Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to a system and method for leak detection, and, more particularly, to a system and method for detecting leaks in a liquid filled vessel such as a swimming pool. 
     RELATED ART 
     The use of leak detecting devices are well known in the art, particularly for use in swimming pools. Pools, whether above ground or underground, do leak. Leaks may occur around pool drains, pool lights, skimmers, suction and discharge lines and other pool surfaces, etc. 
     There is a need for a simple leak detection system for a swimming pool that is easy to use for a pool attendant or pool owner. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a leak detecting system and method for detection leaks in water filled vessel, such as a swimming pool. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system that can detect leaks at drains, lights, skimmers, suction and discharge lines, etc. 
     These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a resilient seal adapted to contact the surface of the vessel underwater where a leak is suspected or may be present. A rigid housing is coupled to the seal and has a fitting accessible from the exterior communicating with the interior of the housing and a central aperture of the seal for delivering a fluid such as a dye into the interior of the housing or coupling a flow meter thereto to detect the flow of water into or out of the housing. The dye solution is used for leak detection purposes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a elevational side view of a conventional swimming pool showing the leak detection device prior to installation against the main drain of the pool; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational view of a portion of the leak detection device prior to installation; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a component of the leak detection device of  FIG. 2  taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the leak detection device in position against the pool drainage; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational side view of a conventional pool having 2 drains therein with the leak detection device installed over one drain and a second similar device installed over the second drain; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational view of a modified portion of the leak detection device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the pool of  FIG. 1  showing a conventional pool light installed in the sidewall of the pool and a modified fluid detection device prior to installation; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the fluid detection device of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  showing the fluid detection device sealed to the pool light; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing still another fluid detection device prior to mounting to a suction or discharge pipe of the pool; 
         FIG. 11  is an elevational view of the fluid detection device of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  illustrating operations of the fluid detection device of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the pool of  FIG. 1  showing a conventional skimmer mounted in the side wall and a fluid detection device similar to those discussed in  FIGS. 1 to 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an elevational view of the fluid detection device alone of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 13  showing the fluid detection device in position engaging the pool skimmer; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the pool of  FIG. 1  similar to  FIG. 13  but showing a modified leak detection device in installed position; and 
         FIG. 17  is an elevational view of the fluid detection device alone of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is an elevational side view of a conventional swimming pool  10  showing the main drain  11  at the bottom of the pool below water level  12 . A leak detection device  13  is shown in exploded view. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the leak detection device  13  includes a resilient member  14  which is preferably of rubber, such as a soft synthetic rubber, or any other suitable material. It may be solid or inflatable, and preferably annular, such as circular, circular in outer configuration and of a diameter greater than the diameter of drain  11 , which drains are generally circular. Thus, as seen in  FIG. 3 , member  14  has a central hole or opening  14 ′ communicating with the hollow interior  15 ′ of member  15  (see  FIG. 3A ). 
     Housing  15  thus is secured to member  14  and may be of a solid material, such as plastic, preferably transparent and dome-shaped. A fluid inlet barb  16  may be provided at top of housing  15  communicating with the interior  15 ′ of housing  15  for injecting fluid into the interior  15 ′ of housing  15 . A washer  17 , such as a neophrene washer, may be provided where barb  16  enters housing  15  to provide a liquid—tight seal. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , if member  14  is an inflatable tube, a conventional air inlet  18  may be provided on the bottom wall  19  for inflating tube  14  with air from a suitable exterior source. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , a weighted member  20  may be provided to hold housing  15  and member  14  downwardly in a sealing position against drain  11  as seen in  FIG. 4 . Member  20  is generally a circular ring adapted to encircle housing  15 , as seen in  FIG. 4 , and may be of sufficient weight, such as 10 pounds, to hold device  13  in position against drain  11  creating a seal. Any suitable materials may be used, such as a plastic coated material. 
     In operation, when the leak detection device  13  is installed against the drain  11  of the pool of  FIG. 1 , a conventional flow meter may be connected to barb  16  to detect any leaks therethrough. Alternatively, by connecting a suitable hose to barb  16  and running it to the surface of the pool or the like, components in the pool or the like may be tested for leaks while the operator is above water. Thus, any suitable dye solution such as ordinary food coloring and water may be injected therein. If there is a leak, the dye solution will be sucked into the barb  16  that is functioning as an inlet for housing  23 . If the pool component is not leaking, the dye will not be sucked in but instead maintain a natural swaying motion underwater. 
     Alternatively, the pool owner or operator of pool maintenance may dive underwater with a dye solution and inject it through barb inlet  16  using a syringe or the like. 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , wherein like numerals refer to like parts of  FIG. 1 , pool  21  has 2 drains,  11  and  22 . Here, housing  23 , otherwise similar to housing  15 , does not have a barb inlet  16  as seen in  FIG. 6 . Housing  15  and member  14 , weighted by ring member  20 , is held against drain  22  while drain  11  is tested for leaks as heretofore discussed, since such drains are generally connected as part of the drain system. 
     As seen in  FIG. 7 , wherein like numerals refer to like parts of  FIG. 1 , a conventional pool light  24  is shown mounted in the sidewall of pool  10 . Here, weighted member  20  is not necessary. 
     The fluid detection device  25  of  FIG. 7  is shown having a resilient member  26 , which may be similar to member  14 , and may also be inflatable, a housing  27  which may be similar to housing  15 , and a barb inlet  16  and washer  17  similar to that shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, in this embodiment, a threaded shaft  28  extends through housing  27  and the center of ring  26  and terminates in a conventional suction cup  29  of a resilient material, such as rubber. A resilient washer  30  is provided where shaft  28  enters housing  27 , and a wing nut  31 , which may be of plastic, may be provided threaded on shaft  28 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 7 , shaft  28  extends into a position where cup  29  may engage the outside of dome  32  of light  24 . Member  26  is again preferably circular and of a diameter to cover light  24  abutting against the frame  24 ′ holding dome  32  in position (see  FIG. 9 ). Suction cup  29  abuts against dome  32  and wing nut  31  is tightened to force a seal of detection device  25  to light  24  that is created when tightened. 
     Barb inlet  16  may be used to inject a dye all as previously discussed. 
       FIG. 10  shows still another embodiment of the invention. Here, fluid detection device  33 , otherwise similar to the fluid detection device components  14 ,  15  of  FIG. 1 , shows a conventional suction/discharge pipe  34  of pool  10 . As seen in FIG.  11 , again member  14  is a resilient member that may be a solid ring or an inflatable ring, and housing  27  is similar to housing  27  of  FIG. 8  also having a barbed inlet  16  and washers  17 ,  30 . However, in this embodiment, a hose  35  extends through housing  27 , through the center of member  14 , and terminates at bottom in an inflatable plug  36 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , plug  36  is inserted into pipe  34  and air may be injected into tube  35  by connecting a suitable source of air to threaded fitting  35 ′ at the top of inflating plug  36  which expands, outwardly against the interior wall of pipe  34 , as seen in  FIG. 12 , to seal off the pipe  34 . Again, the leak detection operations discussed above can be carried out through inlet  16 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a skimmer  37  mounted in the side wall of pool  10  and a fluid detection device  38  shown in detail in  FIG. 14 . 
     Here, member  14  and housing  27  may be identical to the member  14  and housing  27  of  FIG. 8 . However, threaded shaft  39 , having wing nut  40  threaded thereon, terminates in a brace  41 , which may be elongated and generally rectangular, and of any suitable material, such as plastic. 
     As seen in  FIG. 15 , brace  41  is inserted into the opening  42  of skimmer  37 , being tilted to facilitate entry, then nut  40  is tightened to seal brace  41  against the inner wall  43  surrounding opening  42  of skimmer  37  sealing off the same as previously, discussed. 
     Again, inlet  16  may be used to carry out the aftermentioned leak detection. 
     Still another modification is shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . The fluid detection device  44  includes a housing  15  and resilient member  14  and inlet  16  similar to that of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  ( FIG. 17 ). However, in this embodiment, an adjustable clamp  45  is coupled to housing  15  and has an elongated portion  46  with a plurality of spaced slots or notches  47  engaged by a tooth  48  of a trigger  49  mounted in a clamp portion  50  extending downwardly from extension portion  46 . By grasping handle  51  and squeezing trigger  49 , into and out of engagement with notches  47 , clamp portion  50  can be ratcheted closed along elongated portion  46  similar to a conventional jar lid opener. Thus, as seen in  FIG. 16 , clamp portion  50  is extending down into the interior of skimmer  37 , the skimmer lid having been removed, abutting against inner wall  43 , and sealing resilient member  14  and housing  15  against the opening  42  leading into skimmer  37  when trigger  49  is squeezed and clamp portion  50  latches closed. 
     It can be seen that there are described various embodiments of the invention. Variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope of the invention should only be limited by the scope of the appended claims. Any suitable materials or dimensions may be used to carry out the teachings of the invention. Member  14  need only be of a sufficient size to completely surround and seal against the pool component being tested for leaks.

Technology Category: 3