Method and apparatus for tracking the flow of liquids in a gas pipe
AssigneeBrooklyn Union
InventorAlbert W. Gershman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The presence and flow of water or other liquids in pipes, such as gas pipes, is observed by viewing through an opening in the pipe. A colorant liquid which disperses in the liquid is inserted into the pipe and an illuminating element such as an chemiluminescent device is positioned in the pipe at the site of suspected liquid.
Claims34
A method for inspecting the interior of a pipe, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a light emitting element into said pipe;
- retaining said light emitting element at a given location inside said pipe;
- and
- visually observing the interior of the pipe through an opening in its wall which is aligned with said given location;
- wherein a dispersible colorant is injected into said pipe at said given location.
A method of observing the presence of liquid at a given location in a pipe, said method comprising the steps of:
- injecting into said pipe at said given location, a colorant which is dispersible in said liquid;
- and
- visually observing said colorant through an opening in the wall of said pipe at said given location.
A method for ascertaining the presence of liquid in a pipe, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a light emitting element into said pipe through its wall;
- injecting a dispersible colorant into said pipe at the location of said light emitting element so that said light emitting element illuminates said colorant;
- and
- visually observing said colorant as it is dispersed by any liquid in the pipe.
Apparatus for observing the presence of liquid in a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
- a colorant injection system for injecting a dispersible colorant into said pipe at a given location therein;
- and
- visual observation means extending through an opening in the wall of said pipe at said given locations;
- said visual observation means comprising a viewing tube with a connecting end which can be fitted into an opening in a pipe wall.
Apparatus for inspecting the interior of a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
- an illuminating element;
- means for retaining said illuminating element at a given location inside said pipe;
- and
- visual observation means extending through an opening in the wall of said pipe at said given location;
- wherein said illuminating element is a chemiluminescence device.
Apparatus for detecting the presence of liquid in a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
- a viewing tube having a viewing end and a pipe connecting end which is insertable through the wall of a pipe to be inspected;
- an illuminating element suspended from the pipe connecting end of said viewing tube;
- and
- a colorant injection system for injecting a dispersible colorant into said pipe at the location of said illuminating elements;
- said colorant injection system including a container which contains a colorant fluid, a tube extending from said container for insertion into an opening in a pipe and a pump for pumping colorant fluid from said container into said pipe.
Apparatus for inspecting the interior of a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
- an illuminating element;
- means for retaining said illuminating element at a given location inside a pipe;
- and
- visual observation means configured to extend through an opening in the wail of a pipe at said given location;
- said means for retaining said illuminating element comprising a line attached at one end to said observation means.
Apparatus for detecting the presence of liquid in a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
- a viewing tube having a viewing end and a pipe connecting end which is insertable through the wall of a pipe to be inspected;
- an illuminating element suspended from the pipe connecting end of said viewing tube;
- and
- a colorant injection system for injecting a dispersible colorant into a pipe at the location of said illuminating element;
- said viewing tube having a transparent seal extending across its interior near its connecting end to permit observation of the interior of a pipe without allowing gas to leak out from said pipe.
Apparatus for detecting the presence of liquid in a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
- a viewing tube having a viewing end and a pipe connecting end which is insertable through the wall of a pipe to be inspected;
- an illuminating element suspended from the pipe connecting end of said viewing tube;
- and
- a colorant injection system for injecting a dispersible colorant into a pipe at the location of said illuminating element;
- wherein said illuminating element is a chemiluminescence device.
Apparatus for detecting the presence of liquid in a pipe, said apparatus comprising:
- a viewing tube having a viewing end and a pipe connecting end which is insertable through the wall of a pipe to be inspected;
- an illuminating element suspended from the pipe connecting end of said viewing tube;
- and
- a colorant injection system for injecting a dispersible colorant into a pipe at the location of said illuminating element;
- wherein said illuminating element is suspended by means of a line attached at one end to said illuminating element and at the other end to said viewing tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.