Leak observation through capillary action that exposes moisture
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorTommy C. Bannister
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid leak detection apparatus identifies the location of a fluid leak in a fluid containing vessel. The apparatus includes a wick having a sensing portion and a transmission portion. The sensing portion contacts a selected area of the fluid containing vessel. The transmission portion extends from the sensing portion to transmit by capillary action leaked fluid from the fluid containing vessel. An indicator, connected to the wick transmission portion and the indicator, is activated by the wetted wick to indicate a fluid leak at the sensing portion of the wick.
Claims6
A system for detecting and locating a fluid leak in a fluid containing vessel enclosed within an insulating material, the system comprising:
- a wick, associated with a selected area of the fluid containing vessel, having a sensing portion and a transmission portion, the sensing portion contacting an exterior surface of the selected area of the fluid containing vessel, the transmission portion extending from the sensing portion through the insulation to transmit by capillary action leaked fluid from the selected area of the fluid containing vessel;
- leak proof barriers, incorporated into the insulating material, for isolating the selected area of the fluid containing vessel so a fluid leak in the selected area is contained between leak proof barriers;
- and
- indicator means connected to the transmission portion of the wick, the indicator means activated by the leaked fluid transmitted through the wick to indicate a fluid leak in the selected area of the fluid containing vessel at the sensing portion of the wick.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.