초록 ▼

An apparatus and a method for quantifying the leak flow rate of a fluid from a fluid leak site in a piping system. An ultrasonic sound detector is used to accumulate sound level data for known leak sites in known piping system elements through which a known fluid flows at known temperatures and pres

An apparatus and a method for quantifying the leak flow rate of a fluid from a fluid leak site in a piping system. An ultrasonic sound detector is used to accumulate sound level data for known leak sites in known piping system elements through which a known fluid flows at known temperatures and pressures. The accumulated data provide a database to permit the determination of fluid leakage rates in actual piping systems by comparing test data obtained for the actual piping system with the data contained in the database. In one embodiment of the invention, the database includes data corresponding to standard curves representing the relationship between accumulated sound level data and accumulated leak flow rate data. Based upon the cost of the fluid, the annual costs for fluid lost as a result of leakage can be determined, as well as the annual volume of fluid lost.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:] [1.] A method for providing a database for use in determining the flow rate of a fluid at a leak site in a pressurized fluid system, said method comprising the steps of:a) deriving attenuation level values corresponding to sound pres

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:] [1.] A method for providing a database for use in determining the flow rate of a fluid at a leak site in a pressurized fluid system, said method comprising the steps of:a) deriving attenuation level values corresponding to sound pressure level values for fluid leaks from known piping elements of known fluids at known pressures, temperatures, and leakage flow rates;b) plotting the leakage flow rates versus the attenuation level values as points on a graph;c) estimating a standard curve based on the plotted points; andd) storing data corresponding to the standard curve for the corresponding system elements and fluid conditions to provide a database for use in determining leakage flow rates in actual piping systems from measured sound pressure levels.