Apparatus and method for detecting leaks in piping

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869668

Trapp, Donald J ^[1]

---

1. Aiken, SC

A method and device for detecting the location of leaks along a wall or piping system, preferably in double-walled piping. The apparatus comprises a sniffer probe, a rigid cord such as a length of tube attached to the probe on one end and extending out of the piping with the other end, a source of pressurized air and a source of helium. The method comprises guiding the sniffer probe into the inner pipe to its distal end, purging the inner pipe with pressurized air, filling the annulus defined between the inner and outer pipe with helium, and then detecting the presence of helium within the inner pipe with the probe as is pulled back through the inner pipe. The length of the tube at the point where a leak is detected determines the location of the leak in the pipe.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5375457
• OSTI ID: 869668
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

apparatus
method
detecting
leaks
piping
device
location
wall
preferably
double-walled
comprises
sniffer
probe
rigid
cord
length
tube
attached
extending
source
pressurized
air
helium
guiding
inner
pipe
distal
purging
filling
annulus
defined
outer
presence
pulled
leak
detected
determines
outer pipe
annulus defined
inner pipe
pressurized air
method comprises
apparatus comprises
sniffer probe
apparatus comprise
method comprise
detecting leaks
/73/