9713results about "Detection of fluid at leakage point" patented technology

Improved integrity test, priming sequence and bag height detection tests, apparatuses and methods for a medical fluid delivery system are provided. The integrity test includes a plurality of air pressure decay tests, using positive and negative pressure. The priming sequence includes pumping fluid through a portion of a patient line to be primed to overcome air in the line and other potential obstacles. The head height test measures a pressure build-up or drop-off within a pump chamber of a membrane pump. The measured pressure corresponds to a head height between a fluid supply and the pump or between the pump and a fluid drain. A determination is made whether the corresponding head height is acceptable.

An elongated, flexible, flat conductive tape can be applied to any surface to be monitored for water or other liquid leaks, and electrically connected to any suitable type of conventional electrically operated leak detector. A pair of parallel spaced conductors is disposed on one side of the tape that run longitudinally along the length thereof. The conductors are spaced from one another by a small distance to insure that only a small quantity of water or other conductive liquid is necessary to bridge the gap between the conductors, and create an electrical short circuit or substantial impedance reduction between the two. In addition, the conductors are preferably as flat as possible to insure that liquid can freely flow transversely across them without being impeded thereby. Both of these features insure that the detector tape can sense even very small quantities of liquid, thereby generating an early warning of a leak condition before extensive damage results. A liquid responsive visible indication is also provided on the tape to identify the location along the tape where water or other leaking liquid has come in contact therewith, and eliminates the need for using an expensive sensing device to locate the source of a leak.

A method for determining a burst pipe that requires immediate feeding-valve closing using acoustic and / or vibration sensors coupled to the pipe lor detecting signals, a microprocessor for analyzing signals from said sensors in real-time, a memory coupled to said microprocessor for storing data, including digital signatures acoustic and / or vibration signatures, as well as an actuator electrically coupled to said microprocessor and mechanically coupled to said feeding-valve. When the sensor signals match stored leak-signatures or when a persistent sensor signal produces no match, the system of the present invention initiates a valve closing. To improve detection, signals from other sensors, i.e. water sensors, smoke detectors, heat sensors or acoustic / vibration sensors mounted on other pipes are also used. Some of the said systems have IP addresses and can communicate over the Internet or wirelessly with others.

A wireless sensor system is installed inside pipelines using sensors and wireless transceivers that are small, low-cost, and rugged. The objective is monitoring the pipeline and recommending maintenance and repair at specific locations in the pipeline. Maintenance includes detection of leaks and prevention of catastrophic failures as a result of internal corrosion or other damage, such as third party mechanical damage, using multitude of sensors. After establishing the wireless sensor network the network is activated so the sensor can make measurements periodically or continuously using instructions transmitted via the base station. The sensor data from the various sensors are transmitted inside the pipe and extracted to access points in the pipeline to a remote computer that stores the data within the computer memory. The sensed information can be used for monitoring as well as analysis using a recommendation engine to provide maintenance and repair alerts.

Improved integrity test, priming sequence and bag height detection tests, apparatuses and methods for a medical fluid delivery system are provided. The integrity test includes a plurality of air pressure decay tests, using positive and negative pressure. The priming sequence includes pumping fluid through a portion of a patient line to be primed to overcome air in the line and other potential obstacles. The head height test measures a pressure build-up or drop-off within a pump chamber of a membrane pump. The measured pressure corresponds to a head height between a fluid supply and the pump or between the pump and a fluid drain. A determination is made whether the corresponding head height is acceptable.

Methods of and systems for performing leak checks of gas-phase reactor systems are disclosed. Exemplary systems include a first exhaust system coupled to a reaction chamber via a first exhaust line, a bypass line coupled to a gas supply unit and to the first exhaust system, a gas detector coupled to the bypass line via a connecting line, a connecting line valve coupled to the connecting line, and a second exhaust system coupled to the connecting line. Methods include using the second exhaust system to exhaust the connecting line to thereby remove residual gas in the connecting line that may otherwise affect the accuracy of the gas detector.

A method of monitoring integrity of a pump. The method may include recording timing information of the pump during operation while simultaneously sampling acoustic data with a high speed equidistant acquisition mechanism or at a rate based on the speed of the pump in operation. The acquisition of acoustic data is followed by evaluation thereof. Such techniques may improve resolution of acquired data while substantially increasing processor capacity for evaluation. A pump integrity monitor for carrying out such techniques is also described.

Supervised wireless leak detection system, having a leak detection sensor unit, capable of transmitting a uniquely coded signal in response to a detected leak, a supervised wireless valve control transceiver unit having a receiver, capable of receiving said uniquely coded signal, and a transmitter for feeding the uniquely coded signal within the system, a valve shut-off mechanism in communication with said valve control transceiver unit said valve shut-off mechanism having a motor attached to a valve, said motor creating a rotation pulse used to close and open said valve, and a processor having an electronic circuitry containing sensor(s), detecting said motor rotation pulse count during a motorized valve closure or open process. Said processor functions in a setup process to memorize (learn) said motor rotation pulse count, required, to close and or to open the valve. Wherein said processor upon receipt of said uniquely coded signal in response to a detected leak, applies power to the motor to close the valve, the motor controlled to stop turning the valve in response to a processor received motor rotation pulse count number, substantially equal to a previously stored number needed to close or open said valve. A digital, voice, or SMS text message phone dialer is add to dispatch the detected leak signals, and notify monitoring personnel supervised system operation, end provide user access to turn on or off a valve(s) from a remote location(s).

One of the most significant safety concerns in the automation of extracorporeal blood treatments such as dialysis is the risk of blood leakage. Extracorporeal blood treatment systems draw blood at such a high rate that a loss of integrity in the blood circuit can be catastrophic. There are a number of mechanisms for detecting and preventing leaks and / or air infiltration, but none is perfect. According to the present invention, multiple inputs are combined to provide greater security against leakage and / or air infiltration by providing sensors for external presence of liquid (plasma, replacement fluid, blood, etc.) outside a fluid circuit and infiltration of air or bubbles into the fluid circuit.

The system and method for detecting water and / or gas leaks by monitoring usage patterns is described. In one embodiment, the existence of a leak is detected by looking for usage patterns wherein water or gas is always being used, at least at a low rate. A leak is indicated if usage does not drop to zero, at least for a period of time, during a given time interval (e.g., during a 24-hour period). The severity of the leak is indicated by the minimum amount of usage during the given time period. In one embodiment, the leak detection system is provided in connection with an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.

Process and apparatus for sensing possible leaks in a pipeline. The pipeline is monitored continuously by acoustic monitoring means, and acoustic events indicating a possible leak are noted. The pipeline is also equipped with temperature monitoring means, and is monitored for temperature either continuously, periodically or on demand. A leak is deemed probable at any location where there is an acoustic event indicating a possible leak, and at approximately the same time, a temperature difference greater than a pre-chosen amount between that location and adjacent locations

There is provided a method for detecting and locating leaks in a pipeline network in real-time. A flow model is provided that characterizes flow behavior for at least one of steady and unsteady states respectively corresponding to an absence and a presence of model leaks in the pipeline network, the flow model including a leaking factor kL. A deterministic model is provided to evaluate at least one of a leak status and a no leak status relating to the pipeline network using deterministic criteria. The deterministic criteria is based on a Liapunov Stability Theory. A deviation matrix is constructed based on the flow model and the deterministic model to generate eigenvalues. A leak alarm is generated when at least one of the eigenvalues is less than a predetermined value.

A method of visually detecting a leak of a chemical emanating from a component. The method includes: aiming a passive infrared camera system towards the component; filtering an infrared image with an optical bandpass filter, the infrared image being that of the leak; after the infrared image passes through the lens and optical bandpass filter, receiving the filtered infrared image with an infrared sensor device; electronically processing the filtered infrared image received by the infrared sensor device to provide a visible image representing the filtered infrared image; and visually identifying the leak based on the visible image. The passive infrared camera system includes: a lens; a refrigerated portion including therein the infrared sensor device and the optical bandpass filter (located along an optical path between the lens and the infrared sensor device). At least part of a pass band for the optical bandpass filter is within an absorption band for the chemical.

A moisture detection sensor that detects liquid, comprising: a resonant circuit composed of an antenna coil 53 and a capacitor C; and a noncontact tag composed of covering materials 51 and 57 that cover the resonant circuit, wherein the capacitor C has a pair of electrodes 52 and 56 and a dielectric 55 interposed between the electrodes 52 and 56, and the covering material 57 contains a through hole 57a that allows the liquid to infiltrate into the dielectric 55 from an outside.

A semiconductor processing reactor comprises a reaction chamber with a gas exhaust and a mechanical seal at one end of the chamber. The seal seals off the chamber from the ambient environment and is purged with gas to prevent diffusion of ambient gases into the reaction chamber. Because the purge gas can diffuse through the seal into the reaction chamber, the purge gas is chosen based upon the process gas and the location of the seal and exhaust so that the molecular weight of the purge gas causes the purge gas, by the force of gravity or buoyancy, to remain in the portion of the reaction chamber containing the seal and the gas exhaust. Advantageously, keeping the purge gas at the same end of the chamber as the gas exhaust minimizes dilution of the process gas with the purge gas, thereby preventing the purge gas from detrimentally effecting process results.

A method for locating gas leaks from underground gas pipelines in which a first acoustic sensor having a first signal output is positioned in ground disposed substantially above or at a distance from the underground gas pipeline. At least one second acoustic sensor having a second signal output is positioned in the ground at a plurality of locations substantially above the underground gas pipeline. The output signals from the acoustic sensors are measured for each location of the second acoustic sensor and the signals are adaptively filtered to remove common noise signal components. The statistical minima of these rms voltages are determined for both the first output signal and the adaptively filtered second output signals and the differences determined. The location of the second acoustic sensor corresponding to the largest positive said difference is the location closest to the leak site.

A system and a method for the detection of a water leak. An alarm can be sounded and a valve closed to shut off a water supply when a wireless sensor is in the presence of water. Exemplary embodiments of the wireless sensor can be battery supplied and mounted to a wall or a floor. In fact, a magnetic latching valve can be used to minimize power consumption, and allow the entire system to be battery supplied as needed. Wireless sensors according to the present invention can be disposed in homes or commercial buildings, including, e.g., under hot water tanks, sinks, A / C drip pans, ice makers, washer machines, and / or toilets.

A building monitoring computer system for monitoring building integrity may be provided. Various types of sensors may be embedded throughout or within certain portions of different types of building or construction material making up the building, such as within roofing, foundation, or structural materials. The sensors may be in wireless communication with a home controller. The sensors may be water, moisture, temperature, vibration, or other types of sensors, and may detect unexpected or abnormal conditions within the home. The sensors and / or home controller may transmit alerts to a mobile device of the home owner associated with the unexpected condition, and / or that remedial actions may be required to repair the home or mitigate further damage to the home. The sensor data may also be communicated to an insurance provider remote server to facilitate the insurance provider communicating insurance-related recommendations, updating insurance policies, or preparing insurance claims for review for home owners.

PCT No. PCT / US95 / 04262 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 21, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 21, 1995 PCT Filed Apr. 6, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96 / 07088 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 7, 1996A method of introducing a leak detection dye into a closed refrigeration system through circulation of the refrigerant. A predetermined amount of the leak detection dye, which is soluble in the refrigerant and the system lubricant, is installed in a component of the refrigeration system, such as in a desiccant bag placed in a dehydrator. The leak detection dye may come in various forms including as a leak detection additive having the leak detection dye implanted on and absorbed into a host swatch of a substrate material, as a powder, as a solid pellet of powdered dye concentrate and inert ingredients, or as a slurry. The refrigeration system is assembled, charged and operated, by which the refrigerant and system lubricant flowing through the component, such as a desiccant bag in the dehydrator, and mixes the dye with the refrigerant and system lubricant.

The invention provides a system for leak detection of a fluid in a pipe network. The system includes flow meters, and vibration detectors adapted to be attached to a pipe at a location in the pipe network. A processor analyzes signals generated by the flow meters and vibration detectors to identify the presence of one or more leaks in the pipe network. The invention also provides a method for detecting and localizing leaks in a pipeline network, and a device comprising a flow meter integral with a vibration detector for use in the system of the invention.

A method and apparatus for remote laser-based detection of gas at levels exceeding natural background levels preferably utilizing wavelength modulated tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. In a preferred embodiment, background gas and noise are estimated using statistical moving average and variance calculations. Gas concentration length measurements resulting from the spectroscopy are preferably compared in real-time or near-real-time to the sum of the background and noise estimates and an alarm limit to detect gas presence of concern. Gas levels exceeding this detection threshold are preferably indicated by a prolonged output tone with a pitch indicative of the magnitude of the gas measurement, and gas levels below the detection threshold are preferably indicated by silence.

A wireless sensor network is installed inside pipelines using sensors and wireless transceivers that are small, low-cost, and rugged. The objective is monitoring the pipeline and recommending maintenance and repair at specific locations in the pipeline. Maintenance includes detection of internal corrosion using sensors that can result in leaks. Furthermore detection of leaks for prevention of catastrophic failures as a result of damage, such as third party mechanical damage. After establishing the wireless sensor network, the network is activated so the sensors can make measurements periodically or continuously using instructions transmitted via a base station. The sensor data from the various sensors are transmitted inside the pipe and extracted to access points in the pipeline to a remote computer that stores the data within the computer. The sensed information can be used for monitoring as well as analysis using a recommendation engine to provide maintenance and repair alerts.

A system is described that is suitable for use in determining the location of leaks of gases having a background concentration. The system is a point-wise backscatter absorption gas measurement system that measures absorption and distance to each point of an image. The absorption measurement provides an indication of the total amount of a gas of interest, and the distance provides an estimate of the background concentration of gas. The distance is measured from the time-of-flight of laser pulse that is generated along with the absorption measurement light. The measurements are formated into an image of the presence of gas in excess of the background. Alternatively, an image of the scene is superimosed on the image of the gas to aid in locating leaks. By further modeling excess gas as a plume having a known concentration profile, the present system provides an estimate of the maximum concentration of the gas of interest.

A system and method for predicting structural failure of a wall of a fluid containment vessel, such as a hydraulic hose or other type of pressurized conduit of types used in mobile machinery, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and process equipment. The wall of the vessel has an innermost layer for contact with the fluid contained by the vessel, and an outermost layer parallel with the innermost layer. The system includes strain-sensing means between the innermost and outermost layers and comprising at least one conductor parallel to the innermost layer of the wall. The system and method entail sensing changes in an electrical property associated with the at least one conductor resulting from distortion of the wall of the vessel causing distortion of the at least one conductor.

A system is provided to monitor for moisture at separate locations interior to exterior structure cladding. The system includes a plurality of moisture sensors, at least one of which is disposed at each location to be monitored. Upon activation by the presence of moisture at its respective said location, the moisture sensor generates a signal. The system may also include a receiver in communication with the moisture sensors, to provide an identifier of the location of an activated moisture sensor. The moisture sensors and receiver may communicate via wiring, or wirelessly. The system so provided may be disposed within a single structure, or within a plurality of structures, with the receiver disposed within such a structure or remote to any such monitored structure.