Shafer Valve Company

Crutcher Resources Corporation

Morris T Covington

Steven M Griffin

The occurrence and magnitude of a leak in a pipeline are determined by sensing a product velocity, pressure and temperature at an upstream point of flow of a product of known composition in said pipeline and sensing product velocity, pressure and temperature at a downstream point in said pipeline. The ambient temperature of the material surrounding said pipeline is sensed at spaced locations along said pipeline between said upstream and downstream points. The above parameters are employed to determine from four equations (conservation of mass, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, and the equation of state) a single valued function of time representative of the product imbalance of product flowing from said upstream point to said downstream point.

Liquid pipeline leak detection

Disclosed is an instrument wherein the pressure or flow of a fluid in a pipeline is monitored with a voltage proportional thereto being electronically differentiated to determine whether any rate of change of pressure exists, which is often indicative of a leak in the pipeline. If a rate of pressure change of a predetermined extent exists for a predetermined period of time and if a total pressure change exceeds a predetermined value, an output signal can close a valve in the pipeline or can sound an alarm. In addition, in situations where a liquid is involved, a surge develops upon a line break, that is, a large rate of instantaneous pressure drop, and such surge can also be detected and appropriate remedial measures taken. The instrument is also capable of shutting down the pipeline in instances of inordinately low or high pressure conditions.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Morris T Covington