Liquid leak and liquid composition change monitoring and control system

Abstract

A fluid detection monitoring system (1010) has a gas detection circuitry (1012), a liquid detection circuitry and a monitoring unit (1040). The gas detection circuitry (1012) senses a gas composition. The monitoring unit (1040) is in communication with the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014). The monitoring unit (1040) sends and receives signals to and from the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014). The monitoring unit (1040) receives one or more signals corresponding to the gas composition from the gas detection circuitry (1012) and logs an environmental gas makeup for threshold detection. The monitoring unit (1040) acts as a source of power for the gas detection circuitry (1012). The monitoring unit (1040 provides logic for the gas detection circuitry (1012). The monitoring unit (1040) communicates other fault or operational statuses of the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014).

Description

Attorney Docket No. 6378.154544 PATENT1LIQUID LEAK AND LIQUID COMPOSITION CHANGE MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEMDESCRIPTIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 701,829, filed on October 1, 2024, and is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N / ATECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to detecting leaks and composition changes in piping systems; more particularly, the invention relates to detecting a dielectric constant change in a to detect a presence of liquid or a change in composition of a liquid.BACKGROUND

[0004] There are many ways to detect the presence of liquids in areas where liquids are not desired and / or contamination of liquids. A possible device is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,2387,452.

[0005] According to U.S. Patent No. 3,2387,452, an apparatus continuously monitors fuels and other relatively electrically non-conductive liquids for trace amounts of fine particulate solids and undissolved water. The apparatus may be useful in monitoring jet fuel as it is being transferred to the fuel tank of a jet aircraft. The apparatus functions by diverting a side-stream of a fluid flowing through a line and conducting it through a filter-capacitive- measuring cell, then through a second capacitive-measuring cell connected in series with the filter cell and located downstream. Both cells are capacitors with the plates of each being connected through a selector switch to a Wheatstone bridge circuit. The change in the capacitive reactance of the filter cell is dependent on the amount of solid particles accumulated on the filter and the water concentration in the flowing liquid, while the change in the capacitive reactance of the second cell is dependent only on the water concentration in the fluid, the solids having been removed by the filter unit of the first cell. The apparatus purportedly detects contamination in a liquid and solids and water contamination in a liquid which is relatively electrically nonconductive. The apparatus further purportedly detects theAttorney Docket No. 6378.1545442 presence of water in a non-aqueous liquid. The apparatus further purportedly monitors a change in a dielectric constant of a liquid.

[0006] Monitoring for the presence of liquid is an effective way to monitor for leaks. However, with some engineered fluids, especially those fluids having phase state volatility, leaks may occur without any liquids being present.

[0007] The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior monitoring systems of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for determining if a liquid is present in a normally or expected dry location. The presence of such triggers an alarm. Additionally, a system described herein can signal an alarm when a liquid is normally present that has been contaminated enough to change its dielectric constant. Also, the system described herein can signal an alarm when a liquid is replaced by another liquid with a different dielectric constant or when a liquid is replaced by air.

[0009] An aspect of the disclosure is directed to a fluid detection monitoring system. The fluid monitoring system has a gas detection circuitry. The gas detection circuitry senses a gas composition. A liquid detection circuitry detects a liquid. A monitoring unit or controller is in communication with the gas detection circuitry and the liquid detection circuitry. The monitoring unit sends and receives signals to and from the gas detection circuitry and the liquid detection circuitry. The monitoring unit receives one or more signals corresponding to the gas composition from the gas detection circuitry and logs an environmental gas makeup for threshold detection. The monitoring unit acts as a source of power for the gas detection circuitry. The monitoring unit provides logic for the gas detection circuitry. The monitoring unit provides a reference signal for the liquid detection circuit. The monitoring unit provides feedback when a threshold is crossed, wherein the monitoring unit communicates a type of detection made. The monitoring unit communicates other fault or operational statuses of the gas detection circuitry and the liquid detection circuitry.

[0010] This aspect of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features, alone or in any reasonable combination. The liquid detection circuitry may comprise a liquid sensing cable, wherein the liquid sensing cable is penetrable by a liquid toAttorney Docket No. 6378.1545443 determine presence of the liquid. The liquid detection circuitry may comprises a float switch, wherein the liquid detection circuitry is activated by the float switch. The liquid detection circuitry may comprise a liquid sensitive material, wherein the liquid sensitive material has a shape that is deformed in the presence of the liquid, wherein the liquid detection circuitry is activated by a deformation of the liquid sensitive material. The gas detection circuitry may be configured to measure specific concentrations of monitored gases. The gas detection circuitry may comprise an oxygen sensor that measures a relative percentage of oxygen in a monitored environment. Sensor components of the gas detection circuitry and the fluid detection circuitry may be replaceable upon exhaustion of respective life expectancies. The monitoring unit may be remote from the gas detection circuitry and the fluid detection circuitry. The monitoring unit may be connected to the gas detection circuitry and the fluid detection circuitry by a harness. The gas detection circuitry and the fluid detection circuitry may be connected to a main body terminal as an integrated module which is connected to the monitoring unit.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a dielectric constant monitoring system. The system comprises a dielectric constant sensor and a controller in communication with the dielectric constant sensor. The controller is configured to send an electrical signal to the dielectric constant sensor and receive an electrical signal from the dielectric constant sensor. The controller compares the electrical signal sent to the dielectric constant sensor to the electrical signal received from the dielectric constant sensor. The electrical signal to the dielectric constant sensor and the electrical signal received from the dielectric constant sensor are carried by a pair of electrically insulated metallic wires. A threshold value is set on the controller. The threshold value corresponds to a predetermined dielectric constant and one of manually or automatically set on the controller. The controller determines a deviation from the threshold value. The controller emits a signal upon the deviation from the threshold value exceeding a predetermined deviation value.

[0012] This aspect of the disclosure includes one or more of the following features, alone or in any reasonable combination. The controller may calculate a dielectric constant from the electrical signal sent to the dielectric constant sensor and the electrical signal received from the dielectric constant sensor. The dielectric constant sensor may comprise a plurality of spaced apart elements wherein adjacent elements are separated by a gap which allows a fluid flow to flow freely between the elements. Each element may have an electrically insulating cover. A nonconductive spacer may be located between adjacent elements. Each element in the plurality of elements may be electrically connected to the controller.Attorney Docket No. 6378.1545444

[0013] Further to the second aspect of the disclosure, each of the plurality of elements of the dielectric constant sensor may be a spaced apart plate wherein adjacent plates are separated by the gap which allows a fluid flow to flow freely between the plates. Each plate may have an electrically insulating cover. Each of the plurality of plates may have a thickness equal to a thickness of remaining plates of the plurality of plates. The plurality of plates may be joined in stacked relationship by a nonconductive fastener. The nonconductive fastener may pass through apertures in each plate. The nonconductive fastener may also pass through each spacer. Each plate in the plurality of plates may be electrically connected to the controller by an insulated metallic wire. The system may further comprise a vented non- metallic housing in which the dielectric constant sensor resides. The housing may have an opening through which the insulated metallic wires pass.

[0014] Further to the second aspect of the disclosure, the plurality of elements may comprise a sensing wire which may optionally have an insulating cover about which a metallic shield is located and spaced therefrom. The nonconductive spacer may be spirally wrapped about the sensing wire or a wicking yarn type material may be wrapped around the sensing wire. Each revolution of the nonconductive spacer spirally wrapped about the sensing wire may have a fixed percentage of air gap between each revolution that is around the sensing wire. The metallic shield may optionally have a nonmetallic covering thereon. The metallic shield may have a nonconductive wicking material integrated with the metallic shield. The nonmetallic covering may be covered by a nonmetallic braid. The dielectric constant sensor may terminate at one end with a UHF plug. The dielectric constant sensor may terminate at an opposite end with a heat shrink seal or optionally a gas senser may be attached to a distal end of the liquid sensing cable in place of a heat shrunk mastic lined end cap.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a liquid leak and / or liquid composition change monitoring and control panel joined to an insulated conductive plate sensor;

[0018] FIG. 2 is the top view of the insulated conductive plate sensor;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a cable sensor;Attorney Docket No. 6378.1545445

[0020] FIG. 4 is a view of a cable sensor assembly;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a cable sensor;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a remote gas / oxygen sensing probe connection to a fluid detection monitoring unit

[0023] FIG. 7 is a schematic of an integrated gas / oxygen sensing probe connection to a main body of a fluid detection monitoring unit;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a schematic of a multi -detecting probe with an integrated gas / oxygen sensing probe connection to a fluid detection monitoring unit;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a schematic of a multi -detecting probe with an integrated gas / oxygen sensing probe and a liquid sensing probe comprising a float switch connected to a fluid detection monitoring unit;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a schematic of a multi -detecting probe with an integrated gas / oxygen sensing probe and a liquid sensing probe comprising a float switch connected to a main body terminal and / or power source;

[0027] FIG. 11 is a schematic of a multi -detecting probe with an integrated gas / oxygen sensing probe and a liquid sensing probe comprising a liquid sensitive material connected to a fluid detection monitoring unit;

[0028] FIG. 12 is a schematic of a multi -detecting probe with an integrated gas / oxygen sensing probe and a liquid sensing probe comprising a float switch connected to a main body terminal and / or power source; and

[0029] FIG. 13 is a schematic of a plurality of gas detection circuitries and liquid detection circuitries, each connected to the monitoring unit.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0031] According to the present disclosure, a monitoring system monitors a dielectric constant of material passing between elements of a sensor. The monitoring system is calibrated to a non-alarm state that corresponds to a dielectric constant of an expected material located between the elements of the sensor. When the dielectric constant of the material between the elements of the sensor changes by a predetermined amount due toAttorney Docket No. 6378.1545446 introduction of a different material (e.g., a contaminant), the monitoring system communicates the change by at least one of the following signals: visual, audible, digital, and / or electrical.

[0032] The present disclosure detects leaks of fluids having phase state volatility, using gas and / or oxygen sensors in addition to liquid presence sensors to determine the presence of the monitored fluids. Gas concentrations may be monitored using specific gas sensors depending on the monitored fluid. Additionally, or alternatively, the presence of a gas may be determined by the displacement of oxygen, and the resulting reduction on concentration of oxygen in the environment. Baselines may be set dependent on the environment being monitored. Generally, the environment is an area immediately surrounding sensor, typically an open environment.

[0033] Many phase state volatile fluids such as two-phase cooling fluids readily change from liquid to gas. The present disclosure integrates a gas and / or oxygen sensor along with a liquid presence sensor to concurrently monitor for both liquid and gas phases of a monitored fluid. The system provides a status to alert any monitoring parties.

[0034] A leak detection system of the present disclosure detects a liquid phase of any fluid able to penetrate a sensor cable. Two phase fluids are designed to have a relatively low boiling point at normal pressure and will readily phase-change to gas once a leak occurs. Use of a gas sensor is employed to directly detect concentrations of gas in a surrounding environment. Additionally, or alternatively, an oxygen sensor may be employed to measure for a relative drop in oxygen levels from displacement due to a quantity of additional gas being released into a monitored environment. Adding a modular sensor to the detection system will monitor for these two-phase fluids even given phase state volatility.

[0035] The monitoring system of the present disclosure can be automatically or manually tuned to a baseline dielectric constant (i.e. a reference signal) and will then detect changes to the dielectric constant through impedance changes between two or more sensor elements. The monitoring system sets a baseline voltage threshold that changes when impedance between the elements changes. Once a minimum change threshold is crossed, the monitoring system communicates an alarm. The sensor elements can be a stack of two or more insulated conductive plates that are separated by a fixed distance gap. The sensor elements can also be cable where two or more of the conductive elements are separated by a fixed distance with the use of a spacer that is made up of a fixed percentage of air and of a nonmetallic spacer material. The sensor elements have no exposed conductive material.Attorney Docket No. 6378.1545447

[0036] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-5, a dielectric constant monitoring system 10 comprises a controller 14 comprising a monitoring unit, such as a computer having a memory on which software is stored for performing methods steps or other suitable hardwired device capable of performing method steps via commands or the like, and dielectric constant sensor 18. The dielectric constant monitoring system 10 detects a dielectric constant change. Specifically, the dielectric constant monitoring system 10 detects a dielectric constant of material between a dielectric constant sensor’s elements 22 by monitoring the dielectric constant sensor through connections 26 and 30 to the controller 14 within a given an environment 1000, which environment may be open or closed and may be, for example, a pipe, piping system, and / or an area directly adjacent and / or surrounding a pipe or piping system.

[0037] The dielectric constant monitoring system 10 can be automatically or manually tuned (calibrated) to a threshold dielectric constant of the material between the dielectric constant sensor’s elements 22. Changes to the material between the sensor elements 22 can cause a change to the dielectric constant. When a change to the dielectric constant crosses a predetermined threshold set in the controller 14, the controller 14 will trigger a signal that the predetermined threshold has been exceeded. The signal may be one or more of a visual signal 34 (strobe light, LED, etc.), audible 38 (chime, horn, siren, etc.), a digital signal 42 (Modbus, BACnet, etc., using ethemet, RS-485, WIFI, etc.), and / or 46 electrical (mechanical relay, solid-state relays, etc.).

[0038] The dielectric constant sensor 18 generally comprises a plurality of spaced apart elements 22,122, 160. Adjacent elements 22,122, 160 are separated by a gap 53,153 which allows a fluid flow to flow freely between the elements 22,122,160. Each element 22,122,160 has an electrically insulating cover. A nonconductive spacer 53,153 is located between adjacent elements 22,122,160. Each element 22,122,160 in the plurality of elements is electrically connected to the controller 14.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a dielectric constant sensor 18 for detecting dielectric material is provided. The dielectric constant sensor 18 has a plurality of insulated conductive plates 22 connected to insulated hookup wires 24. The insulated conductive plates 22 are joined by one or more fasteners, preferably nonconductive screws 50, such as nonconductive machine screws, passing through apertures in the insulated conductive plates 22. Nonconductive spacers 52 between adjacent insulated conductive plates 22 provide gaps 53 between the insulated conductive plates 22, such that each plate 22 is spaced apart by a gap 53 from an adjacent plate 22, which allows a fluid flowAttorney Docket No. 6378.1545448 to flow freely between the plates 22. The nonconductive spacers 52 may be held in place by the nonconductive screws 50 and nonconductive nuts 58 at the ends of each nonconductive screw 50 hold the components of the dielectric constant sensor 18 together. Thus, the nonconductive spacers 52 may have an aperture through which the nonconductive screw 50 passes. The dielectric constant sensor 18 may reside within a nonconductive housing 100 to measure the dielectric constant of a material 104 within the housing 100 and / or changes in the dielectric constant of the material 104 within the housing 100. The housing 100 is vented.

[0040] Illustratively, the dielectric constant sensor 18 of FIG. 1 has four non-conductive plates 22, joined by fasteners comprising two nonconductive screws 50 and two nonconductive screws 54. This maintains the plates 22 in a stacked relationship. The adjacent plates 22 are gapped from each other by nonconductive spacers 52. The plates 22 are preferably equal in thickness, such that each of the plurality of plates 22 has a thickness equal to a thickness of remaining plates 22 of the plurality of plates 22.

[0041] Insulated metallic hookup wires 24 connect the dielectric constant sensor 18 to connections 26,30, such as terminals, on the controller 14. The housing 100 includes passages through which the hookup wires pass. It should be noted that additional spacers 52 and longer nonconductive machine screws 50 may be necessary to join additional nonconductive plates 22 as needed may be added without departing from the present invention. The dimensions and shape of the insulated conductive plate 22 and the thickness of the nonconductive spacers 52 may also without departing from the present invention.

[0042] The controller 14 is in electrical communication with the dielectric constant sensor 18. The controller 14 is configured to send an electrical signal to the dielectric constant sensor 18 and receive an electrical signal from the dielectric constant sensor 18. The controller 14 compares the electrical signal sent to the dielectric constant sensor to the electrical signal received from the dielectric constant sensor. Insulated hookup wires 24 electrically connected to the controller terminals 26,30 and carry the electrical signals to and from the controller 14.

[0043] The controller 14 performs additional functions. Accordingly, the controller 14 may be a computer comprising a non-transitory memory and able to perform steps in a method defined by a software program stored in the non-transitory memory. Similarly, the controller 14 can be a hardwired circuitry that performs method steps. In either case, the controller calculates a dielectric constant from the electrical signal sent to the dielectric constant sensor 18 and the electrical signal received from the dielectric constant sensor 18. A threshold value is set on the controller 14. The threshold value corresponds to aAttorney Docket No. 6378.1545449 predetermined dielectric constant and is one of manually or automatically set on the controller 14. The controller 14 determines a deviation from the threshold value and emits a signal upon the deviation from the threshold value exceeding a predetermined deviation value. The controller 14 is capable of performing a calculation function wherein the controller 14 calculates a dielectric constant from the electrical signal sent to the dielectric constant sensor and the electrical signal received from the dielectric constant sensor.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, according to another embodiment, a dielectric constant sensor 180 for detecting dielectric material is provided. The dielectric constant sensor 180 comprises a polymer coated conductive center element 122, generally a coated sensing wire, about which a spirally wrapped polymeric spacer or a wi eking yarn-type material 152 is wrapped such that a fixed percentage air gap 153 between each revolution that is around the center element 122. The sensing wire 122 and the spirally wrapped polymeric spacer or a wi eking yam type material 152 are surrounded by a metallic shield 160 which is wrapped about both the sensing wire 122, and the spacer 152. The metallic shield 160 may be formed from a metallic wire, for example copper, insulated with a polymeric coating and that may have nonconductive wi eking material integrated with the metallic shield 164 and may be surrounded by a protective nonmetallic braid 168.

[0045] In use, fluid ingresses into interstitial space between the sensing wire and the shield to fill the spaces created by the spiral of the polymeric wire.

[0046] Generally, nonconductive coating 124 is in place to prevent corrosion of sensing elements and to prevent potential shorting of electrical equipment with which the sensing elements may come into contact.

[0047] As may be seen in conjunction with FIG. 4, polymer coated conductive center element 122 is electrically connected to a pin 172, e.g., a center pin, of a UHF plug 176 or directly connected to connections 26,30 of controller 14 (see FIG. 1). The metallic shield 160 is electrically connected to an outer body 180 of the UHF plug 176 or may be directly connected to connections 26,30 of controller 14 (see FIG. 1), and the opposite end has the polymer coated conductive center element 122 and the metallic shield 160 may be covered by an end cap 184 or an oxygen / gas senser 1022 may be connected to a distal end of the liquid sensing wire 122 and / or metallic shield 160 in place of a heat shrunk mastic lined end cap (see, e g. FIG. 8).

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 6-11, the present disclosure is also directed to an integration of gas and / or oxygen sensing capabilities with a liquid presence detection in a fluid detection monitoring system 1010 for detecting multiple phases of a fluid with phase state volatility.Attorney Docket No. 6378.15454410The fluid detection monitoring system 1010 includes circuitry configured for detection of gas and / or liquid 1012,1014. The gas detection circuitry 1012 comprises one or more sensors 1022, preferably a gas sensor and / or an oxygen sensor, connected to a monitoring unit 1040, such as incorporated with or into the controller 14 described above, concatenating data from one or more additional sensors 1022, 1038 for detecting the presence of a monitored fluid. When a threshold (typically a percentage makeup or parts per million) is met, the presence of the monitored fluid is communicated using any combination of the following: visual 1024a (strobe light, LED, etc.), audible 1024b (chime, horn, siren, etc.), digital 1024c (Modbus, BACnet, etc. using ethernet, RS-485, WIFI, etc.), and / or electrical 1024d (mechanical relay, solid-state relays, etc.), wherein the monitoring unit 1040 sends and receives signals to and from gas detection circuitry and liquid detection circuitry,

[0049] In operation, the monitoring unit 1040 receives one or more signals corresponding to a gas composition from the gas detection circuitry and logs an environmental gas makeup for threshold detection. The monitoring unit 1040 may act as a source of power for the gas detection circuitry. The monitoring unit 1040 provides logic (a connection interface and communication logic) for the gas detection circuitry and a reference signal for the liquid detection circuit. The monitoring unit 1040 provides feedback when a threshold is crossed, wherein the monitoring unit 1040 communicates a type of detection made. The monitoring unit 1040 communicates other fault or operational statuses of the gas detection circuitry and the liquid detection circuitry, such as a sensor break, disconnect, short, etc.

[0050] The liquid sensor 1038 of the detection circuitry 1012, 1014 may comprise a liquid sensing cable, wherein the liquid sensing cable is penetrable by a liquid to determine presence of the liquid. This liquid sensor 1038 may include any of the sensors described herein. (See, e.g., FIGS. 3-5).

[0051] Alternatively, the liquid sensor 1038 of the liquid detection circuitry may comprise a float switch 1039. (See FIGS. 9 and 10). The liquid detection circuitry is activated by the float switch 1039.

[0052] Alternatively, the liquid sensor 1038 of the liquid detection circuitry 1014 may comprise a liquid sensitive material 1041. (See FIGS. 11 and 12). The liquid sensitive material 1041 has a shape that is deformed in the presence of the liquid. The liquid detection circuitry is activated by a deformation of the liquid sensitive material 1041.

[0053] The gas detection circuitry 1012 may comprise an oxygen sensor 1022 that measures a relative percentage of oxygen in a monitored environment 1000. The environment 1000 may comprise an area immediately surrounding the oxygen sensor 1022,Attorney Docket No. 6378.15454411 generally an open environment. The gas detection circuitry 1012 may be configured to measure specific concentrations of monitored gases and / or measure a relative percentage of oxygen in a monitored environment.

[0054] Sensor components of the gas detection circuitry 1012 and the liquid detection circuitry 1014 are replaceable upon exhaustion of respective life expectancies.

[0055] The monitoring unit 1040 may be remote from the gas detection circuitry 1012 and the liquid detection circuitry 1014.

[0056] The monitoring unit 1040 may be connected to the gas detection circuitry 1012 and the liquid detection circuitry 1014 by the harness 1026.

[0057] The gas detection circuitry 1012 and the liquid detection circuitry 1014 are connected to a main body terminal and / or power source 1042 as an integrated module connected to the monitoring unit 1040. In the absence of a separate power source for the circuitry, the monitoring unit acts as a power source.

[0058] The fluid detection monitoring system 1010 may further comprise a plurality of gas detection circuitries 1012 and liquid detection circuitries 1014, each connected to the monitoring unit 1040.

[0059] One embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. A monitoring unit 1040 is connected to a gas and / or oxygen sensor 1022 by means of a cable harness 1026 to provide the necessary signals (e.g. power and communications) and feedback (e.g. digital output and communicated status). The gas and / or oxygen sensor 1022 may then be placed remotely from the monitoring unit 1040 in a location advantageous for measuring the presence of the monitored fluid. Liquid presence sensors and / or gas sensors and / or oxygen sensors, and / or other similar sensors are additionally connected to the monitoring unit 1040 for data concatenation and communication of status.

[0060] One embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 . Here, a gas and / or oxygen sensor 1022 is coupled with a liquid presence sensor 1038. The monitoring unit 1040 is connected to the gas and / or oxygen sensor 1022 directly via a pin header or direct placement on an underlying PCB 1036. Necessary signals (e.g. power, communications) and feedback (e.g. digital output, communicated status) are provided directly to the sensors. The monitoring unit 1040 is further connected via harness 1026 or other means for power and to communicate status as a discreet unit 1042.

[0061] One embodiment is shown in FIG. 8. Here, a gas and / or oxygen sensor 1022 is coupled with the liquid presence sensor 1038. A monitoring unit 1040 is connected to the gas and / or oxygen sensor 1022 via the liquid presence sensor 1038 acting additionally as aAttorney Docket No. 6378.15454412 harness. Necessary signals (e.g. power, communications) and feedback (e.g. digital output, communicated status) are provided to the sensor 1022 via the hamess / liquid sensor combination 1038. The monitoring unit 1040 is further connected via harness 1026 or other means to a source of power and to communicate status as a discrete unit 1042.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment has a plurality of gas detection circuitries and liquid detection circuitries, for example, gas and / or oxygen sensors 1022 and liquid presence sensors 1038, each connected to a separate monitoring unit 1040 in the manner and under the conditions described above. A central controller 14 may comprise a central monitoring unit 1048 for communication of monitoring results, faults, operational statuses, and the like as also described above.

[0063] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 6378.15454413CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A fluid detection monitoring system (1010) comprising: a gas detection circuitry (1012), the gas detection circuitry (1012) sensing a gas composition in an environment (1000); a liquid detection circuitry (1014) in the environment (1000); and a monitoring unit (1040) in communication with the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014), wherein the monitoring unit (1040) sends and receives signals to and from the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014), wherein the monitoring unit (1040) receives one or more signals corresponding to the gas composition from the gas detection circuitry (1012) and logs an environmental gas makeup for threshold detection, wherein the monitoring unit (1040) acts as a source of power for the gas detection circuitry (1012), wherein the monitoring unit (1040 provides logic for the gas detection circuitry (1012), wherein the monitoring unit (1040) provides a reference signal for the liquid detection circuit (1014), wherein the monitoring unit (1040) provides feedback when a threshold is crossed, wherein the monitoring unit (1040) communicates a type of detection made, and wherein the monitoring unit (1040) communicates other fault or operational statuses of the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014).

2. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 1 wherein the liquid detection circuitry (1014) comprises a liquid sensing cable (1022), wherein the liquid sensing cable (1022) is penetrable by a liquid to determine presence of the liquid.

3. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 1 wherein the liquid detection circuitry (1014) comprises a float switch (1039), wherein the liquid detection circuitry (1014) is activated by the float switch (1039).

4. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 1 wherein the liquid detection circuitry (1014) comprises a liquid sensitive material (1041), wherein the liquid sensitiveAttorney Docket No. 6378.15454414 material (1041) has a shape that is deformed in the presence of the liquid, wherein the liquid detection circuitry (1014) is activated by a deformation of the liquid sensitive material (1041).

5. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 1 wherein the gas detection circuitry (1012) is configured to measure specific concentrations of monitored gases.

6. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 5 wherein the gas detection circuitry (1012) comprises an oxygen sensor (1022) that measures a relative percentage of oxygen in the environment (1000).

7. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 1 wherein sensor components of the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014) are replaceable upon exhaustion of respective life expectancies.

8. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 1 wherein the monitoring unit (1040) is remote from the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014).

9. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 8 wherein the monitoring unit (1040) is connected to the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014) by a harness (1026).

10. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 1 wherein the gas detection circuitry (1012) and the liquid detection circuitry (1014) are connected to a main body terminal (1042) as an integrated module which is connected to the monitoring unit (1040).

11. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 1 further comprising a plurality of gas detection circuitries (1012) and liquid detection circuitries (1014), each connected to the monitoring unit (1040).

12. The fluid detection monitoring system (1010) of Claim 1 wherein the environment (1000) is at least one a pipe, a piping system, or an area directly adjacent a pipe or piping system.

13. A dielectric constant monitoring system (10) comprising: a dielectric constant sensor (18); andAttorney Docket No. 6378.15454415 a controller (14) in communication with the dielectric constant sensor (18), the controller (14) configured to send an electrical signal to the dielectric constant sensor (18) and receive an electrical signal from the dielectric constant sensor (18), wherein the controller (14) compares the electrical signal sent to the dielectric constant sensor (18) to the electrical signal received from the dielectric constant sensor (18), wherein the electrical signal to the dielectric constant sensor (18) and the electrical signal received from the dielectric constant sensor (18) are carried by a pair of electrically insulated metallic wires (24), wherein a threshold value is set on the controller (14), the threshold value corresponding to a predetermined dielectric constant and one of manually or automatically set on the controller (14), and wherein the controller (14) determines a deviation from the threshold value, and wherein the controller (14) emits a signal upon the deviation from the threshold value exceeding a predetermined deviation value.

14. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 12 wherein the controller (14) calculates a dielectric constant from the electrical signal sent to the dielectric constant sensor (18) and the electrical signal received from the dielectric constant sensor (18).

15. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 13 wherein the dielectric constant sensor (18) comprises a plurality of spaced apart elements (22) wherein adjacent elements (22) are separated by a gap (53) which allows a fluid flow to flow freely between the elements (22).

16. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 14 wherein each element (22) has an electrically insulating cover.

17. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 15 wherein a nonconductive spacer is located between adjacent elements.

18. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 16 wherein each element in the plurality of elements is electrically connected to the controller (14).

19. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 17 wherein each of the plurality of elements of the dielectric constant sensor (18) is a spaced apart plate whereinAttorney Docket No. 6378.15454416 adjacent plates are separated by the gap (53) which allows a fluid flow to flow freely between the plates.

20. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 18 wherein each plate has an electrically insulating cover.

21. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 19 wherein each of the plurality of plates has a thickness equal to a thickness of remaining plates of the plurality of plates.

22. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 20 wherein the plurality of plates are joined in stacked relationship by a nonconductive fastener.

23. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 21 wherein the nonconductive fastener passes through apertures in each plate.

24. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 22 wherein the nonconductive fastener also passes through each spacer (52).

25. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 23 wherein each plate in the plurality of plates is electrically connected to the controller (14) by an insulated metallic wire.

26. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 24 further comprising a vented non-metallic housing in which the dielectric constant sensor (18) resides, the housing (100) having an opening through which the insulated metallic wires pass.

27. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 17 wherein the plurality of elements comprises a sensing wire (122) which may optionally have an insulating cover (124) about which a metallic shield (164) is located and spaced therefrom.

28. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 26 wherein the nonconductive spacer (152) is spirally wrapped about the sensing wire (122).

29. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 27 wherein each revolution of the nonconductive spacer (152) spirally wrapped about the sensing wire (122) has a fixed percentage of air gap (153) between each revolution that is around the sensing wire (122).Attorney Docket No. 6378.1545441730. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 28 wherein the metallic shield (164) optionally may have a nonmetallic covering thereon.

31. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 29 wherein the nonmetallic covering may be covered by a nonmetallic braid.

32. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 30 wherein the dielectric constant sensor (18) terminates at one end with a UHF plug or is electrically connected directly to the controller (14).

33. The dielectric constant monitoring system (10) of Claim 31 wherein the dielectric constant sensor (18) terminates at an opposite end with a heat shrink seal or optionally a gas senser may be attached to a distal end of the liquid sensing cable in place of a heat shrunk mastic lined end cap.

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