# US 12,768,750 B2 · Fuel and oil leak detection system

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- Number: US 12,768,750 B2
- Document ID: US12768750B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/583,591
- Filed: 2024-02-21
- Published: 2025-08-21
- Granted: 2026-10-20
- Earliest claimed: 2024-02-21
- Assignees: Rtx Corporation
- Applicants: RTX Corporation
- Inventors: Eric G. Stehlik
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12768750B2

## CPC

- G01M 15/02: Details or accessories of testing apparatus
- G01M 3/045: {with electrical detection means}
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A system includes a housing. The system also includes a membrane disposed within the housing and configured to separate the housing into a lower area and an upper area, the membrane formed of a material that dissolves when exposed to a flammable liquid. The system further includes at least one sensor disposed within the lower area of the housing, the sensor configured to detect a presence of a liquid collected in a pool area corresponding to a bottom surface inside the housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
a housing;
a membrane disposed within the housing and configured to separate the housing into a lower area and an upper area, the membrane formed of a material that dissolves when exposed to a flammable liquid; and
at least one sensor disposed within the lower area of the housing, the sensor configured to detect a presence of a liquid collected in a pool area corresponding to a bottom surface inside the housing,
wherein the housing includes one or more side walls having one or more exit holes provided to allow non-flammable liquid that, during operation, has entered the housing via one or more input holes and accumulated on the membrane to exit the housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the material comprises polystyrene or polypropylene.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an upper wall that includes the one or more input holes, the one or more input holes passing through the upper wall and positioned above the membrane.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a bracket disposed within the housing and configured to hold the sensor in a fixed position within the lower area of the housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is installed at a location such that a space of a predetermined size exists between a liquid sensing element of the sensor and the bottom surface inside the housing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a Peltier plate disposed within the housing and configured to power the sensor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a wired or wireless transmitter coupled to the sensor and configured to enable communication between the sensor and another device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one fire suppression pack disposed within the housing.

### Claim 9

A system comprising:
an aircraft engine; and
one or more leak detection systems disposed on, in, or adjacent to the aircraft engine, each of the one or more leak detection systems comprising:
a housing;
a membrane disposed within the housing and configured to separate the housing into a lower area and an upper area, the membrane formed of a material that dissolves when exposed to a flammable liquid; and
at least one sensor disposed within the lower area of the housing, the sensor configured to detect a presence of a liquid collected in a pool area corresponding to a bottom surface inside the housing,
wherein the housing includes one or more side walls having one or more exit holes provided to allow non-flammable liquid that, during operation, has entered the housing via one or more input holes and accumulated on the membrane to exit the housing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the material comprises polystyrene or polypropylene.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the housing includes an upper wall that includes the one or more input holes, the one or more input holes passing through the upper wall and positioned above the membrane.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, further comprising a bracket disposed within the housing and configured to hold the sensor in a fixed position within the lower area of the housing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor is installed at a location such that a space of a predetermined size exists between a liquid sensing element of the sensor and the bottom surface inside the housing.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, further comprising:
a Peltier plate disposed within the housing and configured to power the sensor.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, further comprising:
a wired or wireless transmitter coupled to the sensor and configured to enable communication between the sensor and another device.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, further comprising:
at least one fire suppression pack disposed within the housing.

### Claim 17 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the aircraft engine and the one or more leak detection systems are disposed within a nacelle.

### Claim 18 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more leak detection systems are installed on or adjacent to an oil or fuel line that forms part of the aircraft engine.