Line leak detector and method of using same
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting a leak in a fluid conduit line, comprising:
- a housing configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid conduit line;
a valve including a valve seat coupled to the housing and a valve element movable relative to the valve seat between an opened position wherein fluid is permitted to flow through the valve, and a closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve, the valve having a longitudinal axis;
a bypass line having a first end in fluid communication with a first side of the valve and a second end in fluid communication with a second side of the valve, the second end of the bypass line extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve;
a fluid flow detector operatively coupled to the bypass line and configured to detect the flow of fluid therethrough; and
a first mechanism configured to provide a net positive buoyant force on the valve element when the valve element and first mechanism are immersed in the fluid flowing through the fluid conduit line, the net positive buoyant force configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting a leak in a conduit line includes a housing in fluid communication with the line, a valve including a valve seat and a valve element movable relative to the seat between opened and closed positions, a bypass line around the valve, a flow detector coupled to the bypass line for detecting fluid flow therethrough, and a first mechanism configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position. The apparatus may further include a second mechanism separate from the first mechanism for maintaining the valve element in the closed position until a threshold pressure drop is reached. The first mechanism may operate on the principle of buoyancy and the second mechanism may operate on the principle of magnetism.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting a leak in a fluid conduit line, comprising:
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a housing configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid conduit line; a valve including a valve seat coupled to the housing and a valve element movable relative to the valve seat between an opened position wherein fluid is permitted to flow through the valve, and a closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve, the valve having a longitudinal axis; a bypass line having a first end in fluid communication with a first side of the valve and a second end in fluid communication with a second side of the valve, the second end of the bypass line extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve; a fluid flow detector operatively coupled to the bypass line and configured to detect the flow of fluid therethrough; and a first mechanism configured to provide a net positive buoyant force on the valve element when the valve element and first mechanism are immersed in the fluid flowing through the fluid conduit line, the net positive buoyant force configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for detecting a leak in a fluid conduit line, comprising:
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a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an interior cavity; a valve disposed at least in part in the interior cavity between the inlet and outlet, the valve including a valve seat coupled to the housing and a valve element movable relative to the valve seat between an opened position wherein fluid is permitted to flow through the valve, and a closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve, the valve having a longitudinal axis; a bypass line having a first end in fluid communication with a first side of the valve and a second end in fluid communication with a second side of the valve, the second end of the bypass line extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve; a fluid flow detector operatively coupled to the bypass line and configured to detect the flow of fluid therethrough; a first mechanism configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position; and a second mechanism separate from the first mechanism and configured to maintain the valve element in the closed position until a threshold pressure drop across the valve element is reached. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for detecting a leak in a fluid conduit line, comprising:
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a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an interior cavity; a valve disposed at least in part in the interior cavity between the inlet and outlet, the valve including a valve seat operatively coupled to the housing and a valve element movable relative to the valve seat between an opened position wherein fluid is permitted to flow through the valve, and a closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve, the valve having a longitudinal axis; a bypass line having a first end in fluid communication with a first side of the valve and a second end in fluid communication with a second side of the valve, the second end of the bypass line extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve; a fluid flow detector operatively coupled with the bypass line and configured to detect the flow of fluid therethrough; a first mechanism including a fluid float coupled to the valve element and configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position, the first mechanism configured to apply a substantially constant force to the valve element having a first magnitude; and a second mechanism including a magnet, the second mechanism configured to maintain the valve element in the closed position until a threshold pressure drop across the valve element is reached, the second mechanism configured to apply a force on the valve element at least when the valve element is adjacent the closed position, the force from the second mechanism having a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude of the force from the first mechanism.
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22. A dispensing system, comprising:
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a tank for holding a liquid; a dispensing unit for dispensing the liquid; a fluid conduit line providing fluid communication between the tank and the dispensing unit; and a leak detector in fluid communication with the fluid conduit line and configured to detect a leak therein, the leak detector comprising; a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an interior cavity; a valve disposed at least in part in the interior cavity between the inlet and outlet, the valve including a valve seat operatively coupled to the housing and a valve element movable relative to the valve seat between an opened position wherein liquid is permitted to flow through the valve, and a closed position wherein liquid is prevented from flowing through the valve, the valve having a longitudinal axis; a bypass line having a first end in fluid communication with a first side of the valve and a second end in fluid communication with a second side of the valve, the second end of the bypass line extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve; a fluid flow detector operatively coupled with the bypass line and configured to detect the flow of liquid therethrough; a first mechanism coupled to the valve element and configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position; and a second mechanism separate from the first mechanism and configured to maintain the valve element in the closed position until a threshold pressure drop across the valve element is reached. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification