Method for detecting and locating an electrolyte

Abstract

A method for monitoring for the presence of an electrolyte and for locating the electrolyte upon its presence uses a system comprising an electrically conductive locating member and an electrically conductive source member, between which an electrical connection is made upon the presence of the electrolyte. The locating member and/or the source member comprises (i) an electrode and (ii) an ion exchange material which is in electrical and physical contact with and substantially entirely surrounds all surfaces of the electrode; the ion exchange material having an ionic resistance which depends upon the concentration of a chemical species in the electrolyte. Upon the presence of the electrolyte, a connection to the locating member is made effective at a first point whose location is defined by the presence of the electrolyte. An electrochemical reaction takes place at that first point at interface of the ion exchange material and the electrode contacted thereby, generating an ionic species, substantially all the ionic species so generated passing through the ion exchange material. The making of the connection enables the formation of a test circuit which comprises (a) the connection, (b) that part of the locating member which lies between the first point and a second point on the locating member, and (c) a power source which causes a current of known size to be transmitted between the first and second points on the locating member. The current and locating member are such that, by measuring the voltage drop between the first and second points, the spatial relationship between the first and second points can be determined. By measuring the voltage drop between the first and second points associated with a change in the ionic resistance of the ion exchange material, the voltage location of the electrolyte can be determined.