Method and apparatus for fluid leak detection

A method for detecting a fluid leak associated with a system having a fluid supply conduit and a fluid return conduit disposed substantially in parallel with each other, the method comprising using a controller comprised in the system for automatically:

• causing a separation of the fluid supply conduit and the fluid return conduit to vary in an oscillating manner;
• measuring first and second separations at respective first and second opposed portions of the fluid supply and return conduits during flow of fluid in the fluid supply conduit in one direction and in the fluid return conduit in an opposite direction;
• determining whether there is a difference between a supply fluid mass flowing in the fluid supply conduit and a return fluid mass flowing in the fluid return conduit based on the measured first and second separations;
• and
• sending a signal based on the determining, the sent signal corresponding to a fluid leak.

A computer readable storage storing program instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for detecting a fluid leak associated with a system having a fluid supply conduit and a fluid return conduit disposed substantially in parallel with each other, the method comprising:

• causing a separation of the fluid supply conduit and the fluid return conduit to vary in an oscillating manner;
• measuring first and second separations at respective first and second opposed portions of the fluid supply and return conduits during flow of fluid in the fluid supply conduit in one direction and in the fluid return conduit in an opposite direction;
• determining whether there is a difference between a supply fluid mass flowing in the fluid supply conduit and a return fluid mass flowing in the fluid return conduit based on the measured first and second separations;
• and
• sending a signal based on the determining, the sent signal corresponding to a fluid leak.

An apparatus for differential fluid flow measurement, comprising:

• a first fluid conduit;
• a second fluid conduit disposed substantially in parallel with the first fluid conduit;
• an oscillator for causing a separation of the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit to vary over time;
• first and second sensors disposed relative to the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit to measure the separation at respective first and second opposed portions of the first and second conduits;
• and
• a processor coupled to the oscillator and the first and second sensors, wherein the oscillator is responsive to the processor and the processor receives respective first and second separation measurement signals from the first and second sensors, and wherein the processor is configured to determine whether there is a difference between a first fluid mass flowing in the first fluid conduit and a second fluid mass flowing in the second fluid conduit based on the first and second separation measurement signals, and output a signal based on the determination.

A method for detecting a difference in fluid mass flow associated with a system having a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit disposed substantially in parallel with each other, the method comprising using a controller comprised in the system for automatically:

• causing a separation of the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit to vary in an oscillating manner;
• measuring first and second separations at respective first and second opposed portions of the first and second fluid conduits during flow of fluid in the first fluid conduit in a first direction and in the second fluid conduit in a second direction;
• determining whether there is a difference between a first fluid mass flowing in the first fluid conduit and a second fluid mass flowing in the second fluid conduit based on the measured first and second separations;
• and
• sending a signal based on the determining.