US 11,733,120 B2Granted

Apparatus and methods for testing the integrity of containment sumps

OwnerDaniel W. Brevardinventor

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Abstract

Methods for testing the integrity of a containment sump in contact with a matrix with a testing apparatus are provided. The testing apparatus may include an underground fixture positioned in contact the matrix, a test chamber, a conduit structure providing fluid communication between the underground fixture and the test chamber, and a pressure source for exerting a pressure that is communicated to the underground fixture via the conduit structure. In some embodiments, a method may include: releasing a test media into the containment sump; generating a negative pressure within the testing apparatus for a time period; and testing for the presence of test media within the testing apparatus. In other embodiments, a method may include: releasing a test media into the testing apparatus; generating a positive pressure within the testing apparatus for a time period; and testing for the presence of test media within the containment sump.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method for testing the integrity of a containment sump in contact with a matrix with a testing apparatus, the testing apparatus comprising at least one underground fixture, a test chamber, a conduit structure providing fluid communication between the underground fixture and the test chamber, and a pressure source for exerting a pressure that is communicated to the underground fixture via the conduit structure, the method comprising:

positioning the at least one underground fixture proximate to the containment sump in contact with the matrix;
releasing a test media into the testing apparatus such that the test media enters the at least one underground fixture;
generating a positive pressure within the testing apparatus for a time period, the positive pressure being communicated to the at least one underground fixture to force the test media out of the at least one underground fixture and into the matrix surrounding the containment sump;
and
testing for the presence of test media within the containment sump.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/690,818Filed 9 Mar 2022 · division
Priority: 21 Jun 2017
Published: US 2022/0196511 A123 Jun 2022
Granted: 22 Aug 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G01M 3/226
For pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators: for containers, e.g. radiators
G01M 3/04
By using fluid or vacuum: by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
G01M 3/20
By detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point: using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
G01M 3/205
Using mass spectrometer detection systems: accessories or associated equipment; Pump constructions

Family

Application62/522,795Us provisional application · filed 21 Jun 2017
Application15/993,794Parent of this division · filed 31 May 2018
US 2022/0196511 A1Pre-grant publication · published 23 Jun 2022
US 11,274,987 B2Parent of this division
US 2018/0372578 A1Published application
US 11,733,120 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.