IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF TELEPHONES OR MICROPHONES TO PIPES OR VESSELS GASES AND AIR FOR THE FLUIDS CONTAINING AND CONVEYING LIQUIDS Communicated to him from PURPOSE OF DETECTING LEAKAGE THEREFROM.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Abbott Quincey Ross of Cincinnati in the County of
Hamilton State of Ohio United States of North America now residing
at No 52 Chancery Lane London for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE APPLICATION OF TELEPHONES OR MICROPHONES TO PIPES OR VESSELS
GASES AND AIR FOR THE
FLUIDS
CONTAINING AND CONVEYING LIQUIDS
Communicated to him from
PURPOSE OF DETECTING LEAKAGE THEREFROM.
abroad by Thomas Jefferson Bell of Cincinnati in the County of Hamilton,
State of Ohio United States of North America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Abbott Quincey Ross at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th July 1882.
ABBOTT QUINCEY Ross of Cincinnati in the County of Hamilton State of
Ohio United States of North America now of No 52 Chancery Lane London
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF TELEPHONES OR MICROPHONES TO PIPES
FOR
OR VESSELS CONTAINING AND CONVEYING LIQUIDS FLUIDS GASES AND AIR
A Communication to me from
THE PURPOSE OF DETECTING LEAKAGE THEREFROM.
Abroad by Thomas Jefferson Bell of Cincinnati in the County of Hamilton State
of Obio United States of North America.
My Invention relates to the application of any known Telephonic or Microphonic
Apparatus, for detecting leaks in pipes or vessels, containing and conveying under
pressure liquids fluids gases or air either underground or otherwise, but moro
especially for detecting leaks in service pipes supplying Cities Towns or Villages
with water or gas.
Such pipes being laid in sections with numerous joints concealed from sight are
extremely liable to injuries from settling of the ground and other causes, by which
the joints are opened or the pipes broken; while the water apparatus in buildings

page_text: i
is also liable to injury from similar causes and leakage from careless and
improvident use of the same.
The object of my invention is to enable leaks to be detected in inaccessible
places in such pipes with a view to repairs in the same and the correction of
abuses in the use of water privileges. In carrying out my invention I avail
myself of the well known conductivity of continuous lines of metal such as water
pipes for sound vibration; the escape of water under pressure from mains or
service pipes producing a sound more or less distinct according to the head or
pressure of water the size of the leak orifice, and the distance between the same
from the point of observation, (that is the length of pipe through which the sound
is conducted.
I find that by the employment of a telephonic or microphonic apparatus suitably
constructed for concentrating and amplifying the sound variations thus transmitted
through the pipes from the point of escape. Leaks of even a minute character
may be ascertained and located with accuracy.
By my invention I am enabled to detect leaks in the service pipes of buildings
without entering the same and in the street mains without having to resort to
expensive excavations for this purpose, thus obviously conducing to the more
efficient and economical administrations of the water supply of Cities. It may also
be applied with advantage to gas mains where the same conditions exist as already
described.
My invention further consists in the method of ascertaining and locating leaks
in service pipes for water and gas in cities and Towns by amplifying and rendering
perceptable the transmitted sound vibrations caused by the escape of fluids under
pressure.
It further consists in the employment as a means of ascertaining and locating
leaks in underground pipes used for water gas and air of a sound conducting rod
'to be applied to such pipes or their fittings at convenient points and a sound
'amplifying instrument for detecting sound vibrations conducted from the leakage
point.
It further consists in the instrument hereinafter described adapted to water and
gas mains and the like for concentrating and amplifying the sound, vibrations due
to leakage whereby they are rendered audible.
My invention may be effectuated by any form of apparatus having the functions
of a telephone or microphone and adapted to amplify the sound vibrations
transmitted through the pipes and render the same perceptable to the senses. One
form of the apparatus which I have devised for this purpose consists essentially of
a metal diaphragm mounted centrally upon a metallic support in a chamber to
which the car can be conveniently applied.
The device as constructed consists of a body portion of metal or other suitablo
material and a cap constituting the cover of the sound chamber. The cap may be
composed of hard rubber or other suitable material and is provided with an annular
flange by which it is attached to the body and has its upper surface concave and
perforated for convenient application to the ear.
The corresponding upper portion of the body piece is hollowed out, to form with
the cap, which fits over it, a chamber, in which chamber, and upon a stud projecting
upwards centrally from the body piece is mounted a thin metal diaphragm At the
extreme lower end of the body picce projects a screw threaded lug or stem which
affords means of attaching the apparatus to the rod or key, which latter is the
implement employed to manipulate the stop cock beneath the surface of the ground
in the pipe for detecting leaks.
When the body piece is wholly of metal the stud and lug are preferably made as
part of the body, but when the body piece is of wood or other material
having a lower degree of conductivity for sound, than metal a metallic rod is
inserted longitudinally through the body, the upper end constituting the stud

page_text: for supporting the diaphragm and the lower end threaded as a substitute for the
lug or stem.
The most convenient form for use of my apparatus in detecting leaks in water
mains is as follows.
A rod or key is inserted into the usual opening or box in the street provided for
access to the stop cock in the pipe leading from the street main into the house The
rod or key being fitted on the plug of the stop cock and the microphonic apparatus
before described being attached to the rod or key by means of its screw lug and a
connection for the transmission of sound vibrations is thus.established between the
apparatus and the water pipe when by placing the ear at the opening in the cap
the sound vibrations caused by the escaping water or by the passage of water
through the pipe on its way to the place of leakage may be distinguished, these
vibrations being transmitted through the pipes and rod to the apparatus described
where they are converted into amplified atmospheric vibrations by means of the
diaphragm and thus rendered audible. It will be readily understood that the
vibrations due to such leakage will become more and more perceptible as the actual
locality of the leak is approached and it will be obvious therefore that the testing
at various consecutive points where means of access to the pipes exist, the locality
of the leak will readily be discovered.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Abbott Quincey Ross in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th January 1883.
ABBOTT QUINCY Ross of Cincinnati in the County of Hamilton State of
Ohio United States of North America IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF
TELEPHONES OR MICROPHONES TO PIPES OR VESSELS CONTAINING AND CONVEYING
FLUIDS GASES AND AIR FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETECTING LEAKAGE THEREFROM.
A Communication to me from Abroad by Thomas Jefferson Bell of Cincinnati
in the County of Hamilton State of Ohio United States of North America
My Invention relates to the application of any known Telephonic or Microphonic
Apparatus for detecting leaks in pipes or vessels containing and conveying under
pressure liquids fluids gases or air cither underground or otherwise, but more
especially for detecting leaks in service pipes supplying Cities Towns or Villages
with water or gas.
Such pipes being laid in sections with numerous joints concealed from sight are
extremely liable to injuries from settling of the ground and other causes by which
the joints are opened or the pipes broken; while the water apparatus in buildings
is also liable to injury from similar causes and leakage from careless and impro-
vident use of the same.
The object of my invention is to enable leaks to be detected in otherwise
inaccessible places in such pipes with a view to repair the same and the correction
of abuses in the use of water privileges. In carrying out my invention I avail
myself of the well known conductivity of continuous lines of metal such as water
pipes for sound vibration, the escape of water under pressure from mains or service
pipes producing a sound more or less distinct according to the head or pressure of
water the size of the leak orifice and the distance of the same from the point of
observation that is the length of pipe through which the sound is conducted.
I find that by the employment of a telephonic or microphonic apparatus suitably
constructed, for concentrating and amplifying the sound vibrations thus trans-
mitted through the pipes from the point of escape, Leaks of even a minute
character may be ascertained and located with accuracy.
By my invention I am enabled to detect leaks in the service pipes of buildings
without entering the same and in the street mains without having to resort to
expensive excavations for this purpose thus obviously conducing to the more
efficient and economical administration of the water supply of Cities Towns
Villages &c. It may also be applied with advantage to gas mains where the same
conditions exist, as above described.
My Invention further consists in the method of ascertaining and locating leaks
in service pipes for water and gas in Cities and Towns by amplifying and
rendering perceptable the transmitted sound vibrations caused by the escape of
fluids under pressure.
It consists further in the employment as a means of ascertaining and locating leaks
in underground pipes used for water gas air &c. of a sound conducting rod to be
applied to such pipes or their fittings at convenient points and a sound amplifying
instrument for detecting sound vibrations conducted from the leakage point.
It consists further in the instrument hereinafter described, adapted to be applied
to water and gas mains and the like for consentrating and amplifying the sound
vibrations due to leakage whereby they are rendered audible.
In order to give a fuller understanding of my invention reference is made to the
accompanying drawings and letters of reference marked thereon.

page_text: Fig. 1. represents the apparatus as applied to an underground water main and
service pipe.
Figs 2, and 3, are sectional views showing different forms of construction.
Fig. 4, is an end view of the body of the apparatus.-and.
Fig. 5, represents the crown face of the cap.
My Invention may be effectuated by any form of apparatus having the functions
of a telephone or microphone and adapted to amplify the sound vibrations trans-
mitted through the pipes and render the same perceptible to the senses.
One form of the apparatus which I have devised for this purpose consists essen-
tially of a metal diaphragın, D, mounted centrally upon a metallic support G in a
chamber H to which the ear can be conveniently applied.
The device is constructed as follows, A is the body portion composed of metal
or other suitable material and B is the cap constituting the cover of the sound
chamber H Said cap, B, may be composed of hard rubber or other suitable
material and is provided with an annular flange, J, by which it is attached to the
body and has its upper surface concave and perforated at, F, for conveniently
applying it to the ear.
The corresponding upper portion of the body piece A is hollowed out, to form
with the cap which fits over it a chamber, in said chamber and upon a stud, G,
projecting upward centrally from the body piece A is mounted a thin metal
diaphragm D. At the extreme lower end of the body piece A projects a screw
threaded lug or stem C which affords a means of attaching the apparatus to the
rod or key N which latter is the implement employed to manipulate the stop
cock L beneath the surface of the ground in the pipe for detecting leaks.
When the body piece A is composed wholly of metal the stud and lug are
preferably made as part of the body, but when the body piece is of wood or other
material having a lower degree of conductivity for sound, then a metallic rod is
inserted longitudinally through the body the upper end constituting the stud for
supporting the diaphragm and the lower end threaded as a substitute for the
lug or stem. The most convenient form for use of my apparatus in detecting leaks
in water or gas mains is as follows.
The rod or key N is inserted into the usual opening or box in the street provided
for access to the stop cock L and the microphonic apparatus before described being
attached to the rod or key by means of its screw lug and a connection for the
transmission of sound vibrations, is thus established between the apparatus and
the water pipe whereby placing the ear at the opening F in the cap the sound
vibrations, caused by the escaping water or by the passage of water through the
pipe on its way to the place of leakage may be distinguished, these vibrations
being transmitted through the pipes and rod to the apparatus hereinbefore
described where they are converted into amplified atmospheric vibrations by
means of the diaphragm, D, and thus rendered audible:-
It will be readily understood that the vibrations due to such leakage will become
more and more perceptible as the actual locality of the leak is approached and it
will be obvious therefore that the testing at various consecutive points where means
of access to the pipes exist the locality of the leak will readily be discovered.
I have for the purpose of illustration, shown the microphonic apparatus as
applied to the service pipes M, by means of and in connection with the ordinary
turn key, N, used to manipulate the stop cock L at the usual side walk box, O, or
opening provided for access to the service pipe leading from the street main K. to
a building but it will be obvious that any suitable conductor of sound vibrations
may be employed;-such as a wire or rod-connecting the pipe with the apparatus,
I do not therefore confine myself to the method of use shown, as all others are
within the spirit of my invention which utilize the sound conductivity of the
pipes and extend the same to the converting apparatus; nor do I wish to confine
myself to the particular forin or construction of microphonic apparatus described
as many other forms of apparatus may be devised which will effectuate the
principles of my invention.

page_text: Having now described the nature and construction of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, what I claim and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is :---
1. The method of ascertaining and locating leaks or improper use of water in
service mains and pipes in Cities and buildings consisting in receiving amplifying,
and converting the molecular vibrations induced in such pipes by the escaping
water and conveying the same to the ear by means of a suitable microphonic
apparatus applied to such mains or pipes, substantially as herein set forth.
2. The microphonic apparatus consisting essentially of a metallic diaphragm D,
centrally mounted upon a stud or transmitting rod in a sound chamber and
adapted to be applied to water or gas mains for the detection of leaks substantially
as described.
3. The herein described leak detector consisting of a body piece A provided with
a stud G and lug C cap piece B having an opening F and a diaphragm D mounted
in the chamber formed by the cap and body piece, substantially as described.
4 The combination of the body piece A. cap B stud G and metal diaphragm D
placed between the cap and the body substantially as set forth.
5 An apparatus for transmitting the sounds of leakage in fluid conduits to the
ear of an attendant or inspector consisting of the microphonic leak detector A and
the key N the latter adapted to be applied to the cock of the service pipe
substantially as described and set forth in the foregoing specification and
accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Abbott Quincey Ross have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord
1883.
ABBOTT QUINCEY ROSS (L.S.)