Leak detection device and method for manufacturing a leak detection device
Through the additively manufactured leak detection device, the reduction design and gravity guidance of the internal conduit are used to solve the complex and costly problems of fluid leakage detection in the prior art, and achieve safe and efficient fluid detection and processing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202111123430.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-09-10
- Filing Date
- 2021-09-24
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-09-24
AI Technical Summary
The existing fluid leakage detection devices are complex and costly, making it difficult to effectively detect and deal with leaky fluids in high-pressure fuel pipelines, and are prone to damage to the device due to the accumulation of leaky fluids.
A leak detection device is designed to manufacture the main body through additive manufacturing, including a fluid input port, an exhaust port and a sensor catheter input port. The internal catheter has a lower branch and an upper branch. The reduced flow part of the lower branch is located in the fluid input port and the sensor catheter. Below the input port, but above the discharge port, gravity is used to guide the accumulation of fluid and sensors to detect the characteristics of leaked fluid, avoiding direct discharge of leaked fluid and preventing excessive pressure in the device.
A relatively cheap and easy to customize leakage detection device is realized, which can effectively collect and detect leaked fluids, avoid damage caused by the accumulation of fluids in the device, and improve detection accuracy and safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN114252201B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The subject matter described in this application relates to devices for directing and / or detecting fluid leakage and methods of making leak detection devices. Background Art
[0002] Fluids in some power systems may be directed throughout the system for a variety of purposes. For example, a vehicle's fuel lines may direct fuel to the engine, coolant may be directed through hoses to cool vehicle components, and so on. Some of these fluids may flow at higher pressures within the power system. Leaks may occur in the power system's lines, pipes, hoses, etc. (e.g., conduits) and interfaces between different conduits. However, due to the complexity of the components and the large number of components, leaks may be difficult to detect.
[0003] Some vehicles use common rail fuel systems to capture unwanted fuel leaks and return the leaked fuel to an appropriate location (e.g., the vehicle's fuel tank). In high-pressure fuel piping, these systems may be referred to as "double wall." Double wall piping has a secondary pipe arranged around the main high-pressure pipe to capture leaks in the main pipe or fittings. Other high-pressure common rail components, such as pumps, injectors, accumulators, connection fittings, etc., are also designed to capture leaks. It is beneficial to collect these leaks in the common rail system to detect undesirable leaks and take appropriate action.
[0004] One solution to this type of leak is to direct the leaking fluid into a leak collection tank. The leak collection tank may be enclosed except for an inlet where the leaking fluid is directed into the tank. A sensor is provided in the tank, and the amount of leaking fluid accumulated in the tank can detect the leaking fluid once it reaches the sensor. However, these types of tanks may not have an outlet, so they can only collect a fixed amount of leaking fluid. In the case of a faster leak, more fluid will be introduced into the tank, and the tank may quickly fill up with leaking fluid. For some of these tanks, a drain hole is added to direct the accumulated fluid back to the fuel tank. However, these types of tanks generally do not have common parts and can be expensive to manufacture. Other solutions include a complex network of conduits and fittings to collect the leaking fluid and direct the leaking fluid to sensors, tanks, etc. However, these solutions are often too complicated and increase the number of failure points where additional leaks may occur. Summary of the invention
[0005] In one embodiment, a leak detection device includes a body having at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fluid leaking from a first source container; at least one discharge port adapted to be fluidically coupled to one or more of the first source container or a different second source container as a source of fluid leakage; and at least one sensor conduit input port adapted to be fluidically coupled to at least one sensor. The at least one fluid input port is disposed above the at least one discharge port in the body but below the at least one sensor conduit input port in the body. The body includes an internal conduit that is fluidically coupled to and extends between the at least one fluid input port, the at least one discharge port, and the at least one sensor conduit input port. The internal conduit includes a lower branch extending in the body from below the at least one fluid input port to the at least one discharge port. The internal conduit includes an upper branch extending in the body from above the at least one sensor conduit input port to the at least one discharge port alone. The lower branch of the internal conduit includes a flow reducing portion having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the upper branch of the internal conduit. The flow reducing portion of the internal conduit is located below the at least one fluid input port and the at least one sensor conduit input port but above the at least one discharge port.
[0006] In one embodiment, a method includes additively manufacturing a body having: at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fluid leaking from a first source container; at least one drain port adapted to be fluidically coupled to one or more of the first source container or a second, different source container; and at least one sensor conduit input port adapted to be fluidically coupled to at least one sensor. The at least one fluid input port is additively manufactured in the body above the at least one drain port, but below the at least one sensor conduit input port in the body. The body is additively manufactured to include an internal conduit that is fluidically coupled to and extends between the at least one fluid input port, the at least one drain port, and the at least one sensor conduit input port. The internal conduit is additively manufactured to include a lower branch that extends in the body from below the at least one fluid input port to the at least one drain port. The internal conduit is additively manufactured to include an upper branch that extends in the body from above the at least one sensor conduit input port to the at least one drain port. The lower branch of the internal conduit is additively manufactured to include a flow reducer having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the upper branch of the internal conduit. The inner conduit is additively manufactured such that the flow reducing portion is located below the at least one fluid input port and the at least one sensor conduit input port, but above the at least one exhaust port.
[0007] In one embodiment, a vehicle fuel leak detection device includes a body having at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fuel leaking from a vehicle; at least one drain port adapted to be fluidically coupled to a fuel tank of the fuel; and a first sensor conduit input port adapted to be fluidically coupled to a fluid sensor. The at least one fluid input port is disposed above the at least one drain port in the body but below the at least one sensor conduit input port in the body. The body includes an internal conduit passageway fluidically coupled to and extending between the at least one fluid input port, the at least one drain port, and the at least one sensor conduit input port. The internal conduit includes a lower branch extending in the body from below the at least one fluid input port to the at least one drain port. The internal conduit includes an upper branch extending in the body from above the at least one sensor conduit input port to the at least one drain port alone. The lower branch of the internal conduit includes a flow reducing portion having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the upper branch of the internal conduit. The flow reducing portion of the internal conduit is located below the at least one fluid input port and the at least one sensor conduit input port but above the at least one drain port. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The inventive subject matter may be understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates one embodiment of a leak detection and / or guiding device;
[0010] Figure 2 Another embodiment of a leak detection and / or guiding device is schematically shown;
[0011] Figure 3 Another embodiment of a leak detection and / or guiding device is schematically shown;
[0012] Figure 4 A front view showing one example of a leak detection and / or guiding device;
[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 a perspective view of the device shown;
[0014] Figure 6 Show Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of the device shown;
[0015] Figure 7 a front view showing another example of a leak detection and / or guiding device; and
[0016] Figure 8 Show Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the device shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Embodiments of the inventive subject matter described herein relate to leak detection and / or directing devices that collect fluid leaks, direct the leaked fluid to a container, and optionally include sensors to sense one or more characteristics of the leak. These devices can be additively manufactured to provide a relatively small block or body that can receive one or more fluid leak inputs, provide outputs to sensors, and include one or more drains to a source tank (the source of the fluid leak) or other tanks (e.g., an engine oil sump, a waste collection tank, etc.), all within a unitary, homogenous, and / or seamless body. Additively manufactured devices are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and the size, accessories, etc. of the device can be easily customized during additive manufacturing of the device.
[0018] Figure 1 One embodiment of a leak detection and / or guiding device (100) is schematically shown. The device can be additively manufactured by continuous printing or stacking individual layers of material on top of each other to form a unitary, homogenous (optionally) and / or seamless body. The device can be mounted to a power system (e.g., a vehicle) at a location where a leaking fluid (e.g., fuel) can be directed for detection or can be directed by the device back to a source of the fluid (e.g., a fuel tank) or other container.
[0019] The device includes an additively manufactured body 102 having at least one fluid input port 104. Alternatively, the body may not be additively manufactured. The fluid input port may be an orifice coupled to one or more conduits 106, which directly or indirectly fluidly couple a first source container 108 to the body. The first source container may be a fuel tank or other container. The conduit may be a hose, a pipe, a pipeline, etc. In one embodiment, the conduit coupled to the fluid input port of the body may be an outer conduit arranged around an inner conduit, wherein the inner conduit guides the flow of a fluid (e.g., fuel), and the outer conduit collects a portion of the fluid leaking from the inner conduit and guides the flow of the portion of the fluid.
[0020] The body also includes at least one drain 110 that is fluidly coupled via one or more conduits to a first container and / or a second, different container 112. For example, the drain may be fluidly coupled to a fuel tank to return leaking fluid that flows through the body to the fuel tank, or may be fluidly coupled to an engine oil sump, waste container, or the like that collects the leaking fluid without returning the leaked fluid to a source container.
[0021] The body can include at least one sensor conduit input port 114 fluidly coupled to at least one sensor 116. Alternatively, the body can include no sensor conduit input port. The sensor conduit input port can be fluidically coupled to the sensor via one or more conduits so that at least a portion of the fluid in the body reaches the sensor. The sensor can measure or sense one or more characteristics of the fluid in the body. For example, the sensor can be a level sensor, a float switch, a pressure sensor, etc., which can detect the presence of a fluid, the pressure of a fluid, etc.
[0022] The body includes at least one internal conduit 118, which is fluidically coupled to the fluid input port, the exhaust port, and the sensor conduit input port and extends between them. The internal conduit can be formed as an open internal channel in the body to guide the leakage fluid to flow in the body. The internal conduit includes a lower branch 120 and an upper branch 122.
[0023] The lower branch of the internal conduit extends from the fluid input port to the discharge port below the fluid input port in the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower branch of the internal conduit extends from the fluid input port to the discharge port without intersecting or passing through the sensor input port. The upper branch of the internal conduit extends separately from the fluid input port above the fluid input port in the body, passes through (or intersects) the sensor conduit input port, and extends downward to the discharge port above the sensor conduit input port. The upper branch may not extend from the fluid input port to the discharge port without being below the fluid input port. The upper branch is located above at least a portion of the lower branch relative to the direction in which gravity pulls on the fluid in the internal conduit. Although one or more portions of the upper branch may extend to the same low position within the body as the lower branch, the lower branch does not extend above the entire upper branch, such as Figure 1 shown.
[0024] The lower branch of the inner conduit may include a flow reducing portion 124. The flow reducing portion of the lower branch includes a portion of the inner conduit in the lower branch that has a smaller cross-sectional area than other portions of the lower branch and / or the upper branch of the inner conduit, such as Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the flow reducing portion is located below the fluid input port and the sensor conduit input port, but above the at least one exhaust port.
[0025] As shown, the fluid input port can be arranged above the discharge port in the body, but below the sensor conduit input port in the body. In operation, the fluid input port receives the leaked fluid. Due to the pull of gravity, the leaked fluid may initially flow downward from the fluid input port to the flow reduction portion of the lower branch in the lower branch of the internal conduit. The fluid may not be pumped or otherwise forced through the internal conduit, but gravity may cause the fluid to flow downward from the fluid input port. The flow reduction portion of the lower branch may at least partially prevent the flow of the leaked fluid in the internal conduit, so that the leaked fluid in the internal conduit accumulates, accumulates, etc., and reaches the sensor conduit. For example, the flow reduction portion may have a small cross-sectional size (e.g., half of the size of the internal conduit outside the flow reduction portion, 10% of the size of the internal conduit outside the flow reduction portion, etc.), so that part of the fluid in the lower branch can flow to the discharge port through the flow reduction portion, and the remaining fluid of the fluid pool accumulates above the flow reduction portion. The leaked fluid may accumulate above the flow reduction portion and enter the upper branch of the internal conduit, so that the leaked fluid reaches the sensor via the sensor conduit input port and the conduit connecting the sensor and the body. This enables the sensor to sense or measure the presence of the fluid and / or one or more properties of the fluid.
[0026] If fluid continues to accumulate, the channel or continuous loop formed by the internal conduit within the body can direct the accumulated fluid above the sensor input port and down to the side of the body opposite the sensor input port and the fluid input port (e.g., Figure 1 The inner conduit may be configured to have a drain port (e.g., to the right of the body in the perspective view). Otherwise, the fluid may drain to the drain port through the reduced flow portion of the lower branch of the inner conduit. In either case, the inner conduit accumulates sufficient fluid to allow the sensor to sense or measure a property of the fluid, while providing an output port (e.g., a drain port) to prevent the fluid from accumulating sufficient internal pressure within the body to cause injury or damage to the body. The inner conduit may be shaped and positioned so that the fluid can flow to the drain port by gravity without pumping or otherwise forcing the fluid through the inner conduit.
[0027] Figure 2 Another embodiment of a leak detection and / or guiding device (200) is schematically shown. Similar to the device 100, the device 200 can be additively manufactured by continuous printing or stacking individual layers of material on top of each other to form a unitary, homogeneous (optionally) and / or seamless body. The device can be installed in a power system (e.g., a vehicle) at a location where a leaking fluid (e.g., fuel) can be directed for detection or can be directed by the device back to the source or other container of the fluid.
[0028] The device includes an additively manufactured body 202 having the aforementioned fluid input port, sensor conduit input port, internal conduit, flow reducing portion in the internal conduit, and exhaust port. Figure 1 and Figure 2 One difference between the devices shown is that Figure 2 The illustrated apparatus includes a second sensor conduit input port 214 that may be fluidically coupled to the conduit 106, and a second sensor 216 disposed in and / or otherwise fluidically coupled to the conduit 106. The second sensor may measure or sense the same or a different characteristic as the sensor 116 (e.g., the first sensor). For example, the first sensor 116 may detect the presence of fluid in the internal conduit 118 above the fluid input port 104, while the second sensor 216 may measure the pressure of the fluid in the internal conduit (e.g., the fluid pressure). Alternatively, the second sensor may measure or sense the temperature of the fluid, the identity of the fluid, the conductivity of the fluid, etc.
[0029] Alternatively, sensors 116, 216 may measure or sense the same characteristic. For example, sensors 116, 216 may both detect the presence of fluid in the internal conduit. Due to the location of sensors 116, 216, sensor 116 may detect the presence of fluid before sensor 216. The output of sensor 116 (e.g., to a controller, a display device, one or more processors, etc.) may indicate an initial detection of a leaked fluid in the power system received by device 200, while the output of sensor 216 may indicate that the amount of fluid leakage has increased to or above a threshold amount.
[0030] Figure 2 The illustrated device may optionally include an additional flow reducing portion 224 in the inner conduit below the second sensor conduit input port. The additional flow reducing portion (or second flow reducing portion) of the lower branch of the inner conduit includes another portion of the inner conduit in the lower branch that has a smaller cross-sectional area than other portions of the lower branch (except the first flow reducing portion 124) and / or the upper branch of the inner conduit, such as Figure 2 Similar to or consistent with flow reducer 124, flow reducer 224 may be a bottleneck or other restriction to fluid flow in the internal conduit. In the illustrated embodiment, the second flow reducer is located below the second sensor conduit input port but above the at least one exhaust port.
[0031] The second flow reducing portion of the lower branch can at least partially block the flow of the leaking fluid in the internal conduit, so that the leaking fluid in the internal conduit accumulates, accumulates, etc., and reaches the second sensor conduit. For example, the second flow reducing portion can have a small cross-sectional size (e.g., half of the size of the internal conduit outside the first and / or second flow reducing portion, 10% of the size of the internal conduit outside the first and / or second flow reducing portion, etc.), so that part of the fluid in the lower branch can flow to the discharge port through the second flow reducing portion, while the remaining fluid in the fluid pool accumulates above the second flow reducing portion. The leaking fluid can accumulate above the second flow reducing portion and enter the upper branch of the internal conduit, so that the leaking fluid reaches the sensor via the second sensor conduit input port and the conduit connecting the second sensor and the main body. This enables the second sensor to sense or measure the characteristics of the fluid (e.g., fluid pressure) while allowing the fluid to continue to be discharged from the device 200 through the discharge port.
[0032] Although Figure 2 Two sensor conduit input ports, two sensors, and two flow reducing portions are shown in FIG. 2 , but alternatively, device 200 may include more than two sensor conduit input ports, more than two sensors, and / or more than two flow reducing portions.
[0033] Figure 3 Another embodiment of a leak detection and / or guiding device (300) is schematically shown. Similar to devices 100, 200, device 300 can be additively manufactured by continuous printing or stacking individual layers of material on top of each other to form a unitary, homogenous (optionally) and / or seamless body. The device can be mounted to a power system (e.g., a vehicle) at a location where a leaking fluid (e.g., fuel) can be directed for detection or can be directed by the device back to a source or other container of the fluid.
[0034] The device includes an additively manufactured body 302 having the fluid input port, sensor conduit input port, and exhaust port as described above. Figure 1 and Figure 3 One difference between the devices shown is that Figure 3 The illustrated device includes more than one drain 110. The multiple drains may be fluidly coupled to the same container 108 or 112, may be fluidly coupled to multiple containers 108 and 112, may be two or all fluidly coupled to multiple containers 108 and 112 (e.g., multiple drains are coupled to the same set of containers such that fluid emptied from the body through any drain is directed to multiple containers), or may be individually fluidly coupled to different containers (e.g., each drain is coupled to a different container such that fluid exiting the body through a first drain is directed to the first container, fluid exiting the body through a second drain is directed to a different second container, but not the first container, and so on).
[0035] Figure 4 A front view of one example of a leak detection and / or guiding device (400) is shown. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of the device shown. Figure 6 Show Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the device shown. Similar to devices 100, 200, 300, device 400 can be additively manufactured by continuous printing or stacking individual layers of material on top of each other to form a unitary, homogenous (optionally) and / or seamless body. The device can be mounted to a power system (e.g., a vehicle) at a location where a leaking fluid (e.g., fuel) can be directed for detection or can be directed by the device back to a source or other container of the fluid.
[0036] The device includes an additively manufactured body 402 having a plurality of fluid input ports 404, 504 (e.g., ports 404A to 404C). The fluid input ports may represent the fluid input ports 104 described above. Each fluid input port may be connected to another conduit 106 (e.g., Figure 1 ) are fluidly coupled, and these conduits guide fluid leaking from different locations in the power system (such as a vehicle) to the same internal conduits or channels 518 (such as Figure 5 ). Inner conduit 518 may represent inner conduit 118 described above.
[0037] The body includes at least one discharge port 510 (eg, Figure 5 As described above, the discharge port may be coupled to the first container and / or a different second container fluidly via one or more conduits. The body may include at least one sensor conduit input port 514 (e.g., Figure 5 As described above, the sensor conduit input port may be fluidly coupled to at least one sensor 116.
[0038] The body includes an internal conduit that is fluidically coupled to the fluid input port, the exhaust port, and the sensor conduit input port and extends between them. The internal conduit can be formed as an open internal channel within the body to guide the leakage fluid to flow within the body. The internal conduit includes a lower branch 520 and an upper branch 522 (such as Figure 5). The lower branch of the internal conduit extends from the fluid input port to the exhaust port below the fluid input port in the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower branch of the internal conduit extends from the fluid input port to the exhaust port without intersecting or passing through the sensor input port. The upper branch of the internal conduit extends separately from the fluid input port above the fluid input port in the body, passes through (or intersects) the sensor conduit input port, and extends downward to the exhaust port above the sensor conduit input port. The upper branch may not extend from the fluid input port to the exhaust port below the fluid input port. The upper branch may be located above at least a portion of the lower branch relative to the direction in which gravity pulls the fluid in the internal conduit.
[0039] The lower branch of the inner conduit may include a flow reducing portion 624 (e.g. Figure 6 ), which represents the flow reducing portion 124. As described above, the flow reducing portion of the lower branch includes a portion of the internal conduit in the lower branch that has a smaller cross-sectional area than other portions of the lower branch and / or the upper branch of the internal conduit.
[0040] As shown, at least some of the fluid input ports can be disposed above the exhaust port in the body, but below the sensor conduit input port in the body. In operation, the fluid input ports receive leaked fluid. Due to the pull of gravity, the leaked fluid may initially flow downward from some of the fluid input ports (e.g., input ports 404, 405) in the lower branch of the inner conduit to the flow-reducing portion of the lower branch. As described above, the flow-reducing portion of the lower branch may at least partially block the flow of the leaked fluid in the inner conduit, causing the leaked fluid in the inner conduit to accumulate, accumulate, etc., and reach the sensor conduit.
[0041] The body includes several mounting holes 426. These holes may be formed during additive manufacturing of the body in locations that allow fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, pins, etc.) to be placed through the mounting holes to secure the body to a surface (e.g., in a power system).
[0042] Figure 7 A front view of another example of a leak detection and / or guiding device (700) is shown. Figure 8 Show Figure 7 . Similar to devices 100, 200, 300, 400, device 700 can be additively manufactured by continuously printing or stacking individual layers of material on top of each other to form a unitary, homogenous (optionally) and / or seamless body. The device can be mounted to a power system (e.g., a vehicle) at a location where a leaking fluid (e.g., fuel) can be directed for detection or can be directed by the device back to a source or other container of the fluid.
[0043] The device includes an additively manufactured body 702 having a plurality of fluid input ports 704 (e.g., ports 704A to 704C). The fluid input ports may represent the fluid input ports 104 described above. Although three fluid input ports are shown, the body may include one or two fluid input ports, or more than three fluid input ports. Each fluid input port may be connected to another conduit 106 (e.g., Figure 1 ) are fluidly coupled, and these conduits guide fluid leaking from different locations in the power system (such as a vehicle) to the same internal conduits or channels 818 (such as Figure 8 For example, the input ports 704 may be coupled to each other within the body 702 prior to reaching the internal conduit 818 or at an interface with the internal conduit 818. The internal conduit 818 may represent the internal conduit 118 described above.
[0044] The body includes at least one discharge port 810 (eg, Figure 8 As described above, the discharge port may be fluidically coupled to the first container and / or a different second container via one or more conduits. The body may include at least one sensor conduit input port 814 (e.g., Figure 8 As described above, the sensor conduit input port may be fluidly coupled to at least one sensor 116.
[0045] The body includes an internal conduit that is fluidically coupled to the fluid input port, the exhaust port, and the sensor conduit input port and extends between them. The internal conduit can be formed as an open internal channel within the body to guide the leakage fluid to flow within the body. The internal conduit includes a lower branch 820 and an upper branch 822 (such as Figure 8 ). The lower branch of the internal conduit extends from the fluid input port to the exhaust port below the fluid input port in the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower branch of the internal conduit extends from the fluid input port to the exhaust port without intersecting or passing through the sensor input port. The upper branch of the internal conduit extends separately from the fluid input port above the fluid input port in the body, passes through (or intersects) the sensor conduit input port, and extends downward to the exhaust port above the sensor conduit input port. The upper branch may not extend from the fluid input port to the exhaust port below the fluid input port. The upper branch may be located above at least a portion of the lower branch relative to the direction in which gravity pulls the fluid in the internal conduit.
[0046] The lower branch of the inner conduit may include a flow reducing portion 824 (e.g. Figure 8 ), which represents the flow reducing portion 124. As described above, the flow reducing portion of the lower branch includes a portion of the internal conduit in the lower branch that has a smaller cross-sectional area than other portions of the lower branch and / or the upper branch of the internal conduit.
[0047] As shown, at least some of the fluid input ports can be disposed above the exhaust port in the body, but below the sensor conduit input port in the body. In operation, the fluid input ports receive leaked fluid. Due to the pull of gravity, the leaked fluid can initially flow downward from one or more fluid input ports in the lower branch of the inner conduit toward the flow reducing portion of the lower branch. As described above, the flow reducing portion of the lower branch can at least partially block the flow of the leaked fluid in the inner conduit, causing the leaked fluid in the inner conduit to accumulate, accumulate, etc., and reach the sensor conduit.
[0048] The body includes several mounting holes 726. These holes may be formed during additive manufacturing of the body in locations that allow fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, pins, etc.) to be placed through the mounting holes to secure the body to a surface (e.g., in a power system).
[0049] The subject matter described herein also includes a method of providing one or more leak detection and / or guidance devices as described herein. While the method includes operations for additive manufacturing of the device, at least one embodiment of the device includes manufacturing the device in another manner, such as casting or coupling together discrete or separate components.
[0050] The method includes additively manufacturing a body having at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fluid leaking from a first source container; at least one exhaust port adapted to couple with one or more fluids in the first source container or a second, different source container; at least one sensor conduit input port adapted to couple with at least one sensor fluid; and an internal conduit fluidically coupling the input port and the exhaust port (and which may include a flow restriction). Additive manufacturing may include sequentially depositing layers of material used to form the body on top of or above each other. For example, a first layer of material may be deposited on a build surface, and then a second layer (which may have a different shape than the first layer) may be at least partially deposited (e.g., printed) on the first layer, and so on, sequentially depositing multiple layers until the body is fully formed.
[0051] In one embodiment, a leak detection device includes a body having at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fluid leaking from a first source container; at least one discharge port adapted to be coupled to one or more fluids in the first source container or a different second source container as a source of fluid leakage; and at least one sensor conduit input port adapted to be coupled to at least one sensor fluid. The at least one fluid input port is disposed above the at least one discharge port in the body but below the at least one sensor conduit input port in the body. The body includes an internal conduit, the internal conduit being fluidically coupled to and extending between the at least one fluid input port, the at least one discharge port, and the at least one sensor conduit input port. The internal conduit includes a lower branch extending in the body from below the at least one fluid input port to the at least one discharge port. The internal conduit includes an upper branch extending in the body from above the at least one sensor conduit input port to the at least one discharge port alone. The lower branch of the internal conduit includes a flow reducing portion having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the upper branch of the internal conduit. The flow reducing portion of the internal conduit is located below the at least one fluid input port and the at least one sensor conduit input port but above the at least one discharge port.
[0052] Optionally, at least one fluid input port of the main body is adapted to receive leakage fluid, and the lower branch of the internal conduit is adapted to partially block the flow of the leakage fluid in the internal conduit so that the leakage fluid in the internal conduit reaches the at least one sensor conduit input port. The upper branch of the internal conduit in the main body may be shaped to: in response to the flow rate of the leakage fluid received by the at least one fluid input port exceeding a specified threshold, direct the leakage fluid in the internal conduit to above the at least one sensor conduit input port and reach the at least one drain port, and the at least one fluid input port in the main body may include: a plurality of different fluid input ports, adapted to be individually coupled to a first source container of fluid leakage, and fluidically coupled to the internal conduit in the block.
[0053] The internal conduit in the body may form a continuous loop that fluidly couples the at least one fluid input port, the at least one sensor conduit input port, and the at least one drain port. The at least one drain port of the body may be adapted to be fluidly coupled to the first source container such that leakage fluid flowing through the internal conduit in the body is returned to the first source container.
[0054] The at least one sensor conduit input port of the body may be adapted to couple with a sensor that detects the presence of a leaking fluid in the internal conduit of the body. The at least one sensor conduit input port of the body may include a first sensor conduit input port and a second sensor conduit input port. The first sensor conduit input port may be adapted to couple with a fluid sensor that detects the presence of a leaking fluid in the internal conduit of the body. The second sensor conduit input port may be adapted to couple with a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the leaking fluid in the internal conduit of the body.
[0055] The flow reducing portion of the lower branch of the inner conduit may be a first flow reducing portion, and the inner conduit may include a second flow reducing portion disposed below the second sensor conduit input port. The body may be a unitary body that does not include any seams or interfaces between different parts of the body. The at least one fluid input port of the block is adapted to be fluidically coupled to a fuel line of the vehicle.
[0056] At least one drain of the block may be coupled to one or more fluids in a fuel tank, an engine oil sump, or a waste collection tank of a vehicle as one or more of a first source container or a different second source container. Optionally, the at least one drain comprises a plurality of drains adapted to direct fluid in the internal conduit out of the block and to one or more of the first source container or a different second source container. The at least one drain may be located below at least one fluid input port in the body. Alternatively, the at least one drain is located above at least one fluid input port in the body. In another embodiment, one drain may be below the fluid input port and another drain may be above the fluid input.
[0057] In one embodiment, a method includes additively manufacturing a body having at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fluid leaking from a first source container; at least one drain port adapted to be fluidically coupled to one or more of the first source container or a second, different source container; and at least one sensor conduit input port adapted to be fluidically coupled to at least one sensor. The at least one fluid input port is additively manufactured above the at least one drain port in the body, but below the at least one sensor conduit input port in the body. The body is additively manufactured to include an internal conduit that is fluidically coupled to and extends between the at least one fluid input port, the at least one drain port, and the at least one sensor conduit input port. The internal conduit is additively manufactured to include a lower branch extending in the body from below the at least one fluid input port to the at least one drain port. The internal conduit is additively manufactured to include an upper branch extending in the body from above the at least one sensor conduit input port to the at least one drain port. The lower branch of the internal conduit is additively manufactured to include a flow reducing portion having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the upper branch of the internal conduit. The internal conduit is additively manufactured to include a flow reducing portion below the at least one fluid input port and the at least one sensor conduit input port, but above the at least one drain port.
[0058] Optionally, the body is additively manufactured so that at least one fluid input port of the body is adapted to receive leakage fluid, and the lower branch of the internal conduit is adapted to partially block the flow of the leakage fluid in the internal conduit so that the leakage fluid in the internal conduit reaches the at least one sensor conduit input port. The upper branch of the internal conduit in the body can be additively manufactured to have such a shape that, in response to the flow rate of the leakage fluid received by the at least one fluid input port exceeding a specified threshold, the leakage fluid in the internal conduit is directed above the at least one sensor conduit input port and reaches the at least one exhaust port.
[0059] The body may be additively manufactured such that at least one fluid input port in the body includes: a plurality of different fluid input ports adapted to be individually coupled to a first source container of a fluid leak, fluidly coupled to an internal conduit in the block. The internal conduit in the body may be additively manufactured to form a continuous loop that fluidly couples the at least one fluid input port, the at least one sensor conduit input port, and the at least one drain port.
[0060] At least one drain port of the body may be additively manufactured to be fluidically coupled to a first source container such that leakage fluid flowing through an internal conduit in the body returns to the first source container. At least one sensor conduit input port of the body may be additively manufactured to be coupled to a sensor that detects the presence of leakage fluid in the internal conduit of the body. At least one sensor conduit input port of the body may be additively manufactured to include a first sensor conduit input port and a second sensor conduit input port. The first sensor conduit input port may be coupled to a fluid sensor that detects the presence of leakage fluid in the internal conduit of the body. The second sensor conduit input port may be coupled to a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of leakage fluid in the internal conduit of the body.
[0061] The inner conduit may be additively manufactured to have a first flow reducing portion and a second flow reducing portion disposed below the second sensor conduit input port.
[0062] In one embodiment, a vehicle fuel leak detection device includes a body having at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fuel leaking from a vehicle; at least one discharge port adapted to be fluidically coupled to a fuel tank of the fuel; and a first sensor conduit input port adapted to be fluidically coupled to a fluid sensor. The at least one fluid input port is disposed above the at least one discharge port in the body, but below the at least one sensor conduit input port in the body. The body includes an internal conduit passageway, the internal conduit passageway being fluidically coupled to and extending between the at least one fluid input port, the at least one discharge port, and the at least one sensor conduit input port. The internal conduit includes a lower branch extending from below the at least one fluid input port to the at least one discharge port in the body. The internal conduit includes a lower branch extending from above the at least one sensor conduit input port to the at least one discharge port in the body alone. The lower branch of the internal conduit includes a flow reducing portion having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the upper branch of the internal conduit. The flow reducing portion of the internal conduit is located below the at least one fluid input port and the at least one sensor conduit input port, but above the at least one discharge port.
[0063] Optionally, at least one fluid input port of the body is adapted to receive the leakage fluid, and the lower branch of the internal conduit is adapted to partially block the flow of the leakage fluid in the internal conduit, so that the leakage fluid in the internal conduit reaches the at least one sensor conduit input port. The at least one fluid input port in the body may include: a plurality of different fluid input ports of the leaking fuel. The internal conduit in the body may form a continuous loop, which fluidly couples the at least one fluid input port, the at least one sensor conduit input port, and the at least one exhaust port.
[0064] The at least one sensor conduit input port of the body may include a first sensor conduit input port and a second sensor conduit input port. The first sensor conduit input port may be adapted to be coupled to a fluid sensor that detects the presence of leaking fluid in the internal conduit of the body. The second sensor conduit input port may be adapted to be coupled to a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the leaking fluid in the internal conduit of the body. The body may be a unitary body that does not include any seams or interfaces between different parts of the body.
[0065] As described above, the sensor can generate an output (e.g., an electrical signal) representative of a measured, sensed, or detected characteristic. The output can be configured to a processor, computer, etc. for analysis to detect fluid, identify fluid, and / or determine how much fluid is leaking.
[0066] As used in this application, the terms "processor" and "computer" and related terms such as "processing device", "computing device" and "controller" may not be limited to those integrated circuits known in the art as computers, but refer to microcontrollers, microcomputers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), field programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and other programmable circuits. Suitable memory may include, for example, computer-readable media. Computer-readable media may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), computer-readable non-volatile media, such as flash memory. The term "non-transitory computer-readable medium" represents a computer-based tangible device for short-term and long-term storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and submodules, or other data in any device. Therefore, the methods described herein may be encoded as executable instructions contained in tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media, including but not limited to storage devices and / or memory devices. Such instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform at least a portion of the methods described in this application. Thus, the term includes tangible computer-readable media, including but not limited to non-transitory computer storage devices, including but not limited to volatile and non-volatile media, and removable and non-removable media such as firmware, physical and virtual storage, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and other digital resources such as a network or the Internet.
[0067] Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the singular forms "the" and "said" include plural references. "Optional" or "optionally" means that the event or situation described subsequently may or may not occur, and the description may include situations where the event occurs and situations where it does not occur. Approximate language used throughout the specification and claims can be used to modify any quantitative representation that is permissible for variation without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it may be associated. Therefore, a value modified by one or more terms, such as "approximately", "substantially", and "approximately", may not be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the precision of an instrument used to measure a value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged, and unless the context or language indicates otherwise, such ranges may be identified and include all subranges contained therein.
[0068] This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The claims define the patentable scope of the disclosure, and include other examples that occur to a person skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
Claims
1. A leakage detection device, comprising: a body having at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fluid leaked from a first source container; at least one drain adapted to couple with one or more of a first source container or a second, different source container as a source of fluid leakage; as well as at least one sensor conduit input port adapted to be fluidly coupled to at least one sensor; wherein the at least one fluid input port is disposed above the at least one drain port in the body but below the at least one sensor conduit input port in the body, The body includes an internal conduit that is fluidly coupled to and extends between the at least one fluid input port, the at least one drain port, and the at least one sensor conduit input port, the internal conduit including a lower branch that extends in the body from below the at least one fluid input port to the at least one drain port, and the internal conduit including an upper branch that extends in the body from above the at least one sensor conduit input port to the at least one drain port alone, The lower branch of the inner conduit includes a flow reducing portion having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the upper branch of the inner conduit, the flow reducing portion of the inner conduit being below the at least one fluid input port and the at least one sensor conduit input port but above the at least one exhaust port.
2. The leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one fluid input port of the body is adapted to receive leakage fluid, and the lower branch of the inner conduit is adapted to partially block the flow of leakage fluid in the inner conduit so that the leakage fluid in the inner conduit reaches the at least one sensor conduit input port.
3. The leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The upper branch of the inner conduit in the body is shaped to direct leakage fluid in the inner conduit above the at least one sensor conduit input port and to the at least one drain port in response to a flow rate of leakage fluid received by the at least one fluid input port exceeding a specified threshold.
4. The leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one fluid input port in the body includes a plurality of different fluid input ports adapted to be individually coupled to the first source container of fluid leakage and fluidly coupled to the internal conduit in the block.
5. The leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The internal conduit in the body forms a continuous loop that fluidly couples the at least one fluid input port, the at least one sensor conduit input port, and the at least one exhaust port.
6. The leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one drain port of the body is adapted to be fluidly coupled to the first source container such that leakage fluid flowing through the internal conduit in the body is returned to the first source container.
7. The leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one sensor conduit input port of the body is adapted to couple with a sensor that detects the presence of leaking fluid in the internal conduit of the body.
8. The leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one sensor conduit input port of the body includes a first sensor conduit input port and a second sensor conduit input port, The first sensor conduit input port is adapted to couple with a fluid sensor that detects the presence of leaking fluid in the internal conduit of the body, The second sensor conduit input port is adapted to couple to a pressure sensor that detects pressure of leaking fluid in the internal conduit of the body.
9. The leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one drain port comprises a plurality of drain ports adapted to direct fluid in the internal conduit out of the block and to one or more of the first source container or the second, different source container.
10. The leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one drain port is located one or more of below the at least one fluid input port in the body or above the at least one fluid input port in the body.
11. A method for manufacturing a leak detection device, comprising: Additive manufacturing subject; The body has: at least one fluid input port, the fluid input port being adapted to receive fluid leaked from a first source container; at least one discharge port adapted to be coupled to one or more fluids in a first source container or a second, different source container; and at least one sensor conduit input port adapted to be coupled to at least one sensor fluid, the at least one fluid input port additively manufactured in the body above the at least one exhaust port in the body but below the at least one sensor conduit input port in the body, the additively manufactured body including an internal conduit fluidly coupled to and extending between the at least one fluid input port, the at least one exhaust port, and the at least one sensor conduit input port, the additively manufactured internal conduit including a lower branch extending in the body from below the at least one fluid input port to the at least one exhaust port, the additively manufactured internal conduit including an upper branch extending separately in the body from above the at least one sensor conduit input port to the at least one exhaust port, The lower branch of the additively manufactured internal conduit includes a flow reducing portion having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than an upper branch of the internal conduit, the flow reducing portion of the additively manufactured internal conduit being below the at least one fluid input port and the at least one sensor conduit input port, but above the at least one exhaust port.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The body is additively manufactured so that the at least one fluid input port of the body is suitable for receiving leakage fluid, and the lower branch of the internal conduit is suitable for partially blocking the flow of leakage fluid in the internal conduit so that the leakage fluid in the internal conduit reaches the at least one sensor conduit input port.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The upper branch of the internal conduit in the body is additively manufactured to have a shape that directs leakage fluid in the internal conduit above the at least one sensor conduit input port and to the at least one drain port in response to a flow rate of leakage fluid received by the at least one fluid input port exceeding a specified threshold.
14. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The body is additively manufactured such that the at least one fluid input port in the body includes a plurality of distinct fluid input ports adapted to individually couple with the first source container of fluid leakage, fluidly coupled with the internal conduit in the block.
15. A vehicle fuel leak detection device, comprising: a body having at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fuel leaking from the vehicle; at least one drain port adapted to be fluidly coupled to a fuel tank for fuel; as well as a first sensor conduit input port adapted to be fluidically coupled to a fluid sensor; wherein the at least one fluid input port is disposed above the at least one drain port in the body but below the at least one sensor conduit input port in the body, The body includes an internal conduit passageway fluidly coupled to and extending between the at least one fluid input port, the at least one drain port, and the at least one sensor conduit input port, the internal conduit including a lower branch extending in the body from below the at least one fluid input port to the at least one drain port, and the internal conduit including an upper branch extending in the body from above the at least one sensor conduit input port to the at least one drain port alone, The lower branch of the inner conduit includes a flow reducing portion having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the upper branch of the inner conduit, the flow reducing portion of the inner conduit being below the at least one fluid input port and the at least one sensor conduit input port but above the at least one exhaust port.
16. The vehicle fuel leak detection device according to claim 15, wherein: The at least one fluid input port of the body is adapted to receive leaked fuel, and the lower branch of the inner conduit is adapted to partially block the flow of leaked fuel in the inner conduit so that the leaked fuel in the inner conduit reaches the at least one sensor conduit input port.
17. The vehicle fuel leak detection device according to claim 15, wherein: The at least one fluid input port in the body includes a plurality of different fluid input ports for the leaking fuel.
18. The vehicle fuel leak detection device according to claim 15, wherein: The internal conduit in the body forms a continuous loop that fluidly couples the at least one fluid input port, the at least one sensor conduit input port, and the at least one exhaust port.
19. The vehicle fuel leak detection device according to claim 15, wherein: The at least one sensor conduit input port of the body includes a first sensor conduit input port and a second sensor conduit input port, The first sensor conduit input port is adapted to couple to a fluid sensor that detects the presence of leaking fuel in the internal conduit of the body, The second sensor conduit input port is adapted to be coupled to a pressure sensor that detects pressure of leaking fuel in the internal conduit of the body.
20. The vehicle fuel leak detection device according to claim 15, wherein: The body is a unitary body that does not include any seams or interfaces between different parts of the body.