Apparatus and method for detecting fluid leakage

A visual indicator device adapted to be connected in fluid communication with fluid leaked into an enclosed leakage chamber past a fluid seal;

• said visual indicator device comprising:
• an elongate body having a central bore therethrough;
• a fluid inlet chamber adjacent one end of said body adapted to be in fluid communication with said enclosed leakage chamber;
• a piston mounted within said fluid inlet chamber;
• and
• an elongate rod-like signal member mounted in said bore for movement with said piston between three positions;
• a first normal operating position, a second fluid operated outwardly projected position in which said signal member is projected outwardly for visual observation, and a third manually operated position in which leaked fluid may bypass said piston.

In combination,

• a fluid indicator device adapted to be connected in fluid communication with fluid leaked past a fluid seal into an enclosed leakage chamber;
• a fluid inspection device adapted to be detachably connected to said fluid indicator device to receive therefrom fluid leaked into said enclosed leakage chamber;
• said fluid indicator device comprising a body having a central bore therethrough,
• a fluid inlet chamber adjacent one end of said body in continuous fluid communication with said enclosed leakage chamber,
• a piston mounted within said fluid inlet chamber, and
• a signal member responsive to said piston mounted in said bore for movement with said piston between a first normal operating position and a second fluid operated signal position in which said signal member indicates an abnormal operation;
• said fluid inspection device comprising fluid actuating means operable upon connection of said fluid inspection device to said indicator device to receive leaked fluid from said inlet chamber for inspection.

A fluid inspection device adapted to be removably connected to a projecting end of a visual indicator device for leaked fluid upon removal of a transparent end cover to receive leaked fluid for inspection from a fluid inlet piston chamber having a reciprocable piston therein after a visual indication of fluid leakage by said indicator device;

• said fluid inspection device comprising:
• an adaptor for threadedly engaging an end of said visual indicator device after removal of said transparent end cover;
• and
• a manually actuated piston actuating member effective upon manual actuation to move said piston to a fluid bypass position to permit flow of fluid from said inlet chamber to bypass said piston to said fluid inspection device.

In combination,

• a fluid indicator device adapted to be connected in fluid communication with fluid leaked past a fluid seal into an enclosed leakage chamber;
• a sealant injector adapted to be detachably connected to said visual indicator device to inject sealant into said enclosed leakage chamber;
• said fluid indicator device comprising a body having a central bore therethrough;
• a fluid inlet chamber adjacent one end of said body adapted to be in fluid communication with said enclosed leakage chamber;
• a piston mounted within said fluid inlet chamber;
• means to move said piston to a bypass position to permit fluid to said fluid inlet chamber to bypass said piston;
• and
• a signal member responsive to said piston mounted in said bore for movement with said piston between a first normal operating position and a second fluid operated signal position in which said signal member indicates an abnormal operation;
• said sealant injector comprising fluid actuating means operable upon connection of said sealant injector to said indicator device to inject sealant into said inlet chamber and said enclosed leakage chamber when said piston is in said bypass position.

A method of visually detecting the presence of a fluid leaked into an area between two spaced seals and for determining the composition of the leaked fluid after visual detection;

• said method comprising the following steps:
• providing a visual indicator device having a visually observable indicator member responsive to the leaked fluid;
• providing fluid communication between the area between the two spaced seals and the visual indicator device to move the indicator member to a visually observable position upon the leakage of fluid into said area;
• providing a fluid inspection device for detachable connection to said visual indicator device after the movement of said indicator member to said visually observable position;
• manually permitting the flow of leaked fluid from said visual indicator device to said fluid inspection device;
• and
• determining the composition of said leaked fluid in said fluid inspection device.

A method of detecting the presence of a fluid leaked into an enclosed leakage chamber past a seal and for injecting a sealant into the enclosed leakage chamber for minimizing fluid leakage;

• said method comprising the following steps:
• providing a fluid indicator device having a signal member responsive to leaked fluid;
• providing fluid communication between the enclosed leakage chamber and the signal member to move the signal member to a position for indicating fluid leakage;
• providing a sealant injector for detachable connection to said fluid indicator device after the movement of said signal member to the position indicating fluid leakage;
• manually moving said signal member to a position to permit fluid communication between said sealant injector and said enclosed leakage chamber;
• and
• providing sealant from said sealant injector to said enclosed leakage chamber to minimize leakage of fluid thereat.

A visual indicator device adapted to be connected in fluid communication with fluid leaked into an enclosed leakage chamber past a fluid seal;

• said visual indicator device comprising:
• an elongate body having a central bore therethrough;
• a fluid inlet chamber adjacent one end of said body adapted to be in fluid communication with said enclosed leakage chamber;
• a piston mounted within said fluid inlet chamber;
• and
• an elongated rod-like signal member mounted in said bore for movement with said piston between three positions;
• a first normal operating position, a second fluid operated outwardly projected position in which said signal member is projected outwardly for visual observation, and a third manually operated position in which leaked fluid may bypass said piston;
• said body having a piston chamber in which said piston is mounted for movement, and a fluid bypass passage adjacent said piston chamber to permit leaked fluid from said inlet chamber to bypass said piston in said third manually operated position, said rod-like signal member having a central bore to receive leaked fluid from said inlet chamber bypassing said piston in said third manually operated position.

In combination,

• a fluid indicator device adapted to be connected in fluid communication with fluid leaked past a fluid seal into an enclosed leakage chamber;
• a fluid inspection device adapted to be detachably connected to said fluid indicator device to receive therefrom fluid leaked into said enclosed leakage chamber;
• said fluid indicator device comprising a body having a central bore therethrough,
• a fluid inlet chamber adjacent one end of said body in continuous fluid communication with said enclosed leakage chamber,
• a piston mounted within said fluid inlet chamber, and
• a signal member responsive to said piston mounted in said bore for movement with said piston between a first normal operating position and a second fluid operated signal position in which said signal member indicates an abnormal operation;
• said fluid inspection device comprising fluid actuating means operable upon connection of said fluid inspection device to said indicator device to receive leaked fluid from said inlet chamber for inspection;
• said body having a piston chamber in which said piston is mounted for movement and a fluid bypass passage adjacent said piston chamber to permit leaked fluid from said inlet chamber to bypass said piston upon movement of said piston to a third manually operated position;
• and
• said fluid actuating means upon manual connection of said fluid inspection means to said fluid indicator device moving said piston to said third manually operated position to receive fluid through said fluid bypass passage for inspection by said fluid inspection device.