# US 10,309,859 B2 · Carpet probe for leak detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,859 B2 - Document ID: US10309859B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/512,268 - Filed: 2015-09-15 - Published: 2017-09-28 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-25 - Assignees: Inficon GmbH - Applicants: INFICON GmbH - Inventors: Fredrick Enquist - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309859B2 ## CPC - G01M 3/04: by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point - G01M 3/22: for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; {for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators} - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A carpet probe for detecting leaks in underground gas pipes, including a handle (12), a wheel (16) connected to the handle (12), and a flat carpet element (14) connected to the wheel (16) and including a sniffing inlet (28) connected to a gas sensor (18), is characterized in that the wheel (16) is the only wheel (16) of the carpet probe adapted for rolling on a ground surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A carpet probe for detecting leaks in underground gas pipes, comprising a handle, a wheel connected to the handle, and a flat carpet element connected to the wheel and comprising a sniffing inlet connected to a gas sensor, wherein the wheel is the only wheel of the carpet probe configured for rolling on a ground surface, and a connection between the carpet element and the wheel comprises at least two axes of freedom being orthogonal to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The carpet probe according to claim 1, wherein the wheel is fitted on an axle to which the handle and/or the carpet element are connected. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The carpet probe according to claim 2, wherein the handle is connected to the axle via a fork on both sides of the wheel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The carpet probe according to claim 3, wherein the fork is rotatable about the axle in a rotating condition and is configured to be brought into a locking condition in which a locking mechanism is activated to restrict relative rotation between the fork and the axle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The carpet probe according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to restrict relative rotation between the handle and the carpet element in the locking condition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The carpet probe according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be activated by pulling the handle away from the wheel at a particular rotational position of the handle with regard to the axle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The carpet probe according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pin on the fork or the frame element, respectively, and a hole in the axle or vice versa. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The carpet probe according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first flat engaging surface on the axle and a second flat engaging surface on the fork or frame element, respectively, wherein the two engaging surfaces do not engage in the rotating condition and are brought into sliding engagement when the locking mechanism is brought into the locking condition. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The carpet probe according to claim 3, wherein the fork engages the axle on both sides of the wheel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The carpet probe according to claim 2, wherein the carpet element is flexible and connected to the axle via a frame element carrying the carpet element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The carpet probe according to claim 10, wherein the frame element is a bow connected to the axle on both sides of the wheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The carpet probe according to claim 10, wherein the frame element is rotatable about the axle in a rotating condition and is configured to be brought into a locking condition in which a locking mechanism is activated to restrict relative rotation between the frame element and the axle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The carpet probe according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to restrict relative rotation between the handle and the carpet element in the locking condition. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The carpet probe according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be activated by pulling the handle away from the wheel at a particular rotational position of the handle with regard to the axle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The carpet probe according to claim 12, wherein the handle is connected to the axle via a fork; and wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pin on the fork or the frame element, respectively, and a hole in the axle or vice versa. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The carpet probe according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first flat engaging surface on the axle and a second flat engaging surface on the fork or frame element, respectively, wherein the two engaging surfaces do not engage in the rotating condition and are brought into sliding engagement when the locking mechanism is brought into the locking condition. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The carpet probe according to claim 1, wherein the carpet element and/or the handle are detachable from the wheel and/or wherein the gas sensor is detachably connected to the handle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The carpet probe according to claim 1, wherein the carpet element is connected to a frame element.