Leak detection system

A method and apparatus can include: shutting off a gas line at a stop valve; disconnecting a utility meter from a house line; connecting the house line to an output end of a flow meter; connecting the utility meter to an input end of the flow meter; turning the gas line on at the stop valve; and determining: the gas line is leak free based on the flow meter showing no gas flow, and the gas line is leaking based on the flow meter showing a steady gas flow.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to leak detection, more particularly leak detection utilizing a flow rate meter.

BACKGROUND

Combustible gasses are commonly used within many structures including industrial or manufacturing settings, residential buildings, and office buildings. Combustible gasses present unique challenges and can present immense danger when not contained properly.

Combustible gas leaks can present immediate danger to human life and structures. These dangers can arise from oxygen displacement, fire potential, or explosive potential.

Many prior developments have been advanced to detect gas leaks. These previous developments provide only partial solutions and present multiple disadvantages including being highly localized, expensive to implement and produce, being complicated, being prone to failure and miscalibration, and are generally only able to detect specific kinds or families of gasses.

One previous development includes catalytic detectors that utilize a reference and active coils. The active coil can be embedded within a catalyst. An exothermic reaction with combustible gases and oxygen can take place on the surface of the catalyst. In the presence of some combustible gases a temperature difference can be generated which is proportional to the gas concentration.

While catalytic detectors are generally considered to be robust, these detectors are highly localized and vulnerable to “poisoning” where the catalyst can become inactive due to contamination from chlorinated and silicon compounds. Detecting this sensitivity loss requires regular checking and calibration.

Another shortcoming of catalytic detectors is that catalytic detectors require the presence of oxygen. Even further, prolonged exposure to combustible gases can degrade the catalytic detector's performance and when flooded with high concentrations, the catalytic detectors may provide a low to no response.

Another previous development includes infrared detectors which detect the absorption of infrared radiation at various wavelengths as it passes through gas. Infrared detectors detect the difference between two infrared light beams, one beam passing through a reference cell the other passing through a sample cell.

While infrared do overcome some problems inherent to catalytic detectors like poisoning, Infrared detectors are also highly localized and provide only a partial solution to detecting gas leaks. Infrared detectors rely on absorption by a sample gas, and some hydrocarbons and other flammable gasses have very low absorption properties so are largely invisible to infrared detectors.

Infrared detectors also occupy a higher price point per detector with higher spare part costs, which can present challenges fielding infrared detectors over a large structure. Infrared detectors are also sensitive to high humidity and dust which increases maintenance costs and frequency. Infrared detectors also have a limited temperature range within which they can effectively operate and performance can be impaired when multiple gasses are present.

Solutions have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any complete solutions, and solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art. Thus there remains a considerable need for devices and methods that can provide a simple, robust, effective solution for gas detection that can operate without large maintenance requirements over a large general locality at an affordable price point.

SUMMARY

A leak detection system and methods, providing a simple, robust, effective solution for gas detection that can operate without large maintenance requirements over a large general locality at an affordable price point, are disclosed. The leak detection system and methods can include: shutting off a gas line at a stop valve; disconnecting a utility meter from a house line; connecting the house line to an output end of a flow meter; connecting the utility meter to an input end of the flow meter; turning the gas line on at the stop valve; and determining: the gas line is leak free based on the flow meter showing no gas flow, and the gas line is leaking based on the flow meter showing a steady gas flow.

Other contemplated embodiments can include objects, features, aspects, and advantages in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. These objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, embodiments in which the leak detection system may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the leak detection system.

When features, aspects, or embodiments of the leak detection system are described in terms of steps of a process, an operation, a control flow, or a flow chart, it is to be understood that the steps can be combined, performed in a different order, deleted, or include additional steps without departing from the leak detection system as described herein.

The leak detection system is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the leak detection system and provide numerous specific details to give a thorough understanding of the leak detection system; however, it will be apparent that the leak detection system may be practiced without these specific details.

In order to avoid obscuring the leak detection system, some well-known system configurations are not disclosed in detail. Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown greatly exaggerated in the drawing FIGs. Generally, the leak detection system can be operated in any orientation.

Referring now toFIG. 1, therein is shown a diagrammatic view of a leak detection system100. The leak detection system100is shown to include a main line102, which can serve as a main distribution channel for gas.

The main line102can be coupled to distribution service lines104. The distribution service lines104can tee off from the main line102.

The distribution service lines104can be coupled to consumer service lines106with stop valves108in between the consumer service lines106and the distribution service lines104. The stop valves108can be used to turn the gasses from the main line102off enabling the consumer service lines106to be depressurized.

When the stop valves108are open, the consumer service lines106and the distribution service lines104can be at the same pressure. In other contemplated embodiments, a regulator can be included between the distribution service lines104and the consumer service lines106and can provide a lower pressure between the distribution service lines104and the consumer service lines106.

The consumer service lines106can be coupled to regulators110. The consumer service lines106are depicted between the stop valves108and the regulators110. The regulators110can be coupled to utility meters112.

The regulators110and the utility meters112together can step the pressure of the gasses from the main line102down and measure the amount of gas used downstream of the utility meters112. The utility meters112can be coupled to flow meters114.

The flow meters114can be coupled on one side to the utility meters112and coupled on the other side to house lines116. The house lines116can transport the gasses into structures118. The structures118can include residential houses, factories, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and offices.

It is contemplated that some implementations of the leak detection system100will not be connected or employ the main line102. For example, when a local gas storage tank120is used for site specific gasses.

Within the structures118, the house lines116can tee off into internal gas lines122. The internal gas lines122can terminate in gas elements124.

The gas elements124can include appliances such as cooking surfaces or heaters. The gas elements124can further include process equipment or even other tanks.

The gas elements124are contemplated to be terminal elements and can seal the gasses within the gas elements124themselves, within the house lines116and within the internal gas lines122. When the gasses within the house lines116, the internal gas lines122, or the gas elements124do not seal the gasses a leak will be present.

The flow meters114are further coupled onto the internal gas lines122or between the internal gas lines122and the gas elements124. It has been discovered that positioning the flow meters114between the house lines116and the utility meters112allows the entire structure to be checked while locating the flow meters114along the internal gas lines122or near the gas elements124allows more localized leak detection. For descriptive clarity, the followingFIGS. 2-5will describe the flow meter114placed between the utility meter112and the house line116.

Referring now toFIG. 2, therein is shown a front side view of the leak detection system100ofFIG. 1. The leak detection system100is depicted having one of the flow meters114coupled to a manifold202with a hose204.

The hose204can be coupled to the manifold202and to the flow meter114with connectors206. The connectors206are contemplated to be quick connect fittings, threaded connections, or flanged connections.

For example, it is contemplated that the hose204can be connected to the manifold202using quick connect fittings while the hose204can be connected to the flow meter114with a threaded connection. It has been discovered that implementing a threaded connection between the flow meter114and the hose204and a quick connection fitting between the manifold202and the hose204enables easy storage of the leak detection system100while simultaneously enabling fast secure installation, which results from the manifold202being a separate and easily manipulatable component that can be installed independently of the hose204and the manifold202.

The manifold202can further be coupled to a manifold valve208. The manifold valve208can be seen coupled to the top of the manifold202and can extend upward from the manifold202.

The manifold valve208is depicted as a quarter turn valve with a valve handle210on the front side; however, it is contemplated that the manifold valve208can be other types of valves. The manifold valve208can be used to control the gases within the system and shut off gas flow past, or downstream from, the manifold202.

The manifold202can be coupled to one of the utility meters112with a manifold adapter212. The manifold adapter212can be a separate connector that can be sized and configured for different individual utility meters112.

The hose204can be connected to an input end214of the flow meter114while one of the house lines116can be connected to an output end216of the flow meter114. The output end216of the flow meter114can be connected to the house line116with a house line adapter218. It is contemplated that the manifold adapter212and the house line adapter218can be sized for example to be compatible with the ANSI B109 family of standards including: 5LT, 10LT, 1A/#1, 1PITTS, 20LT, #2 SPRAGUE, 30LT, 45LT, #3/#4 SPRAGUE, 60LT, 100LT, and #5 SPRAGUE.

Referring now toFIG. 3, therein is shown an isometric view of the leak detection system100ofFIG. 1. The utility meter112is shown coupled to the manifold202with the manifold adapter212while the manifold valve208is depicted extending upward from and coupled to the manifold202.

The manifold202is further shown coupled to the hose204. The hose204is depicted extending down from the manifold202to couple with the input end214of the flow meter114.

The output end216of the flow meter114is shown coupled to the house line116with the house line adapter218. The house line adapter218can be coupled to the house line116with one of the threaded connections, while the house line adapter218is depicted having the connector206directly coupled to the flow meter114. The connector206of the house line adapter218that is directly coupled to the flow meter114is depicted as a quick connect fitting; however it is contemplated that some embodiments could use bared fittings for the connector206.

Referring now toFIG. 4, therein is shown a front side view of the manifold adapter212ofFIG. 2. The manifold adapter212is depicted having the threaded connections on both ends of the manifold adapter212.

The threaded connections on the top portion of the manifold adapter212are depicted as a male threaded connection402while the threaded connections on the bottom portion of the manifold adapter212are depicted as a female threaded connection404.

Referring now toFIG. 5, therein is shown a front view of the house line adapter218ofFIG. 2. The house line adapter218is depicted having the male threaded connections402on a top portion of the house line adapter218. The house line adapter218is shown having the connector206on a bottom portion of the house line adapter218. The connector206is depicted as the quick connect fitting.

Referring now toFIG. 6, therein is shown a flow chart for a method of operating the leak detection system100ofFIG. 1. The method of operating the leak detection system100includes multiple steps. It is contemplated that the steps can be combined, or replaced without deviating from the method of operating the leak detection system100.

The method of operating the leak detection system100can begin with a gas off step602. The gas off step602can include turning the stop valves108ofFIG. 1off. The gas off step602can also include shutting the gas off from the main line102ofFIG. 1or the local gas storage tank120ofFIG. 1with a valve that is upstream from the utility meters112ofFIG. 1.

It is further contemplated that when the flow meter114ofFIG. 1is placed along the internal gas lines122ofFIG. 1or near the gas elements124ofFIG. 1, the gas off step602can include shutting off the gas with a valve downstream from the utility meters112.

Continuing with the example ofFIGS. 2-5, where the flow meter114is placed between the utility meter112and the house line116, the method of operation can proceed from the gas off step602to a disconnect step604. The disconnect step604can include disconnecting house line116from the utility meter112.

Once the house line116has been disconnected, it is contemplated that the house line116could be rotated away from the utility meters112leaving a space between the terminal end of the house line116and the utility meter112. After the utility meter112is disconnected from the house line116and the house line116rotated away from the utility meter112, a connect house line step606can be performed.

The connect house line step606can include connecting the house line116to the house line adapter218ofFIG. 2and can include connecting the house line adapter218to the output end216of the flow meter114. After the house line116is connected to the flow meter114through the house line adapter218, a connect manifold step608can be performed.

The connect manifold step608can include connecting the manifold adapter212ofFIG. 2to the utility meter112and connecting the hose204ofFIG. 2to the manifold adapter212. Thus after performing both the connect manifold step608and the connect house line step606the flow meter114will be connected as is depictedFIG. 2between the utility meter112and the house line116.

It is contemplated that the connect house line step606and connect manifold step608could be performed in reverse order. Once the connect house line step606and connect manifold step608have been performed an open valve step610can be performed.

The open valve step610can include opening the manifold valve208ofFIG. 2coupled to the manifold202, which can allow gas to flow through the manifold valve208, the manifold202the hose204, the flow meter114, and ultimately into the house line116. It is contemplated that the open valve step610can be performed before, during, or after the connect manifold step608.

Once the connect manifold step608and the connect house line step606have been performed to connect the flow meter114between the utility meter112and the house line116as depicted inFIGS. 2and3and once the open valve step610has been performed to open the manifold valve208, a gas on step612can be performed. The gas on step612can include opening the stop valves108shut off during the gas off step602. It is further contemplated that the gas on step612can include turning all valves shut off during the gas off step602.

During the gas on step612, the leak detection system100will pressurize with the gas during the gas on step612. Once the leak detection system100is pressurized during the gas on step612, a close valve step614can be performed.

During the close valve step614, the manifold valve208can be closed. Closing the manifold valve208will prevent more gas flowing downstream from the utility meter112. Once the close valve step614has been performed an inspection step616can be performed.

During the inspection step616, the flow meter114can be watched. In the implementation of the leak detection system100where the flow meter114is implemented as a rotameter, a float within the flow meter114can be inspected during the inspection step616.

The following steps will be described with regard to the flow meter114implemented as a rotameter, however it is contemplated that the steps can be performed when the flow meter114is implemented in other types of flow meters. A floating decision step618can be used to determine whether a float of the flow meter114is floating. If the float is determined not to be floating, which indicates that no gas is flowing through the flow meter114, the leak detection system100can be determined to be leak free620.

If the float is determined to be floating, a bouncing decision step622can be used to determine whether the float of the flow meter114is bouncing. If the float of the flow meter114is bouncing a service step624can be performed. If the float of the flow meter114is not bouncing, the service step624is not performed.

During the service step624, the flow meter114should be serviced. If the float is not determined to be bouncing in the bouncing decision step622and the float is determined to be floating in the floating decision step618, which indicates that gas is flowing through the flow meter114, the leak detection system100can be determined to have a leak626.

Thus, it has been discovered that the leak detection system furnishes important and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, and functional aspects. The resulting configurations are straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile, accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adapting known components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing, application, and utilization.