Portable piping-and-pump-system testing apparatus

This invention relates to a portable piping-and-pump-system testing apparatus comprising a cabinet having a hinged lid and a front wall and having a supply tank for holding liquid comparable to the liquid in the piping and pump system being tested and further having a leakage detector adapter for receiving a leakage detector for the testing thereof and also having a calibrated cylinder mounted on a base member which is hingedly mounted to a bracket and having a control panel comprising a series of pressure gauges, regulators, and valves to conduct the tests of the leakage detector either in the piping and pump system or in the leakage detector adapter or to conduct tests for line leaks in the piping and pump system by using the supply tank and calibrated cylinder to monitor drop of liquid in the cylinder over a preset period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a portable piping-and pump-system testing 
apparatus which tests leakage detectors used in such systems and which, 
optionally, tests for line leaks in such systems. 
Leakage test equipment is used and needed to protect the environment from 
toxic fluids which may leak through pipes and seep into the ground 
effecting damage to the ground water as such and also effecting waste of a 
valuable resource used for production of energy. With the advent of 
storing toxic fluids underground and with the environmental agencies 
policing environmental problems effected by toxic fluids spilling into the 
ground and contaminating the water supply, different types of single 
function leakage testing equipment have be conceived. 
One known prior art is a PORTABLE LEAK TEST INSTRUMENT, U.S. Pat. No. 
3,756,072, which comprises a tank containing an inert gas and connected 
through a pre-set pressure regulator to a first pressure indicating gauge 
and a line which is a adapted to be coupled to the closed system to be 
tested. 
Another known prior art is a LIQUID VOLUMETRIC LINE LEAK TESTING APATUS 
AND METHOD, U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,102, which comprises a calibrated burette 
which is connected to the pump system and which delivers fluid product to 
the pump system and registers over a selected period of time the change in 
the level of fluid product in the burette. 
Another known prior art is a LIQUID VOLUMETRIC LINE LEAK TESTING APATUS, 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,426, which comprises a calibrated burette, a funnel 
for filling the burette to a pre-determined level, a hand-operated pump, a 
pressure gauge, an air bleed device, and a permanent magnet all which are 
contained in a case. 
Another known prior art is an APATUS AND METHOD 0F DETECTING LEAKS IN 
PRESSURIZED PIPING SYSTEMS, U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,968, which comprises a 
fill cylinder and a pressure cylinder mounted on a frame. The fill 
cylinder has a moveable liquid-tight piston, valve ports on one side of 
the piston, and a vent port on the other side. The pressure cylinder 
includes a moveable pressure piston, a pressure regulator in communication 
with one side of the piston and an access port on the opposite side. A 
connecting rod interconnects the two pistons and a pointer connected to 
the rod registers on a calibrated scale. 
Another known prior art is a GAS LEAKAGE DETECTOR, U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,434, 
which comprises a housing, an inlet coupling, internal fluid flow path and 
an outlet coupling enabling the housing to be installed and coupled 
permanently in-line with the supply line. 
Another prior art is an ISOLATOR FOR LEAK DETECTOR TESTER, U.S. Pat. No. 
5,042,290, which comprises an isolator selectively mountable in the seat 
of the housing, means for mounting the leak detector in the isolator, 
means for interconnecting through the isolator the outflow from the 
submerged pump with an inlet to the mounted leak detector, and a tap for 
discharging fuel flow from the leak detector. 
Another known prior art is an APATUS FOR TESTING LEAK DETECTORS, U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,092,158, which comprises a pressurized tank, a mount for 
receiving the leak detector, a capillary tube extending into the tank, a 
manifold, and a plurality of flow restrictors. 
Another known prior art is a LINE LEAK DETECTOR AND METHOD, U.S. Pat. No. 
5,201,212, which comprises means for measuring the temperature of the 
liquid in the line, means for measuring the temperature and pressure of 
the liquid in a test reservoir, and means for receiving the signals from 
said measuring means. 
Each of the above-identified patents describes apparatuses and test 
equipments which perform a single function meaning that in order for a 
complete test to be performed on a pipe and pump system which includes 
conducting a test on the leakage detectors in the system, conducting a 
test on the leakage detectors out of the system, and conducting a line 
leakage test, the user would need multiple test equipment to perform the 
tests. There is a definite need for an apparatus which can perform a 
complete test on a given pipe and pump system without having to use 
multiple apparatuses. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a portable piping-and-pump-system testing 
apparatus for testing leakage detectors and possibly testing for line 
leaks which comprises a cabinet having a hinged front wall and a hinged 
lid; a supply tank for storing liquid compatible to the test being 
conducted; a leakage detector adapter; a control panel comprising a 
plurality of control valves, gas and liquid regulators, pressure gauges, 
coupling hoses, and a T-coupler to interconnect the control valves; the 
leakage detector adapter; the supply tank; and, optionally, a calibrated 
cylinder for testing for line leaks all self-contained in the cabinet 
which has handle means for ease of moving the portable 
piping-and-pump-system testing apparatus which allows the user to test the 
leakage detector and test for line leaks simultaneously. 
An objective of the present invention is to produce a self-contained 
portable test unit which will perform all the required tests on a pipe and 
pump system such as found at gasoline stations. 
Another objective of the present invention is to produce a self-contained 
portable test unit which can conduct line leak tests and leakage detector 
tests without having to actuate the pump system being tested. 
Further, another objective of the present invention is to produce a 
self-contained portable test unit which can perform line leak tests and 
leakage detector tests simultaneously. 
Yet, another objective of the present invention is to produce a 
self-contained portable test unit which can be easily carried by the user 
to the system being tested. 
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent as the description proceeds and when taken in conjunction with 
the accompanying drawings wherein:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings in FIGS. 1 through 5, the piping-and-pump-system 
testing apparatus comprises a portable cabinet 10 having two side walls 16 
& 17, a bottom wall 15, a back wall 18, a hinged front wall 19, a divider 
wall 14 fixedly attached to the two side walls 16 & 17 with screws or the 
like, and a hinged lid 20, and further having handles on the exterior of 
the back wall 18 and front wall 19 to facilitate carrying of the cabinet 
10. A supply tank satisfying all the environmental protection laws for 
storing volatile liquids and preferably capable of containing up to 2.75 
gallons of liquid is securely mounted inside the cabinet 10 upon the 
bottom wall 15 thereof with fasteners such as bolts or the like. The 
supply tank 21 preferably has an liquid inlet and bleed valve 22 disposed 
in the top of the tank for filling the tank with a volatile liquid from an 
outside liquid dispensing source and further has a gas inlet valve 23 
which is also disposed in the top of the tank for pressurizing the inside 
of the supply tank 21 and also has an liquid outlet fitting 24 disposed in 
the bottom of the supply tank 21 to dispense the liquid from the supply 
tank 21 conduct the leakage detector test and line leak test. A supply 
tank 21 hose is connected to the liquid outlet 24 disposed in the bottom 
of the supply tank 21 and has a connection fitting at the opposite end 
thereof. 
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, & 5, an elongate bracket 29 is fixedly attached at 
its ends with bolts as such to the interior of the two side walls 16 & 17 
of the cabinet 10 near the top thereof and near the back wall 18 of the 
cabinet 10. A base member 42 having a hollow interior is hinged along one 
edge thereof with a hinge member 43 fixedly mounted on top of the bracket 
29 with screws or the like. A calibrated cylinder 44 being calibrated 
preferably in one hundred twenty five thousandths from 0.00000 to 0.06000 
along the length thereof has a closed top end and a bottom end which 
extends into the top of the base member 42 into the hollow interior. The 
cylinder 44 extends longitudinally upward from the base member 42. A gas 
flow inlet valve 46 having a connection end, a gas flow regulator 47 which 
is fixedly connected to the gas flow inlet valve 46, and a gas pressure 
gauge 48 which is connected to the gas flow regulator 47 are securely 
mounted to the top end of the cylinder 44 to receive the gas preferably 
nitrogen being dispensed from an outside gas source 90, to regulate the 
gas, and to monitor the gas pressure entering the cylinder 44 which is 
pressurized to test for line leaks in the piping and pump system. A bleed 
off needle valve 45 is also mounted upon the calibrated cylinder 44 
opposite the gas flow regulating and monitor means to purge air from the 
cylinder 44. A liquid flow inlet valve 40 having a connection end is 
connected to and extends into one side of the base member 42 into the 
hollow interior thereof to fill the cylinder 44 with liquid from the 
supply tank 21. A liquid flow outlet valve 49 having a connection end is 
connected to and extends into an opposite side of the base member 42 into 
the hollow interior thereof. A prong-shaped holder 79 is hingedly attached 
with screws or the like to the interior of the back wall 18 of the cabinet 
10 and is aligned with the cylinder 44 so that the cylinder 44 is 
engageable between the prongs of the holder to hold the cylinder 44 in an 
upright or vertical operative position to conduct the test for line leaks 
in the piping and pump system. The cylinder 44 can be pivoted in a 
generally horizontal position parallel with the bottom wall 15 of the 
cabinet 10 when the tests are finished to facilitate closing of the lid 20 
of the cabinet 10 and to facilitate portability of the 
piping-and-pump-system testing apparatus. Also, the bracket 29, cylinder 
44, base means, and the valves connected thereto can be easily removed 
from the cabinet 10 if the user has no need to conduct tests for line 
leaks and is therefore an optional feature of this invention. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, a control panel 50 is removeably attached to 
the side walls 16 & 17 inside the cabinet 10 and has a frontside 50' and a 
backside 50". The control panel 50 comprises a piping system connection 
valve 51 having a first connection end 51' attachable to a piping system 
connection hose 85 which is attachable to a dispenser 82 in the piping and 
pump system which contains the leakage detector being tested. The piping 
system connection valve 51 has a second connection end 51" which is 
disposed through the frontside 50' of the control panel 50 and extends out 
the backside 50" of the control panel 50. A first coupling hose 62 has one 
end which is attached to the second connection end 51" of the piping 
system connection valve 51 and has the opposite end attached to a 
T-coupler which is securely disposed on the backside 50" of the control 
panel 50. A second coupling hose 65 has an end connected to the T-coupler 
and has an opposite end connected to a first connection end 57' of a 
four-way valve 57, which is disposed through the backside 50" of the 
control panel 50 and extends out the frontside of the control panel 50. 
The T-coupler is also directly connected to a pressure release valve 63 
which is securely fixed with fasteners to the backside 50" of the control 
panel 50 for bleeding air from the coupling hoses. A third coupling hose 
67 has an end connected to a second connection end of the four-way valve 
57 and has the opposite end connected to a liquid flow regulator 55 which 
is disposed through the backside 50" of the control panel 50 and extends 
out the frontside 50' of the control panel 50. Further, the liquid flow 
regulator 55 is fixedly coupled to an inline liquid flow pressure gauge 56 
which is disposed through the backside 50" of the control panel 50 and is 
exposed on the frontside of the control panel 50 to measure the pressure 
of the liquid being used to simulate a leak for testing the leakage 
detector. A fourth coupling hose 66 connects the inline liquid flow 
pressure gauge 56 to a metering needle valve 53 which is also mounted upon 
and disposed through the frontside 50' of the control panel 50. The 
metering needle valve 53 is fixedly coupled to a liquid discharge valve 52 
which has a connection end 52' exposed on the frontside 50' of the control 
panel 50. A gas valve 54 having a first connection end 54', a second 
connection end 54", and a third connection end 54 is mounted near the 
bottom on the frontside 50' of the control panel 50 with the first 
connection end 54' exposed on the frontside 50' and the second and third 
connection ends 54" & 54 disposed through the control panel 50 to the 
backside 50". The first connection end 54' of the gas valve 54 is 
attachable to a gas supply hose 92 which is attached or connected to an 
outside gas source 90. A gas hose 72 having one end attached to the second 
connection end 54" of the gas valve 54 is connected to the gas flow inlet 
valve 46 on the cylinder 44. The third connection end 54 of the gas valve 
54 is fixedly connected to a conduit member fixedly mounted to the 
backside 50" of the control panel 50, the conduit member comprising a gas 
regulator 59 having a control knob rotatably mounted upon and disposed 
through the frontside 50' of the control panel 50 into the conduit member 
and a inline gas flow pressure gauge 60 which is also disposed through the 
frontside 50' of the control panel 50 into the conduit member which has a 
portion connected to an end of the gas inlet hose 71. A supply tank 21 
valve having a first connection end 54' exposed on the frontside 50' of 
the control panel 50 is disposed upon and through the frontside 50' and 
has a second connection end 54" exposed on the backside 50" of the control 
panel 50. The supply tank valve 58 is also coupled by a fifth coupling 
hose 64 to the four-way valve 57 to regulate flow of liquid to simulate a 
line leak for testing the leakage detector to make sure the leakage 
detector 100 is functionally detecting line leaks in the piping and pump 
system. The supply tank valve 58 is also coupled to a quick discharge 
valve 61 exposed on the frontside 50' of the control panel 50. 
As shown in FIG. 3, a leakage detector adapter comprising an adapter body 
25 having a substantially hollow interior therein and an open top end and 
which is dimensioned to receive a leakage detector therein is securely 
mounted inside the cabinet 10 and securely fastened to the,divider wall 14 
of the cabinet 10. A plug member 26 is threadably inserted in the top end 
of the adapter body 25 and is removeable to open the top end of the 
adapter body 25 so that the leakage detector 100 can be mounted through 
the top end of the adapter body 25. An adapter bleed valve 78 extends in 
the side of the hollowed adapter body 25 for purging air from inside 
thereof, and an adapter inlet valve 27 having a connection end is disposed 
in the opposite side of the adapter body 25 to adjustably control liquid 
entering the adapter body 25 from the supply tank 21. The supply tank 21 
hose is attachable to the connection end of the adapter inlet valve 27 to 
supply liquid from the supply tank 21 to test the leakage detector removed 
from the piping and pump system. An adapter body 25 hose is connected to 
the bottom of the adapter body 25 and extends and is detachably connected 
to a second connection end of the supply tank valve 58 disposed through 
the control panel 50 to allow liquid to leave the adapter body 25 to 
simulate a line leak to test the detection functionality of line leaks by 
the leakage detector as shown in FIG. 5. 
To test for a line leak in a piping and pump system using the present 
invention, the user should (1) position the cabinet 10 near a dispenser 
for the piping and pump system; (2) open the lid 20 and front wall 19 of 
the cabinet 10; (3) pivot the cylinder 44 in an upright vertical position 
and secure the cylinder 44 with the prong-shaped holder; (4) turn off all 
power to all pumps in the line being tested; (5) strap down or disable all 
dispenser nozzles of the piping system being tested; (6) install a dry 
break in a test port plug hole at the bottom of the pump dispenser; (7) 
close all valves on the piping-and-pump-system testing apparatus; (8) 
connect a hose to the liquid inlet and bleed valve 22 disposed in the top 
of the supply tank 21 with comparable liquid to that in the piping and 
pump system; (9) connect one end of the piping system connection hose to 
the dry break; (10) connect the opposite end of the piping system 
connection hose to the cylinder 44 outlet valve and connector; (11) 
detachably connect one end of a gas supply hose 92 to the first connection 
end 54' of the gas valve 54 disposed upon the frontside of the control 
panel 50; (12) detachably connect the opposite end of the gas supply hose 
92 to a regulator on a pressurized gas tank; (13) open the gas valve 54 on 
the control panel 50 to pressurize the supply tank 21; (14) adjust the gas 
flow regulator on the control panel 50 to preferably 30 pounds per square 
inch; (15) open the bleed off needle valve 45 on top of the upright 
calibrated cylinder 44; (16) fill the calibrated cylinder 44 with liquid 
from the supply tank 21 by opening the liquid flow inlet valve 40 near the 
bottom of the calibrated cylinder 44; (17) close the liquid flow inlet 
valve 40 when the liquid in the calibrated cylinder 44 preferably reaches 
the 0.06000 calibrated mark on the cylinder 44; (18) close the bleed off 
needle valve 45 at the top of the calibrated cylinder 44; (19) open the 
gas flow inlet valve 46; (20) adjust the gas flow regulator 47 on the 
cylinder 44 to regulate the gas pressure entering the calibrated cylinder 
44 to pressures up to 45 pounds per square inch for submerged pump systems 
in particular and up to 15 pounds per square inch for suction systems; 
(21) open the liquid flow outlet valve 49 to pressurize the piping system 
being tested; (22) record the liquid level in the cylinder 44 at 0 pounds 
per square inch and at the operating pressure selected; and (23) continue 
to record the liquid levels in cylinder 44 and the time to determine if 
there is a leak in the line in the piping and pump system. 
To test the leakage detector in its own environment in the piping and pump 
system using the present invention, the user should (1) position the 
cabinet 10 near the dispenser farthest from the pump; (2) open the lid 20 
and front wall 19 of the cabinet 10; (3) turn off the power to the piping 
and pump system; (4) tie off all dispenser nozzles in the system except 
for the dispenser nozzle farthest from the pump; (5) remove the test plug 
in the shear valve under the dispenser nozzle; (6) install the dry break 
into the test plug hole of the shear valve; (7) connect one end of the 
piping system connection hose to the dry break; (8) connect the opposite 
end of the piping system connection hose to the piping system connection 
valve on the frontside of the control panel 50; (9) restore power to the 
piping and pump system; (10) turn on the selected dispenser to actuate the 
pump; (11) connect one end of a flexible hose to the liquid discharge 
valve 52 and put the opposite end in a separate container; (12) turn the 
four-way valve 57 to the full flow position; (13) turn the metering needle 
valve 53 counterclockwise to the open position; (14) open the piping 
system connection valve to allow liquid from the piping and pump system to 
enter the piping system connection valve; (15) open the liquid discharge 
valve 52 to purge the system and then reclose the liquid discharge valve 
52; (16) turn four-way valve 57 to allow liquid to the liquid flow 
regulator 55; (17) open liquid discharge valve 52 to purge the liquid flow 
regulator 55; (18) close the piping system connection valve; (19) close 
the metering needle valve 53; (20) turn the metering needle valve 53 
counter clockwise about 6 revolutions to simulate a leak rate of 
approximately 3 GPH; (21) observe the liquid pressure gauge. If the liquid 
pressure gauge does not reach full pressure and stops at 8 to 13 pounds 
per square inch for a diaphragm type leakage detector or stops at 18 to 22 
pounds per square inch for a piston type leakage detector, the leakage 
detector has sensed the leak and is functioning correctly. 
To test a leakage detector in the adapter body 25 of the present invention, 
the user should (1) open the lid 20 and front wall 19 of the cabinet 10; 
(2) close all valves on the testing apparatus; (3) fill the supply tank 21 
with comparable liquid to that being tested by connecting one end of a 
hose to the liquid inlet valve disposed in the stop of the supply tank 21 
and connecting the other end to an outside liquid supply source; (4) 
remove the plug on the leakage detector adapter; (5) position the leakage 
detector in the top end of the leakage detector adapter; (6) connect one 
end of the gas supply hose 92 to the first connector end of the gas valve 
54 on the frontside of the control panel 50 and connect the other end of 
the gas supply hose 92 to a gas source 90 preferably containing nitrogen; 
(7) turn the gas valve 54 to allow gas through the gas flow regulator 59 
and the inline gas flow pressure gauge 60; (8) adjust the pressure of the 
gas to 30 pounds per square inch which will be the pressure in the supply 
tank 21; (9) open the supply tank 21 liquid outlet fitting 24 to dispense 
liquid from the supply tank 21; (10) open the adapter inlet valve 27 to 
allow liquid to enter from the supply tank 21; (11) open the adapter bleed 
valve 78 to purge air from the adapter body 25; (12) close the adapter 
bleed valve 78; (13) close the liquid discharge valve 52; (14) open the 
supply tank 21 valve on the control panel 50; (15) open the discharge 
valve; (16) turn the four-way valve 57 to allow liquid to flow through the 
liquid flow regulator 55; (17) adjust the liquid pressure to 10 pounds per 
square inch; (18) open the metering needle valve 53; (19) open the adapter 
inlet valve 27 to allow liquid into the leakage detector adapter from the 
supply tank 21; (20) observe the liquid pressure gauge. If the liquid 
pressure stops at 8 to 13 pounds per square inch for a diaphragm type 
leakage detector or stops at 18 to 22 pounds per square inch for a piston 
type leakage detector, the leak detector has sensed the leak and is 
functioning correctly. 
Various changes and departures may be made to the invention without 
departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not 
intended that the invention be limited to that specifically described in 
the specification or as illustrated in the drawing but only as set forth 
in the claims.