Patent ID: 6128946
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: F16K,G01M

Abstract:
An apparatus for use with a fluid transport system having an upstream pipe, a downstream pipe and a valve connected between the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe for controlling fluid flow through the system, the valve having at least one upstream seal, at least one downstream seal and an inner cavity effectively isolated by the seals from the fluid flow stream, the apparatus for detecting a leak in at least one of the seals, the apparatus comprising:a first transducer in fluid communication with the fluid flow stream at at least one of: (1) a predetermined distance upstream of the upstream seal and, (2) a predetermined distance downstream of the downstream seal, the first transducer for sensing pressure pulsations resulting from at least one of: (1) dynamic energy due to fluid flow through the fluid transport system and, (2) transient energy within the fluid in the transport system after the valve is closed, and for generating first representative electrical signals as a function of time;a second transducer in fluid communication with the inner cavity for sensing substantially simultaneous pressure pulsations within the inner cavity and for generating second representative electrical signals as a function of time; andan analyzer for receiving the first and second electrical signals and for generating at least one of the following functions: (1) a frequency response function and, (2) a coherence function, the generated function being sufficiently averaged to provide a meaningful measure of the degree to which the two electrical signals are related to thereby indicate whether, and to what extent, sensed pressure pulsations within the fluid transport system are passing through at least one of the seals to the inner cavity.