Method and apparatus for deactivating a hydraulic device that is leaking hydraulic oil

A method of deactiving a hydraulic device, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a hydraulic device that is capable of being operated under water, the device having a hydraulic cylinder with a pushrod and a piston;
• b) lowering the device below a water surface with a hose reel that is located at the water surface area;
• c) wherein the hose reel of step “b” includes first and second hydraulic hoses that connect to the cylinder on opposing sides of the piston;
• d) intermittently monitoring fluid flow in the first and second hydraulic hoses;
• e) continuously comparing the volume of fluid that enters the pushrod retraction chamber section of the cylinder with the pushrod extension section of the cylinder;
• and
• f) deactiving the hydraulic device if the ratio varies from a preset value.

A hydraulic power unit leak detection apparatus, comprising:

• a) a hydraulic device that is operated with a prime mover, pump, and hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder, pushrod, and piston;
• b) the cylinder having a first chamber that is receptive of hydraulic fluid when extending the pushrod and a second chamber that is receptive of hydraulic fluid when retracting the pushrod;
• c) a first hydraulic fluid flow line that supplies hydraulic fluid to the first chamber;
• d) a second hydraulic flow line that supplies hydraulic fluid to the second chamber;
• e) a computer that continuously monitors the ratio of the volume of fluid entering the first chamber to the volume of fluid entering the second chamber;
• and
• f) the computer operatively connected to the prime mover so that the computer can deactivate the prime mover when the ratio varies from a preset acceptable value of said ratio.