Patent ID: 6176248
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: B63B,G01M,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve assembly adapted to be submerged in a liquid, said assembly comprising:a valve having an open and a closed position for controlling the flow of said liquid therethrough;a hydraulic actuator connected to said valve for moving said valve between said open and closed positions;a fluid tight housing enclosing said hydraulic actuator wherein any hydraulic fluid which may leak from said hydraulic actuator is contained within said housing; andmeans for detecting hydraulic fluid which may leak into said housing, said means comprising:at least one line in fluid communication with the interior of said housing and adapted to extend to a point outside of said liquid in which said valve assembly is submerged whereby a sample of the environment within said housing can be withdrawn through said at least one line for analysis to determine if hydraulic fluid is present in said sample.