Detection of step charges of pressure in vessels and apparatus therefor
AssigneeImperial Chemical Industries PLC
InventorsPeter Atkinson, Bernard D. Allan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Detectors for monitoring step changes of pressure in a vessel, for example a pipeline, include sensors outside the vessel for detecting a change in its dimensions resulting from a fall in pressure occurring at a minimum rate of 0.005 bars per second which is not followed by a corresponding rise in pressure within 0.05 seconds. They are useful in detecting leaks.
Claims7
A detector for monitoring step changes of pressure in a vessel which comprises means outside the vessel for detecting a change in the dimensions of the vessel, said means being mounted on a jubilee clip for clamping around the vessel and said means being surrounded by a potting compound to protect it from moisture and impact;
- and a filter adapted to pass from the said means substantially only signals characteristic of dimensional changes resulting from a fall in pressure of the vessel occurring at a minimum rate of 0.005 bars per second which is not followed by a rise in pressure at that minimum rate within 0.05 seconds.
Apparatus for detecting leaks in pipelines which comprises two or more detectors each including means outside the pipeline for detecting a change in the dimensions of the pipeline and a filter adapted to pass from said means substantially only signals characteristic of dimensional changes resulting from a fall in pressure in the pipeline occurring at a minimum rate of 0.005 bars per second which is not followed by a rise in pressure at that minimum rate within 0.05 seconds, said detectors being situated at successive stations along the pipeline;
- and means for processing signals from both detectors and for producing a signal indicating the position of a leak in response to the time relationship between the detected signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.