초록 ▼

A monitoring device for use with a coaxial pipe or double wall pipe device which provides access to the interstitial region between an inner pipe and an outer pipe which coaxially defines the interstitial region, each pipe having two terminal ends. The inner pipe has at least one terminal end extend

A monitoring device for use with a coaxial pipe or double wall pipe device which provides access to the interstitial region between an inner pipe and an outer pipe which coaxially defines the interstitial region, each pipe having two terminal ends. The inner pipe has at least one terminal end extending from the outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of the inner pipe exposed to thereby expose the interstitial region. A boot is provided for defining a chamber with a larger end snugly fitting the outer pipe, and a small end snugly fitting onto the exposed outer wall of the inner pipe. The boot has an access port communicating with the interior of the chamber to provide access to the interstitial region, where a liquid transfer tube for transferring liquid to such access port on boot is used for supplying a quantity of liquid into the interstitial region, and also having a sensor tube joined to such liquid transfer tube so as to permit discerning of any changes in the liquid level within sensor tube beyond a pre-determined limit(s) with respect to a fixed level.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [5.] A method of monitoring the integrity of a double wall pipe system comprising a plurality of double wall pipe segments, each pipe segment having an inner pipe with an outer wall, and outer pipe with an inner wall, and an interstitial space free from solid filler material d

[ What is claimed is:] [5.] A method of monitoring the integrity of a double wall pipe system comprising a plurality of double wall pipe segments, each pipe segment having an inner pipe with an outer wall, and outer pipe with an inner wall, and an interstitial space free from solid filler material disposed between said walls, to provide an alarm in the event of a leak in either pipe wall, comprising the steps of:connecting the inner pipes of each said double wall pipe segment to form a closed system for conveying a fluid using a pump to thereby create a positive pumping pressure in said inner pipes;sealing the interstitial space between said walls by connecting each end of each double wall pipe to a boot sealed at one end to the outer pipe and at the other end to the inner pipe and having an annular chamber between said ends communicating with said interstitial space;connecting each adjacent boot between said double wall pipe segments to provide a closed system of said interstitial space;transferring liquid by sensor tube means to provide a quantity of liquid in said interstitial region, said sensor tube means including a level positioning means for locating the level of liquid in said tube with respect to a fixed point; anddetecting changes in the level of liquid in said sensor tube means beyond the predetermined limits.