Patent ID: 8316695

Claim:
An apparatus for detecting a leak in a fluid conduit line, comprising: a housing configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid conduit line; a valve including a valve seat coupled to the housing and a valve element movable relative to the valve seat between an opened position wherein fluid is permitted to flow through the valve, and a closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve, the valve having a longitudinal axis; a bypass line having a first end in fluid communication with a first side of the valve and a second end in fluid communication with a second side of the valve, the second end of the bypass line extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve; a fluid flow detector operatively coupled to the bypass line and configured to detect the flow of fluid therethrough; and a first mechanism configured to provide a net positive buoyant force on the valve element when the valve element and first mechanism are immersed in the fluid flowing through the fluid conduit line, the net positive buoyant force configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position.