Method and apparatus for detecting and distinguishing leaks using reflectometry and conductivity tests

Apparatus for detecting and locating the presence of a fluid and determining whether or not the fluid is conductive, comprising:

• a fluid detecting cable having first and second insulated conductors and first and second uninsulated conductors, each of said conductors being disposed in a spaced apart relationship by a fluid permeable medium;
• means utilizing reflectometry techniques for applying pulses to the insulated conductors for detecting and locating the presence of fluids in response to reflected pulses;
• means electrically coupled to said uninsulated conductors for measuring the resistance between said uninsulated conductors and comparing the measured resistance to a reference value;
• and
• means responsive to said pulse applying means and to said resistance measuring means for providing an indication that the fluid is non-conductive if the presence of a fluid has been detected by the pulse applying means and the resistance between said uninsulated conductors has not changed substantially from the reference value and for providing an indication that the fluid is conductive if the resistance between said uninsulated conductors has changed substantially from the reference value.

A method for detecting and locating the presence of a fluid and determining whether or not the fluid is conductive, comprising:

• providing a fluid detecting cable having an insulated conductor and uninsulated conductors, each of said conductors being disposed in a spaced apart relationship by a fluid permeable medium;
• utilizing reflectometry techniques for applying pulses to said insulated conductor and detecting and locating the presence of fluid in response to reflected pulses;
• measuring the resistance between two uninsulated conductors and comparing the measured resistance to a reference value;
• and
• if a fluid has been detected utilizing the reflectometry techniques, providing an indication that the fluid is non-conductive if the resistance between said uninsulated conductors has not changed substantially from the reference value and providing an indication that the fluid is conductive if the resistance between said uninsulated conductors has changed substantially from the reference value.

A method for detecting and locating a leak and determining whether or not the leak is conductive, comprising:

• providing a leak detecting cable having first and second insulated conductors and first and second uninsulated conductors, each of said conductors being disposed in a spaced apart relationship by a liquid permeable medium;
• utilizing reflectometry techniques for applying pulses between the insulated conductors and detecting and locating leaks in response to reflected pulses;
• measuring the resistance between said uninsulated conductors and comparing the measured resistance to a reference value;
• and
• if a leak has been detected utilizing the reflectometry techniques, providing an indication that the leak is non-conductive if the resistance between said uninsulated conductors has not changed substantially from the reference value and providing an indication that the leak is conductive if the resistance between said uninsulated conductors has changed substantially from the reference value.