having an internal housing chamber in fluid communication with the collection space. A system sensor casing mounts through a housing sidewall, the sensor casing having an axial bore and an external sensor casing portion positioned outside of the sensor housing and an internal sensor casing portion positioned inside of the sensor housing. The sensor casing includes a valve assembly that opens and closes responsive to respective coupling and decoupling of a sensor assembly with the external sensor casing portion. A first valve assembly sealing unit opens at or above a preset threshold pressure and closes at a pressure below the preset threshold pressure. A second valve assembly is positioned at an inward location within the axial bore, and opens responsive to coupling engagement between the sensor assembly and the external sensor casing portion and closes responsive to disengagement of the sensor assembly from the external sensor casing portion. A biasing spring biases the first and second sealing units into respective closed positions.

Claims

1. A fluid leak detection sensor and hose assembly comprising:

a hose comprising at least an inner carcass and an outer containment carcass separated from the inner carcass by a collection space;

a housing defined by sidewalls externally mountable to the hose line segment and having an internal housing chamber in fluid communication with the collection space;

an elongate sensor casing having an axial bore and mounting through at least one sensor housing sidewall, the sensor casing including an external sensor casing portion positioned outside of the sensor housing and an internal sensor casing portion positioned inside of the sensor housing, the sensor casing having a valve assembly within the axial bore operatively moveable between a closed position prohibiting fluid passage through the axial bore and an open position allowing fluid passage through an axial bore portion inside of the sensor housing; and

a sensor assembly coupling with the external sensor casing portion, the sensor assembly including fluid detection means for detecting the presence of fluid within the sensor casing axial bore.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is one of a plurality of alternatively configured sensor assemblies, each assembly interchangeably coupling with the external sensor casing portion.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensor casing valve assembly moves into the open position responsive to a coupling engagement of the sensor assembly with the external sensor casing portion.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the sensor assembly selectively uncouples from the external sensor casing portion and the sensor casing valve assembly moves into the closed position responsive to an uncoupling of the sensor assembly from the external sensor casing portion.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve assembly includes biasing means for biasing the valve assembly into the closed position.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein the sensor assembly in coupled engagement with the external sensor casing portion places the valve assembly into the open position.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve assembly admits fluid at or above a preset threshold pressure into the axial bore.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the valve assembly includes biasing means for biasing the valve assembly into the closed position.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the sensor assembly in coupled engagement with the external sensor casing portion places the valve assembly into the open position.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the sensor assembly fluid detection means comprises at least one optical fiber positioned to contact fluid within the axial bore.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve assembly comprises a first sealing unit positioned at an internal end of the axial bore, the first sealing unit opening from a closed position to admit fluid at or above a preset threshold pressure into the axial bore and closing to block fluid below the preset threshold pressure from admittance into the axial bore.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the valve assembly comprises a second sealing unit positioned at an inward location within the axial bore, the second sealing unit opening from a closed position to admit fluid passage along the axial bore when the sensor assembly is coupled with the external sensor casing portion and closing to block fluid passage along the axial bore when the sensor assembly is uncoupled from the external sensor casing portion.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the valve assembly further includes biasing means for biasing the first and second sealing units into respective closed positions.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the valve assembly biasing means comprises a spring positioned axially within the axial bore.

15. The assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first and second sealing units comprising first and second balls positioned within the axial bore on opposite respective ends of the spring, the first ball sealing against a forward annular shoulder defining a forward end of the axial bore and the second ball sealing against a rearward annular shoulder defining an internal portion of the axial bore, the spring in compression between the first and second balls biasing the first and second balls against respective annular shoulders.

16. A fluid leak detection sensor and hose assembly comprising:

a hose comprising at least an inner carcass and an outer containment carcass separated from the inner carcass by a collection space;

a housing defined by sidewalls externally mountable to the hose line segment and having an internal housing chamber in fluid communication with the collection space;

an elongate sensor casing having an axial bore and mounting through at least one sensor housing sidewall, the sensor casing including an external sensor casing portion positioned outside of the sensor housing and an internal sensor casing portion positioned inside of the sensor housing, the sensor casing having a valve assembly within the axial bore operatively moveable between a closed position prohibiting fluid passage through the axial bore and an open position allowing fluid passage through an axial bore portion inside of the sensor housing; and

a sensor assembly coupling with the external sensor casing portion, the sensor assembly including fluid detection means for detecting the presence of fluid within the sensor casing axial bore,

wherein the sensor casing valve assembly moves into the open position responsive to coupling engagement between the sensor assembly and the external sensor casing portion and moves into the closed position responsive to an uncoupling of the sensor assembly from the external sensor casing portion.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the valve assembly comprises a first sealing unit positioned at a remote end of the axial bore, the first sealing unit opening from a closed position at or above a preset threshold pressure into the axial bore and closing at a pressure below the preset threshold pressure;

and the valve assembly comprises a second sealing unit positioned at an inward location within the axial bore, the second sealing unit opening responsive to coupling engagement between the sensor assembly and the external sensor casing portion and closing responsive to disengagement of the sensor assembly from the external sensor casing portion.

18. The assembly according to claim 17, further comprising biasing means for biasing the first and second sealing units into respective closed positions.

19. A method for detecting leaks in a hose line segment of the hose type comprising at least an inner carcass and an outer containment carcass separated from the inner carcass by a collection space, the method comprising:

mounting a housing externally to the hose line segment, the housing defined by sidewalls and having an internal housing chamber in fluid communication with the collection space;

mounting an elongate sensor casing through at least one sensor housing sidewall, the sensor casing having an axial bore and including an external sensor casing portion positioned outside the sensor housing and an internal sensor casing portion positioned inside of the sensor housing;

locating a valve assembly within the sensor casing, the valve assembly operatively moving between a closed position prohibiting fluid passage through the axial bore and an open position allowing fluid passage through the axial bore; and

coupling a sensor assembly with the external sensor casing portion, the sensor assembly including fluid detection means for detecting the presence of fluid within the sensor casing axial bore and means for moving the valve assembly into the open position responsive to coupling engagement between the sensor assembly and the external sensor casing portion and means for moving the valve assembly into the closed position responsive to an uncoupling of the sensor assembly from the external sensor casing portion.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the valve assembly comprises a first sealing unit positioned at a remote end of the axial bore, the first sealing unit opening from a closed position at or above a preset threshold pressure into the axial bore and closing at a pressure below the preset threshold pressure;

and the valve assembly comprises a second sealing unit positioned at an inward location within the axial bore, the second sealing unit opening responsive to coupling engagement between the sensor assembly and the external sensor casing portion and closing responsive to disengagement of the sensor assembly from the external sensor casing portion; and

biasing means for biasing the first and second sealing units into respective closed positions.