Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
LEAKAGE DETECTION AND COLLECTION CUFF
Technical Field
The subject invention i5 in the fields of apparatus for
detection of fluid leaks and collection of leaked fluid. More
specifically, it is in the fields of such apparatus in which
the collection is made by absorption of the fluid by specific
material and the detection is made by observing discoloration
of the absorbing material by the absorbed fluid. Still more
specifically the invention is in the field of such apparatus
used for detecting leaks in and collection of fluid leaked from
conduits used in transferring fluid to and from large
containers such as ground based tanks, tanker ships, or any
type of tanker vehicle.
Backaround Art
There is prolific prior art in the general field, including
disposable diapers and the garments worn by incontinent people.
The U.S. Patents listed below are a sample of patents directed0 to apparatus to be strapped around pipe joints to protect them.
2,708,123 4,216,980
3,859,451 4,489,960
4,106,428 4,607,866
Patent 4,106,428 covers a shield for a pipe joint. The
shield has a transparent outer covering and includes a
chemically sensitive material which provides evidence of
leakage, visible through the outer covering. However, the
sensitive material is integrated with the rest of the shield
(ie: not replaceable) so that the entire shield must be
replaced once it has been used on a leaking joint. Also, the
material does not absorb any of the leakage, thereby not
allowing time and opportunity for discovering the leakage
before leakage outside the covering has occurred.
Therefore, the primary objective of the subject invention
is to provide a leakage detection and collection apparatus
specifically applicable to connections between lengths of
conduit. A second objective is that the detecting and
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collectiny element of the apparatus be replacea~le. Other
objectives are that (1) it be made apparent on each unit what
type of fluid the conduit on which the unit is placed is
carrying; (2) the unit be durable enough to significantly
augment the durability of covered joints, and (3) the units be
quickly and easily used.
Summary of the Invention
The subject invention is a leakage detection and collection
cuff used to cover joints between sections of conduit joined
to form a long conduit such as, for example, the tubes used to
transfer liquids to and from tanks, the transfers being made
over land, air, or water. One cuff is used per joint.
The cuff comprises a pliable casing and a pliable absorbent
element insertable into the casing. The casing is shaped like
a flat envelope with an opening in one of the sides of the
envelope such that a significant portion of an absorbent
element in the casing is exposed. In use, the cuff is wrapped
around a joint with the exposed portion of the absorbent
element in contact with or close to the joint. The cuff is
equipped with appropriate detachable, adjustable fastenings to
hold it in place. ~eakage from the joint is absorbed by the
absorbent element. The absorbent element is such that absorbed
fluid is apparent, thereby providing evidence that leakage has
occurred at the covered joint. The leakage is thus detected
when the cuff is removed and the joint is serviced to prevent
further leakage. If the amount of leakage during the time the
cuff is installed does not exceed the absorbent capacity of the
element, leakage to the external environment is prevented
during that time.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing is
made of durable canvas and is equipped with colored straps with
Velcro (TM) pads in the casing and on the straps to provide for
adjustable and detachable fastening. The absorbent element is
a flat pad of material spscifically designed to absorb the type
of fluid being transferred, such as Type 151 Powersorb Oil
Sorbent (TM) made by the 3M Company. A sheet of low density
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polyethylene plastic, 4~6 mils thick, is inserted between the
absorbent element and the closed side of the casing.
The invention is described in more detail below with
reference to the attached drawings.
srief Description of the Drawin~~
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject cuff wrapped
over the joint between two conduit segments.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one side of an unwrapped
cuff.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the other side of the cuff
of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a section taken at 4-4 in FIG. 2.
Best Mode for Carryinu out the Invention
The subject invention is a leakage collection and detection
cuff for use on conduits comprising detachable attached
sections. One cuff is installed over each joint. Referring
to FIG. 1, cuff 10 is shown wrapped around joint 11, covered
by the cuff, connecting conduit section 12 to conduit section
13. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one face of cuff 10
unwrapped and laid flat. The cuff comprises a casing 15 having
an opening 16 in face 14. An absorbent pad 17 is inserted in
the casing as described in more detail below. Straps 18 and
19 extend from open end 20 of the casing. Strips 21 and 22 of
loop components of Velcro (TM) fastening are attached to straps
18 and 19 respectively. Strip 23 of loop component of Velcro
(TM) fastening is attached across side 14 flush with end 20.
The other face 24 of the cuff is shown in FIG. 3 with hook
components 25, 26 and 27 of Velcro (TM) fastening attached
along edges 28, 29, and 30 respectively.
All the materials in the cuff are pliable and in this
embodiment the casing is made of canvas cloth. Details o~ the
construction used in this embodiment are shown in FIG. 4, a
section taken at 4-4 in FIG. 2 through edge 30 of the cuff.
The cuff is symmetrical about the centerline parallel to edge
30. The casing comprises an outer layer 31 which is face 24
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and folds around edge 30 to become part of face 14. It is
double hemmed at 32 to form an edge 33 of opening 16. The cuff
further comprises liner pieces 34 and 35. Strap 19 is a strip
of canvas folded as shown and pieces 34, 35 and strap 19 are
held together by rows of stitching represented by lines 36 and
37. Velcro component 25 is attached as shown by adhesive.
Alternately, it could also be attached by the stitching. A
layer of plastic 38, preferably low density polyethylene, 4-6
mils thick, is installed over piece 34. Absorbent pad 17 is
set in place under flaps 39 and 40 (FIG. 2) and strip 23 but
not attached, making it readily replaceable. A preferred
material for the absorbent pad is Type 151 Powersorb Oil
Sorbent, No. 98-0711-0197-0, manufactured by the 3M Company.
The invention is provided in a number of sizes related to
the range of diameters of conduits on which it is used. The
color of the straps from unit to unit can be different to allow
the user to use units of one color for one particular type of
fluid and another color for another type of fluid to facilitate
identification and differentiation of types of fluids being
transferred.
In use the cuff is wrapped around a conduit joint with face
14 against the joint and the ends of the joined conduit
sections and with Velcro (TM) element 23 engaging element 26
and straps 18 and 19 wrapped so that elements 21 and 22 engage
elements 27 and 25 respectively to hold the cuff securely in
place. Leakage from the joint will be collected by the pad and
layer 38 prevents any fluid which passes through the pad from
reaching liner 34 and outer layer 31. The capacity of the pad
is limited, of course, by it's characteristics and size and any
excess fluid will escape. After each use, each cuff is removed
and inspected. Leakage absorbed is visually evident and serves
as detection of the leakage. In an alternate embodiment,
transparent plastic panels may be incorporated in layers 31 and
34 making it possible to detect leakage without removing the
cuff and before leakage occurs outside the cuff.
~; It is considered to be understandable from the above
description that the subject invention meets it's objectives.
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It provides a leakage detection and collection apparatus for
use on connections between lengths of conduit. The collection
and detection element is replaceable, a difference from
replacing the entire unit.
The use of a variety of colors of straps facilitates
identification and differentiation of fluids being transferred
within the conduit on which the unit is placed. The durable
layer of canvas serves to provide additional durability to the
covered joint and the cuff is easily installed, removed, and
serviced.
It is also considered to be understood that while certain
embodiments of the invention are described herein, other
embodiments and variations of those described are possible
within the scope of the invention which is limited only by the
attached claims.
