Abstract:
An example leak detector assembly includes: a leak detection device, including: a main body; and a plurality of electrical filaments extending across the main body, each of the electrical filaments being configured to detect fluid from a leak and thereupon deliver an electrical current.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Coupling assemblies typically include female and male couplings that are connected to create a fluid flow path therebetween. Such coupling assemblies can be used in various applications, including biomedical applications, beverage dispensing, instrument connections, photochemical handling, liquid cooling of electronic devices, and others. It is possible for leaks to occur in such systems. Depending on the types of fluids that are in the fluid flow path, such leaks can result in damage, monetary losses, and health concerns when such fluids are caustic to humans. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    In one non-limiting aspect, a leak detector assembly includes: a leak detection device, including: a main body; and a plurality of electrical filaments extending across the main body, each of the electrical filaments being configured to detect fluid from a leak and thereupon deliver an electrical current. 
         [0003]    In another non-limiting aspect, a system includes: a leak detection assembly including a plurality of leak detection devices, each of the leak detection devices including: a main body; and a plurality of electrical filaments extending across the main body, each of the electrical filaments being configured to detect leaks; and a fluid system including a plurality of fluid conduits; wherein the leak detection devices are positioned about the fluid conduits to detect fluid from a leak and thereupon deliver an electrical current. 
         [0004]    In yet another non-limiting aspect, a method for detecting leaks in a fluid system includes: positioning a leak detection device about a portion of the fluid system, the leak detection device including a main body, and a plurality of electrical filaments extending through the main body, each of the electrical filaments being configured to detect fluid from a leak; allowing the leak detection device to detect the fluid from the leak; and transmitting a signal from the leak detection device in response to detecting the fluid. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an example system including a fluid flow assembly and a leak detection assembly. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an example leak detection device of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of another example system including a fluid flow assembly and a leak detection assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    The present disclosure relates to a leak detection assembly for a fluid flow assembly. In some examples the leak detection assembly is configured to detect a leak in the fluid flow assembly. In other examples, the leak detection assembly is further configured to alert when a leak is detected. Additional details about these examples are provided below. 
         [0010]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an example system  100  is shown. In this system  100 , an example fluid flow assembly  101  and an example leak detection assembly  103  are depicted. 
         [0011]    The fluid flow assembly  101  includes a first fluid conduit  102  coupled to a first coupling device  110 . The first coupling device  110  is coupled to a second coupling device  120 . The second coupling device  120  is, in turn, coupled to a second fluid conduit  104 . 
         [0012]    The fluid flow assembly  101  thereby forms a passageway for a fluid that is transferred between two points through the first and second fluid conduits  102 ,  104  and the first and second coupling devices  110 ,  120 . 
         [0013]    In this example, the first and second coupling devices  110 ,  120  are quick disconnect couplings. One example of a quick disconnect coupling assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,777 to Blenkush, the entirety of which is hereby incorporate by reference. In other embodiments, other types of coupling devices and configurations can be used to form the fluid flow assembly  101 . For example, more coupling devices and/or fluid conduits can be used to connect multiple points in the fluid flow assembly  101 . 
         [0014]    The leak detection assembly  103  includes leak detection devices  132 ,  134 . The leak detection device  132  is generally positioned to surround at least a portion of the first fluid conduit  102 , and the leak detection device  134  is generally positioned to surround at least a portion of the second fluid conduit  104 . Although only two leak detection devices are depicted, more or fewer devices can be used. Further, the leak detection devices  132 ,  134  can be positioned at strategic locations along the first and second fluid conduits  102 ,  104 , or be configured to extend along an entirety of the first and second fluid conduits  102 ,  104 . 
         [0015]    The leak detection devices  132 ,  134  are generally configured to detect any leaks that occur from the first and second fluid conduits  102 ,  104 , as described further below. In this example, when one or both of the leak detection devices  132 ,  134  detect a leak, the leak detection devices  132 ,  134  communicate with a node  140  via electrical conduits  133 . In this example, the leak detection devices  132 ,  134  communicate the detection of a leak. Optionally, the leak detection devices  132 ,  134  and/or the node  140  can be configured to estimate and communicate a magnitude and/or location of the leak. 
         [0016]    The node  140  is programmed to receive the signals from the leak detection devices  132 ,  134  via the electrical conduits  133 . When such a signal is received, the node  140  communicates the receipt of the signal to a central node  150 , using wired or wireless (as depicted in the example shown) technologies. 
         [0017]    The central node  150  is programmed with logic to receive the signal and to act thereupon. For example the central node  150  can display a location diagram illustrating where the leak occurred. Further, the central node  150  can include alarming logic that allows the central node  150  to escalate an alarm to various personnel through audible, visual, and/or digital methods. For example, when a leak signal is detected, the central node  150  can generate a message (e.g., a text message or an email) to appropriate personnel to address the situation. If not resolved or reset in a certain time period, the central node  150  can continue to escalate the issue by contacting other personnel in a choreographed process. 
         [0018]    In some examples, multiple nodes  140  are positioned throughout a location. Each of the nodes  140  communicates with the central node  150 . In other embodiments, a central node  150  is not required, particularly for smaller locations. In those instances, the node  140  can perform one or all of the tasks of the central node  150 . 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the leak detection device  132  is shown in greater detail. In this example, the leak detection device  132  includes a main body  201  that is deformable. Specifically, the main body  201  can be formed into a loop to encompass one or more fluid conduits, such as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . One or more fasteners can be provided to maintain the main body  201  in the loop upon the fluid conduits. In other embodiments, the leak detection device  132  can be formed as a tube, either rigid or deformable. Such a tube can be slid onto the fluid conduit. 
         [0020]    The main body  201  can be made of an absorbing and/or wicking material. In one example, the main body  201  is made of a wicking material such as Quick Dry manufactured by Sportingtex of Taiwan. Other similar materials can be used. In function, the material is configured to deliver the fluid to components on or in the material, as described further below. 
         [0021]    Positioned along the main body  201  of the leak detection device  132  is a plurality of electrical filaments  210 . In one example, each of the electrical filaments  210  extends generally from a first end  202  to a second end  204  of the main body  201 . Other configurations are possible, such as forming a weave pattern and/or having each filament  210  only extend along a portion of the main body  201 . 
         [0022]    In one example, the leak detection device  132  is positioned on a fluid conduit such that the filaments  210  run circumferentially about the fluid conduit. In other examples, the leak detection device  132  can be positioned generally opposite to that, so that the filaments  210  run axially relative to the conduit. Variations are possible. 
         [0023]    In this example, each of the filaments  210  is configured to conduct an electrical current. Specifically, an electric current is run through each of the filaments  210 , essentially creating a plurality of open circuits. 
         [0024]    When fluid is present on the main body  201  of the leak detection device  132 , the main body  201  generally directs the fluid to the filaments  210 . For example, the wicking nature of the main body  201  causes the fluid to be directed to the filaments  210 . 
         [0025]    If enough fluid is present, the fluid causes a short between two or more adjacent filaments  210  on the main body  201 . This short results in a closed circuit that allows current to flow, as described below. 
         [0026]    Specifically, once the fluid causes the short between adjacent filaments  210 , the current supplied by the electrical conduit  133  is returned to the node  140  via a return path in the electrical conduit  133 . This complete circuit signals to the node  140  that a leak has been detected. As noted, the node  140  can detect the electric current on the electrical conduits  133  and respond appropriately. 
         [0027]    In other examples, a passive or powered amplifier is provided on the leak detection device  132  to amplify the signal that is transmitted from the electrical filaments  210  to the node  140 . 
         [0028]    In one example, the filaments  210  are thin copper wires that conduct electricity. One example of such a wire is 299/3 SV005 Buss Wire by Alpha Wire of Elizabeth, N.J. Many other similar materials can be used. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , another example system  300  is shown. The system  300  is similar to the system  100  described above, except the system  300  also includes a leak detection device  136  positioned about the first and second coupling devices  110 ,  120 . 
         [0030]    The leak detection device  136  functions in a manner similar to leak detection devices  132 ,  134 , except the leak detection device  136  is positioned about the first and second coupling devices  110 ,  120 , where a leak may be more likely to occur. The leak detection device  136  is coupled via another electrical conduit  133  to the node  140 . Should fluid be detected, the leak detection device  136  would return the electric current on the electrical conduit  133  to notify the node  140 . 
         [0031]    Although a single leak detection device  136  is depicted, in another design, a separate leak detection device can be provided for each of the first and second coupling devices  110 ,  120 . This may facilitate for easier uncoupling of the first and second coupling devices  110 ,  120  without having to remove or displace the leak detection devices. In addition, although fluid conduits and coupling devices are depicted, the fluid detection devices can be used to detect leaks for other components, such as fittings, pumps, radiators, or electronics cooling cold plates. 
         [0032]    Further, although a wired connection is depicted between each of the leak detection devices  132 ,  134 ,  136 , in alternative designs, other modes of communication can be used, such as wireless technologies like RF, Bluetooth and ZigBee. 
         [0033]    In some examples, the electric signals that are communicated by the leak detection devices uniquely identify the leak detection device so that a location of the leak can be determined. In other examples, the node  140  determines which electrical conduit  133  provides the signal and determines a location of the leak in this manner. The location information can be transferred to the node  140  for alerting purposes. 
         [0034]    In the examples shown, the nodes  140 ,  150  are computing devices that each includes one or more processing units and computer readable media. Computer readable media includes physical memory such as volatile memory (such as RAM), non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or some combination thereof. Additionally, the computing devices can include mass storage (removable and/or non-removable) such as a magnetic or optical disks or tape. An operating system, such as Linux or Windows, and one or more application programs can be stored on the mass storage device. The computing devices can include input devices (such as a keyboard and mouse) and output devices (such as a monitor and printer). 
         [0035]    The computing devices also include network connections to other devices, computers, networks, servers, etc. In example embodiments, the computing devices communicate with one another through one or more networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, or a combination thereof. Communications can be implemented using wired and/or wireless technologies. 
         [0036]    Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.