Pressure leak detection device

Abstract

A pressure testing device for detecting leaks in shipping vessels such as tank cars, delivery pipes, and tanker trucks. A hand-operated pump provides a source of pressure, with the pump having a hand plunger reciprocating within a pump body with handles at each end. At the end opposite the plunger handle there is a bifurcated fitting with a one-way valve in each of its two branches, with a first branch permitting only pump intake, and the second branch permitting only pump discharge. Both branches are fitted with quick-disconnect couplings which mate with a detachable flexible hose terminating in a test closure or pressure fitting having a shutoff valve and a pressure gauge. In use, the operator attaches the test closure to the vessel or pipe to be tested, attaches the hose to the proper coupling for delivery of the positive or negative pressure differential as desired, and operates the reciprocating hand plunger until the desired pressure differential is indicated on the gauge. The shutoff valve is then closed, and the gauge is observed to detect any pressure variation over time which would indicate a leak in the vessel. The pump is sized so that the operator can achieve a full stroke by holding the opposite handles with both hands in the manner of an archer drawing a bow. The pump body handles also serve as a storage frame for winding and storing the flexible hose.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.