Off-Center Detection Wire Cable for Liquid Leak Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detection cables for conductive liquid leaks face challenges in drying and maintenance after a leak occurs, as the permeable non-conductive envelope soaks with liquid, requiring time and resources for drying.

Innovation Solution

A detection cable design with a detection wire arranged off-centered in a non-conductive envelope, allowing liquid to create an electrical path between the wire and ground only when penetrating between the wire and support core, eliminating the need for drying and preventing contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a permeable non-conductive envelop is used to detect liquid leaks, then liquid detection capability is improved, but drying and maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid detection capabilityVSAvoiddrying and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful function of the permeable envelop (absorbing liquid) is extracted and eliminated. The patent removes the permeable envelop entirely and replaces it with a different detection mechanism where liquid直接接触 the conductor, creating an electrical path without requiring the envelop to absorb or hold the liquid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a permeable envelop that absorbs liquid and then requires drying, the patent inverts the approach by allowing liquid to directly contact the conductor in a controlled manner. The detection mechanism is inverted from absorption-based to conduction-based, eliminating the drying requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If the conductor is arranged off-centered in the non-conductor envelope, then liquid leak detection precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid leak detection precisionVSAvoidconductor positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor is positioned with local quality variation - off-centered in the non-conductor envelope - to create a specific functional zone where liquid can contact the conductor. This asymmetric positioning creates a localized detection zone that improves precision while the patent addresses manufacturing through systematic design of the positioning features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The conductor is pre-positioned in an off-centered location during manufacturing, with preliminary action taken to create positioning features (such as eccentric mounting or asymmetric spacing) that ensure correct orientation before the cable is installed. This preliminary positioning action simplifies field installation while achieving precise detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the detection wire is arranged in a shape on the support core, then cable flexibility is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable flexibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable structure is segmented into modular components: the support core with its shape features, the detection wire arranged in specific patterns, and the non-conductor envelope. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall flexibility through the modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable employs a nested structure where the detection wire is arranged within the non-conductor envelope, which itself is supported by the support core. This nested arrangement allows the cable to maintain flexibility while organizing multiple functional elements in a compact, structured manner that manages complexity through hierarchical organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient detection and localization of liquid leaks without soaking the cable, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring continuous operation without drying requirements.

Implementation Method 1

when a liquid leak occurs, said liquid realizes an electrical path between said conductor and an electrical ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2330397B1Cable, module and installation for the detection and the localization of conductive liquid leaks.
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 TTK
  • EP2330397B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2330397B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2330397B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cable (400) for the detection and the localization of liquid leaks. The cable (400) comprises a non conductive support core (104) and a detection wire (102) comprising a conductor (106) arranged in a non conductive envelope (108) in an off-centered or exenterated fashion such that a part (114) of the conductor (106) is not covered by said non conductive envelope (108). Moreover, the detection wire (102) is arranged in a shape (112) realized on the support core (104), in an orientation such that the non covered part (114) of the conductor (106) is disposed between the support core (104) and the non conductive envelope (108) in a liquid permeable fashion. The cable (400) according to the invention also comprises a ground wire (202), and continuity wires (302,402) for the detection wire (102) and the ground wire (202). The invention also relates to a module implementing such a cable and to an installation implementing such a module.