Leak detecting system for rotating union
First Claim
1. A leak detecting system for a rotary union, the rotary union comprising a shaft rotatably supported within a housing, the shaft having therein a first passage for conducting a fluid axially through the shaft, wherein the shaft terminates within the housing at a terminal end exposing the first passage, wherein the rotary union further comprises a first annular seal element affixed to the terminal end, wherein the first seal element coaxially abuts a second annular seal element that is affixed about a second passage that is stationary with respect to the housing, the first and second seal elements normally sealing against each other such that the fluid passes between the second and first passages, the leak detecting system comprising:
- a sensor element located within the housing and surrounding the shaft, the sensor element being configured to detect the fluid, if present, at any position surrounding the shaft; and
at least one electrical conduit connected to the sensor element for carrying a signal indicating that the sensor element has detected the fluid at any position around the shaft.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated leak detection system for a rotating union provides improved leak detection and user convenience. In an embodiment of the invention, the system provides a leak detection sensor located within the union, and in an embodiment of the invention the detection sensor is located beyond a back-up seal system. In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor and processing electronics are integral to the union housing. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the detection sensor is substantially symmetrically configured to detect leakage into a protected area regardless of orientation of the union. In an embodiment of the invention, the fluid being conveyed is electrically conductive and the detection sensor comprises an electrical conductivity sensor.
68 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A leak detecting system for a rotary union, the rotary union comprising a shaft rotatably supported within a housing, the shaft having therein a first passage for conducting a fluid axially through the shaft, wherein the shaft terminates within the housing at a terminal end exposing the first passage, wherein the rotary union further comprises a first annular seal element affixed to the terminal end, wherein the first seal element coaxially abuts a second annular seal element that is affixed about a second passage that is stationary with respect to the housing, the first and second seal elements normally sealing against each other such that the fluid passes between the second and first passages, the leak detecting system comprising:
a sensor element located within the housing and surrounding the shaft, the sensor element being configured to detect the fluid, if present, at any position surrounding the shaft; and
at least one electrical conduit connected to the sensor element for carrying a signal indicating that the sensor element has detected the fluid at any position around the shaft.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A rotating union with integrated leakage sensing system, the union comprising:
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a union housing; a rotatably supported within the housing and having a rotor axis, the rotor having therein a first passage for conducting a fluid axially through the rotor, the rotor terminating within the housing at a terminal end sealed to a second passage such that the fluid can normally pass between the first and second passages; at least one leakage sensor located within the housing to detect leakage of the fluid, each such leakage sensor substantially surrounding the rotor axis whereby it can detect leakage at any position around the shaft; and a visual indicator mounted on the housing and linked to the at least one leakage sensor to indicate the presence of leakage of the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A rotating union with integrated leakage sensing system, the union comprising:
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a union housing; a rotor rotatably supported within the housing, the rotor having therein a first passage for conducting a fluid axially though the rotor, the rotor terminating within the housing at a terminal end sealed to a second passage such that the fluid can normally pass between the first and second passages; and a sense signal processing module integral with the housing to produce an electrical signal indicating the presence of unwanted leakage of the fluid at any position around the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An orientation-independent leak detection system for rotary union having a shaft rotatably supported within a housing, the shaft having therein a first passage for conducting a fluid axially through the shaft, wherein the shaft terminates within the housing at a terminal end exposing the first passage, wherein the rotary union further comprises a first annular seal element affixed to the terminal end, wherein the first seal element coaxially abuts a second annular seal element that is affixed about a second passage that is stationary with respect to the housing, the first and second seal elements normally sealing against each other such that the fluid passes between the second and first passages, the orientation-independent leak detection system comprising:
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a single substantially circular sensor element located within the housing and being to locate to directly detect leaking fluid without gravitational flow at any position about the axis of the shaft; and at least one electrical conduit connected to the single substantially circular sensor element for carrying a signal indicating that the single substantially circular sensor element has detected fluid at any position around the shaft.
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Specification