Pipe Leak Detection Using Orifice Exhaust and Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas leak detection apparatuses require large sizes due to the need for flow sensors, valves, and tanks, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A compact gas leak detection apparatus that uses a gas supply valve, exhaust valve with an orifice, and pressure sensor to control gas flow and pressure changes, allowing for accurate pipe volume and leak detection without flowmeters or flow control valves, utilizing orifice-controlled exhaust and pressure threshold values to optimize measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gas leak detection apparatus are used with flow sensors, valves, and tanks, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but apparatus size becomes large and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes flow sensors, flow control valves, and tanks from the system. Instead of measuring flow directly, the invention extracts the measurement function to pressure changes only, using a pressure sensor to detect leak amounts by monitoring pressure differential over time in the pipe system
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor serves multiple functions: it measures both pipe volume and leak amount by analyzing pressure changes during different operational phases (pressurization and depressurization), replacing what would traditionally require separate flow measurement and volume calculation systems
Solution Approach 3:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from direct flow rate measurement to pressure change measurement over time. By monitoring how pressure evolves during controlled gas supply and exhaust phases, the system calculates both pipe volume and leak amounts without requiring flow sensors
2Measurement precision
If pipe volume is calculated using flow rate measurements and multiple components, then accurate leak detection can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes flow sensors, flow control valves, and tanks from the system. The invention achieves volume and leak measurement by analyzing pressure changes alone, eliminating the need for complex flow measurement infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
A single pressure sensor performs multiple measurement functions. By controlling gas supply and exhaust phases and analyzing pressure differential over time, the system determines both pipe volume and leak amounts, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized components
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 precise pipe volume and leak detection with reduced apparatus size, improving measurement accuracy and ease of leak site localization by minimizing errors in pipe volume and leak amount calculations.
Implementation Method 1
an orifice placed in the exhaust port to control an exhaust flow rate at a constant amount
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor placed on a downstream side of the exhaust valve to measure a pipe pressure that is an internal pressure of the pipe
Implementation Method 3
a gas supply valve to control supply of the gas; an exhaust valve placed on a downstream side of the gas supply valve to control exhaust of the gas from the exhaust port
Data Source
AI summary
In a gas leak detection apparatus, a sealing switching valve, a releasing switching valve, and a pressure sensor are placed in this order from an upstream side in a pipe, which are connected to a main unit. An orifice is provided at an exhaust port of the releasing switching valve. The main unit measures a pipe volume based on an in-sealing pressure drop amount and an in-releasing pressure drop amount, measured by switching a pipe state using the switching valves to a gas supply state, a pipe sealing state, and a pipe pressure releasing state, and a leak amount from the orifice, estimated based on pipe pressure. The main unit measures a leak amount based on the measured pipe volume and an in-detecting pressure drop amount measured by switching the pipe state using the switching valves to the gas supply state and the pipe sealing state.