Systems and methods for leak detection and sealing

A system for detecting and sealing a leak in a pressure controlled transportation system comprising a pressure controlled environment having a wall with an outer and an inner surface and an interior, and a hole passing through the wall that defines the leak in the pressure controlled transportation system, the system comprising:

• at least two sensors provided within the interior of the pressure controlled environment that are structured and arranged to detect the leak;
• a controller in communication with the at least two sensors;
• a membrane deployer in communication with the controller;
• and
• a sealing membrane deployable by the membrane deployer and structured and arranged to provide a pressure-tight seal over the hole on the outer surface of the wall to seal the leak, wherein
• the membrane deployer is an aerial vehicle, and
• the aerial vehicle is structured and arranged to transport the sealing membrane to the hole and to deploy the sealing membrane.

A system for detecting and sealing a leak in a pressure controlled transportation system comprising a pressure controlled environment having a wall with an outer and an inner surface and an interior, and a hole passing through the wall that defines the leak in the pressure controlled transportation system, the system comprising:

• at least two sensors provided within the interior of the pressure controlled environment that are structured and arranged to detect the leak;
• a controller in communication with the at least two sensors;
• a membrane deployer in communication with the controller;
• and
• a sealing membrane deployable by the membrane deployer and structured and arranged to provide a pressure-tight seal over the hole on the outer surface of the wall to seal the leak,
• wherein the at least two sensors comprises a first sensor and a second sensor that are arranged at positions that are spaced apart by a predetermined distance within the interior of the pressure controlled environment, and
• wherein the first sensor is structured and arranged to measure a characteristic associated with a first leading shockwave emanating from the hole,
• the second sensor is structured and arranged to measure a characteristic associated with a second leading shockwave emanating from the hole, and
• the controller is configured to approximate a position of the hole based upon the measured characteristic associated with the first leading shockwave, the measured characteristic associated with the second leading shockwave, and the predetermined distance.

A system for detecting and sealing a leak in a pressure controlled transportation system comprising a pressure controlled environment having a wall with an outer and an inner surface and an interior, and a hole passing through the wall that defines the leak in the pressure controlled transportation system, the system comprising:

• at least two sensors provided within the interior of the pressure controlled environment that are structured and arranged to detect the leak;
• a controller in communication with the at least two sensors;
• a membrane deployer in communication with the controller;
• and
• a sealing membrane deployable by the membrane deployer and structured and arranged to provide a pressure-tight seal over the hole on the outer surface of the wall to seal the leak, wherein
• the sealing membrane comprises a membrane material and an adhesive provided on a pressure controlled environment-facing side of the membrane material, and
• the adhesive is structured and arranged to adhere to the outer surface of the pressure controlled environment and to resist a pressure differential that urges portions of the sealing membrane through the hole.

A system for detecting and sealing a leak in a pressure controlled transportation system comprising a pressure controlled environment having a wall with an outer and an inner surface and an interior, and a hole passing through the wall that defines the leak in the pressure controlled transportation system, the system comprising:

• at least two sensors provided within the interior of the pressure controlled environment that are structured and arranged to detect the leak;
• a controller in communication with the at least two sensors;
• a membrane deployer in communication with the controller;
• and
• a sealing membrane deployable by the membrane deployer and structured and arranged to provide a pressure-tight seal over the hole on the outer surface of the wall to seal the leak, wherein
• the sealing membrane comprises at least one gauge operable to measure at least one characteristic associated with the sealing membrane and operable to communicate the characteristic to the controller.

A method for detecting an approximate position of a leak in a pressure controlled transportation system comprising a pressure controlled environment having a wall with an outer and an inner surface and an interior, and a hole passing through the wall that defines the leak in the pressure controlled transportation system, at least a first and a second sensor arranged at respective positions a predetermined distance apart within the interior of the pressure controlled environment, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensor, the method comprising:

• communicating the positions of the first and second sensors within the interior of the pressure controlled environment to the controller;
• measuring, with the first sensor, a characteristic associated with a first leading shockwave emanating from the hole;
• measuring, with the second sensor, a characteristic associated with a second leading shockwave emanating from the hole;
• and
• calculating, using the controller, an approximate position of the hole in the pressure controlled environment based upon the positions of the first and second sensors, the characteristic associated with the first leading shockwave, and the characteristic associated with the second leading shockwave.

A method for detecting and sealing a leak in a pressure controlled transportation system comprising a pressure controlled environment having a wall with an outer and an inner surface, and an interior, a hole passing through the wall that defines the leak in the pressure controlled transportation system, at least a first and a second sensor arranged at respective positions a predetermined distance apart within the interior of the pressure controlled environment, a controller in communication with the first and second sensor, an aerial vehicle in communication with the controller, and a sealing membrane deployable by the aerial vehicle and structured and arranged to provide a pressure-tight seal over the hole on the outer surface of the wall to seal the leak, the method comprising:

• communicating the positions of the first and second sensors within the interior of the pressure controlled environment to the controller;
• measuring, with the first sensor, a characteristic associated with a first leading shockwave emanating from the hole;
• measuring, with the second sensor, a characteristic associated with a second leading shockwave emanating from the hole;
• calculating, using the controller, an approximate position of the hole in the pressure controlled environment based upon the positions of the first and second sensors, the characteristic associated with the first leading shockwave, and the characteristic associated with the second leading shockwave;
• instructing, using the controller, the aerial vehicle to transport the sealing membrane to the approximate position of the hole;
• and
• deploying the sealing membrane from the aerial vehicle to seal the leak.