Method and apparatus for lining outdoor fluid containment areas to facilitate electrical leak detection
AssigneeGundle Lining Construction Corporation
InventorJohn L. Spencer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for waterproofing soil utilizing a flexible plastic sheet for providing a water barrier provides a system for readily detecting the presence of holes in the plastic material. The sheet includes a plastic layer which may be rendered electrically conductive by embedding conductive particles within it. The integrity of the sheet may then be monitored by establishing an electric field across the sheet and monitoring for sparks between the conductive plastic layer and a probe. Reliable and economical testing is possible, even in situation where electrical leak testing was not previously feasible.
Claims38
A flexible thermoplastic sheet for forming a liner for an outdoor earthen fluid containment area, said thermoplastic sheet having an upper flexible plastic layer and a lower flexible plastic layer adapted to be positioned over said containment area, said lower plastic layer being adapted to sufficiently conduct electricity to enable detection of pin hole leaks in the liner by establishing a potential difference between a probe within the containment area and said lower plastic layer, said sheet being adapted to be maintained for flexure in use over said containment area so as to at least approximately conform to the shape of the containment area.
A method for waterproofing an area of soil comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a flexible plastic sheet with a region capable of conducting sufficient electricity to enable pin hole leaks to be reliably located by establishing a potential difference between a probe within the containment area and said flexible plastic sheet;
- (b) covering the soil to be waterproofed with a plurality of said flexible sheets;
- (c) aligning said sheets in an abutting fashion to create a seam region between adjoining sheets;
- and
- (d) permanently joining said abutting sheets to provide a continuous and uninterrupted barrier of plastic facing the area from which liquid is to be barred.
A flexible thermoplastic liner for an outdoor earthen fluid containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface adapted to lie over said containment area, said liner having a flexible layer containing conductive particles, said layer being situated proximate to said lower surface, and being adapted to serve as a conductive region for the detection of liner holes by establishing a potential difference between a probe within the containment area and said layer containing conductive particles, said liner being adapted to be maintained for flexible in use over said containment area so as to at least approximately conform to the shape of the containment area.
A thermoplastic liner for an outdoor earthen fluid containment area, said thermoplastic liner having an upper surface and a lower surface adapted to lie on said fluid containment area, said liner having a conductive region encapsulated within said liner, said conductive region having a volume resistivity of less than 280 ohm-cm, said liner being flexible, such that said conductive region is adapted to sufficiently conduct electricity to enable detection of pin hole leaks in the liner by establishing a potential difference between a probe within the containment area and said conductive region, said liner being adapted and maintained for flexure in use over said containment area so as to at least approximately conform to the shape of the containment area.
A flexible thermoplastic liner for an outdoor earthern fluid containment area comprising at least two plastic layers, one of said layers being more conductive than the other of said layers, said more conductive layer being formed of plastic that is less dense than the plastic forming the less conductive layer, said more conductive layer being adapted to sufficiently conduct electricity to enable detection of pin hole leaks in the liner by establishing a potential difference between a probe within the containment area and said more conductive layer, said sheet being adapted to be maintained for flexure in use over said containment area so as to at least approximately conform to the shape of the containment area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.