Patent ID: 7500383

Claim:
A method of constructing, and monitoring the integrity of, a permeable structure disposed in an environment containing a fluid at an ambient pressure, said method comprising the steps of: constructing the permeable structure of one or more elements and forming at least one cavity in or on the permeable structure, wherein a portion of a surface of at least one of the structure elements forms a part of an internal surface of the cavity; providing a sealant or bonding material capable of maintaining a seal under a source of a first fluid at a first pressure greater than the ambient pressure; placing the at least one cavity in fluid communication with the source; coupling a high fluid flow impedance in series between the at least one cavity and the source, the impedance being sufficiently high to create a pressure differential between said at least one cavity and said source resulting from a breach in the portion of the surface; and monitoring for a change in differential pressure.