CA2084803A1 - Leakage detection and collection cuff - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A cuff is wrapped and secured around a joint in a conduit and contains a pad which absorbs and is discolored by any fluid leaking through the joint. The cuff thereby prevents leakage up to the capacity of it's absorbency and, upon removal, indicates and thereby detects any leakage that has taken place.
A preferred embodiment has a canvas casing held in place by Velcro (TM) fasteners and holding an absorbent pad of Type 151 Powersorb Oil Sorbent, 98-0711-0197-0, made by the 3M Company.

Description

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Description LEAKAGE DETECTION AND COLLECTION CUFF
Technical Field The subject invention i5 in the fields of apparatus for detection of fluid leaks and collection of leaked fluid. More specifically, it is in the fields of such apparatus in which the collection is made by absorption of the fluid by specific material and the detection is made by observing discoloration of the absorbing material by the absorbed fluid. Still more specifically the invention is in the field of such apparatus used for detecting leaks in and collection of fluid leaked from conduits used in transferring fluid to and from large containers such as ground based tanks, tanker ships, or any type of tanker vehicle.
Backaround Art There is prolific prior art in the general field, including disposable diapers and the garments worn by incontinent people.
The U.S. Patents listed below are a sample of patents directed 0 to apparatus to be strapped around pipe joints to protect them.
2,708,123 4,216,980 3,859,451 4,489,960 4,106,428 4,607,866 Patent 4,106,428 covers a shield for a pipe joint. The shield has a transparent outer covering and includes a chemically sensitive material which provides evidence of leakage, visible through the outer covering. However, the sensitive material is integrated with the rest of the shield (ie: not replaceable) so that the entire shield must be replaced once it has been used on a leaking joint. Also, the material does not absorb any of the leakage, thereby not allowing time and opportunity for discovering the leakage before leakage outside the covering has occurred.
Therefore, the primary objective of the subject invention is to provide a leakage detection and collection apparatus specifically applicable to connections between lengths of conduit. A second objective is that the detecting and , ~

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collectiny element of the apparatus be replacea~le. Other objectives are that (1) it be made apparent on each unit what type of fluid the conduit on which the unit is placed is carrying; (2) the unit be durable enough to significantly augment the durability of covered joints, and (3) the units be quickly and easily used.

Summary of the Invention The subject invention is a leakage detection and collection cuff used to cover joints between sections of conduit joined to form a long conduit such as, for example, the tubes used to transfer liquids to and from tanks, the transfers being made over land, air, or water. One cuff is used per joint.
The cuff comprises a pliable casing and a pliable absorbent element insertable into the casing. The casing is shaped like a flat envelope with an opening in one of the sides of the envelope such that a significant portion of an absorbent element in the casing is exposed. In use, the cuff is wrapped around a joint with the exposed portion of the absorbent element in contact with or close to the joint. The cuff is equipped with appropriate detachable, adjustable fastenings to hold it in place. ~eakage from the joint is absorbed by the absorbent element. The absorbent element is such that absorbed fluid is apparent, thereby providing evidence that leakage has occurred at the covered joint. The leakage is thus detected when the cuff is removed and the joint is serviced to prevent further leakage. If the amount of leakage during the time the cuff is installed does not exceed the absorbent capacity of the element, leakage to the external environment is prevented during that time.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing is made of durable canvas and is equipped with colored straps with Velcro (TM) pads in the casing and on the straps to provide for adjustable and detachable fastening. The absorbent element is a flat pad of material spscifically designed to absorb the type of fluid being transferred, such as Type 151 Powersorb Oil Sorbent (TM) made by the 3M Company. A sheet of low density ~8~
polyethylene plastic, 4~6 mils thick, is inserted between the absorbent element and the closed side of the casing.
The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

srief Description of the Drawin~~
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject cuff wrapped over the joint between two conduit segments.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one side of an unwrapped cuff.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the other side of the cuff of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a section taken at 4-4 in FIG. 2.

Best Mode for Carryinu out the Invention The subject invention is a leakage collection and detection cuff for use on conduits comprising detachable attached sections. One cuff is installed over each joint. Referring to FIG. 1, cuff 10 is shown wrapped around joint 11, covered by the cuff, connecting conduit section 12 to conduit section 13. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one face of cuff 10 unwrapped and laid flat. The cuff comprises a casing 15 having an opening 16 in face 14. An absorbent pad 17 is inserted in the casing as described in more detail below. Straps 18 and 19 extend from open end 20 of the casing. Strips 21 and 22 of loop components of Velcro (TM) fastening are attached to straps 18 and 19 respectively. Strip 23 of loop component of Velcro (TM) fastening is attached across side 14 flush with end 20.
The other face 24 of the cuff is shown in FIG. 3 with hook components 25, 26 and 27 of Velcro (TM) fastening attached along edges 28, 29, and 30 respectively.
All the materials in the cuff are pliable and in this embodiment the casing is made of canvas cloth. Details o~ the construction used in this embodiment are shown in FIG. 4, a section taken at 4-4 in FIG. 2 through edge 30 of the cuff.
The cuff is symmetrical about the centerline parallel to edge 30. The casing comprises an outer layer 31 which is face 24 :
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and folds around edge 30 to become part of face 14. It is double hemmed at 32 to form an edge 33 of opening 16. The cuff further comprises liner pieces 34 and 35. Strap 19 is a strip of canvas folded as shown and pieces 34, 35 and strap 19 are held together by rows of stitching represented by lines 36 and 37. Velcro component 25 is attached as shown by adhesive.
Alternately, it could also be attached by the stitching. A
layer of plastic 38, preferably low density polyethylene, 4-6 mils thick, is installed over piece 34. Absorbent pad 17 is set in place under flaps 39 and 40 (FIG. 2) and strip 23 but not attached, making it readily replaceable. A preferred material for the absorbent pad is Type 151 Powersorb Oil Sorbent, No. 98-0711-0197-0, manufactured by the 3M Company.
The invention is provided in a number of sizes related to the range of diameters of conduits on which it is used. The color of the straps from unit to unit can be different to allow the user to use units of one color for one particular type of fluid and another color for another type of fluid to facilitate identification and differentiation of types of fluids being transferred.
In use the cuff is wrapped around a conduit joint with face 14 against the joint and the ends of the joined conduit sections and with Velcro (TM) element 23 engaging element 26 and straps 18 and 19 wrapped so that elements 21 and 22 engage elements 27 and 25 respectively to hold the cuff securely in place. Leakage from the joint will be collected by the pad and layer 38 prevents any fluid which passes through the pad from reaching liner 34 and outer layer 31. The capacity of the pad is limited, of course, by it's characteristics and size and any excess fluid will escape. After each use, each cuff is removed and inspected. Leakage absorbed is visually evident and serves as detection of the leakage. In an alternate embodiment, transparent plastic panels may be incorporated in layers 31 and 34 making it possible to detect leakage without removing the cuff and before leakage occurs outside the cuff.
~; It is considered to be understandable from the above description that the subject invention meets it's objectives.

' , It provides a leakage detection and collection apparatus for use on connections between lengths of conduit. The collection and detection element is replaceable, a difference from replacing the entire unit.
The use of a variety of colors of straps facilitates identification and differentiation of fluids being transferred within the conduit on which the unit is placed. The durable layer of canvas serves to provide additional durability to the covered joint and the cuff is easily installed, removed, and serviced.
It is also considered to be understood that while certain embodiments of the invention are described herein, other embodiments and variations of those described are possible within the scope of the invention which is limited only by the attached claims.

Claims (2)

1. Apparatus for detecting and collecting leakage from a joint between two sections of conduit, said apparatus comprising:
a pliable casing, an absorbent pad, said casing being adapted to hold said pad, said pad being inserted in said casing, said casing and pad being wrapped around said joint, said apparatus further comprising means for detachably retaining said casing and pad wrapped around said joint, said casing having first and second faces, said first face having an opening such that said pad is exposed, said apparatus being wrapped with said exposed pad being in direct contact with said joint.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said absorbent pad is removable from and replaceable in said casing.