Underwater method and apparatus for detecting leaks in a metallic tank or pit liner plate
AssigneeAreva Np
InventorsGregory Jacob Denne, James Edwin McCann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A leak detecting apparatus for detecting flaws in a surface submerged in liquid is provided that includes a vacuum head for contacting the surface and forming a vacuum chamber filled with liquid between the surface and the vacuum head, the vacuum head including a multi-surface elastomer seal for contacting the surface; and a vacuum generator for pulling gas through a flaw in the surface into the vacuum head and to the gas separation chamber so as to displace the liquid from the gas separation chamber. A method for detecting flaws in a surface submerged in liquid is also provided.
Claims12
A method for detecting flaws in a surface submerged in liquid:
- submerging a vacuum head in the liquid and surrounding a portion of the surface with the vacuum head;
- providing a suction flow to form a vacuum chamber filled with liquid within the vacuum head;
- determining that the portion of the surface has a flaw if air is sucked through the surface into the liquid in the vacuum chamber;
- and
- moving the vacuum head to a different location of the surface with a propulsion device,
- wherein the propulsion device is removably connectable to the surface and the moving step includes:
- moving the propulsion device with respect to the vacuum head;
- and
- moving the vacuum head with respect to the propulsion device.
A method for detecting flaws in a surface submerged in liquid:
- submerging a vacuum head in the liquid and surrounding a portion of the surface with the vacuum head;
- providing a suction flow to form a vacuum chamber filled with liquid within the vacuum head;
- determining that the portion of the surface has a flaw if air is sucked through the surface into the liquid in the vacuum chamber;
- and
- moving the vacuum head to a different location of the surface with a propulsion device, wherein the propulsion device includes two suction heads and the moving step includes:
- moving the two suction heads with respect to the vacuum head;
- creating a vacuum between each of the two suction heads and the surface;
- and
- moving the vacuum head with respect to the two suction heads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.