Spray Device Tracer Gas Leak Detection Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current leak detection methods using tracer gas are imprecise and can lead to user error, gas wastage, and increased background noise, potentially missing leaks due to reliance on user perception and risk of clogging or incorrect gas projection.
Innovation Solution
A spray device with a duct, valve, and casing that includes a probe to measure tracer gas presence and an information device to provide feedback, ensuring reliable and clean operation, featuring sensors for flow rate or pressure, a comparator, and communication with a leak detector for continuous monitoring and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If user perception methods (feeling pressure, listening for flow, observing bubbles) are used to detect tracer gas, then the user can verify gas presence, but the detection precision and reliability are insufficient due to subjective perception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/sensory detection methods (feeling pressure, listening for flow) with electronic sensing technology. The probe contains sensors that objectively measure tracer gas presence, converting subjective human perception into precise electronic measurements that can be displayed and recorded reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring tracer gas presence and providing real-time information to the user through displays or alarms. This closed-loop system allows immediate verification of gas flow status, enabling the user to adjust operations to maintain optimal spraying conditions throughout the inspection process.
2Measurement precision
If the spray gun orifice is dipped into liquid to check for tracer gas, then bubble formation indicates gas presence, but the orifice may become clogged or fouled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the spray gun orifice itself. Instead of using the orifice for both spraying and detection (which causes clogging), a separate probe with dedicated sensors is used to detect tracer gas presence in the duct, separating the spraying function from the detection function.
3Reliability
If high concentrations of tracer gas are released to ensure detection, then gas presence is verified, but background noise increases and reduces inspection quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from continuous monitoring to optimize tracer gas usage. The system detects the minimum sufficient gas concentration needed for reliable leak detection and maintains this level, preventing excessive gas release that would create background noise, while ensuring adequate gas presence for detection reliability.
4Ease of operation
If no continuous monitoring is implemented, then the device is simpler to operate, but the operator may miss leaks due to incorrect belief that gas is still spraying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback monitoring that continuously tracks tracer gas presence and provides real-time status information to the operator. This eliminates the need for manual verification while maintaining operational simplicity, ensuring the operator always knows whether gas is actively spraying to prevent missed leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by automatically monitoring its own operation status through integrated sensors and displays. The spray device monitors its own gas flow and provides feedback without requiring external verification, ensuring reliable operation while maintaining ease of use.
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 reliable, efficient, and precise leak detection by ensuring tracer gas is consistently present and accurately measured, reducing user error and background noise, while maintaining clean operation and continuous monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
the probe comprising a flow rate sensor
Implementation Method 2
the probe comprising a flow rate sensor or a pressure sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A spray device for detecting leaks is provided, including: a duct including an inlet configured to be connected to a tracer gas source, and an outlet; a valve interposed between the inlet and the outlet; a casing receiving the duct and the valve; at least one probe arranged in the duct, the at least one probe being configured to measure a parameter revealing a presence of the tracer gas in the duct; and at least one information device borne by the casing, configured to provide information on the presence of tracer gas in the duct in relation to a measurement performed by the at least one probe.