US4877923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensors for detecting and locating liquid leaks
Assignee: W.L. Gore and Associates Inc
•
Filing: 1988-08-17
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Granted: 1989-10-31
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Expires: 2008-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A sensor cable for detecting and locating liquid chemicals, especially hydrocarbons, and/or water leaks without interruption of the system, wherein two or three conductors and appropriate insulation are arranged in a configuration that provides circuits for detecting and locating liquid chemicals and for detecting and locating liquid water.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack A. Sahakian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B7/00; H01B7/32; H01B7/322; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/16; G01M3/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A sensor cable for detecting liquid leakage which comprises: a first, second, and third electrical conductor, each in substantially parallel relation to each other, said first conductor being a core conductor, said second and third conductors having a fluid-permeable construction with permits passage of liquid chemicals, a first insulation layer located between the first and second conductors, said first insulation being porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, a second insulation layer adjacent to and covering said second conductor, said second insulation being porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, said second insulation being hydrophobic so that it is impermable to liquid water, a third insulation layer positioned between said second insulation layer and said third conductor, said third insulation layer being porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, and being water permeable, and a protective insulation cover that is porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals and water, said covering comprising the outer portion of the cable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A sensor cable for detecting liquid leakage which comprises: a first, second, and third electrical conductor, each in substantially parallel relation to each other, said first conductor being a core conductor, said second and third conductors having a fluid-permeable construction with permits passage of liquid chemicals, a first insulation layer located between the first and second conductors, said first insulation being porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, a second insulation layer adjacent to and covering said second conductor, said second insulation being porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, said second insulation being hydrophobic so that it is impermable to liquid water, a third insulation layer positioned between said second insulation layer and said third conductor, said third insulation layer being porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, and being water permeable, and a protective insulation cover that is porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals and water, said covering comprising the outer portion of the cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cable of claim 1 wherein the first conductor comprises conductive metal, and each of the second and third conductors comprises a braid containing electrically conductive metallic wires.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cable of claim 2 wherein the each braid is comprised of electrically conductive metallic wires braided with strands of a porous plastic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cable of claim 1 wherein the first and second insulation layers are comprised of a microporous plastic polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cable of claim 4 wherein the microporous plastic polymer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cable of claim 1 wherein the third insulation layer and the protective insulation cover comprise a thermoplastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cable of claim 6 wherein the thermoplastic material is polyester netting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The cable of claim 1 wherein: (a) the first conductor is a stranded or plated conductive metal, and each of the second and third conductors comprises a braid containing electrically conductive metallic wires; (b) the first and second insulation layers are comprised of a microporous plastic polymer; and (c) the third insulation layer and the protective insulation cover comprise a thermoplastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cable of claim 8 wherein: each braid is comprised of electrically conductive metallic wires braided with strands of a porous plastic material; the microporous plastic polymer is expanded to polytetrafluoroethylene; and the thermoplastic material is a polyester netting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
A sensor cable for detecting liquid leakage which comprises: a first and second electrical conductor each in substantially parallel relation to each other, said first conductor being a core conductor, said second conductor having a construction that is porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, a first insulation layer adjacent to said first conductor, said insulation being porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, said insulation being hydrophobic so that it is impermeable to liquid water, a second insulation layer positioned between said first insulation layer and said second conductor, said second insulation layer being water absorbent, and a protective insulation cover that is porous enough to permit passage of water, said cover comprising the outer portion of the cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
A sensor cable for detecting liquid leakage which comprises: a first and second electrical conductor each in substantially parallel relation to each other, said first conductor being a core conductor, said second conductor having a construction that is porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, a first insulation layer adjacent to said first conductor, said insulation being porous enough to permit passage of liquid chemicals, said insulation being hydrophobic so that it is impermeable to liquid water, a second insulation layer positioned between said first insulation layer and said second conductor, said second insulation layer being water absorbent, and a protective insulation cover that is porous enough to permit passage of water, said cover comprising the outer portion of the cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cable of claim 10 wherein the first conductor comprises conductive metal, and the second conductor comprises a braid containing electrically conductive metallic wires.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cable of claim 11 wherein the braid is comprised of electrically conductive metallic wires braided with strands of a porous plastic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cable of claim 10 wherein the first insulation layer is comprised of a microporous plastic polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cable of claim 13 wherein the microporous plastic polymer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-30 | 1993-05-01 | 1993-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-30 | 1997-05-01 | 1997-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-30 | 2001-05-01 | 2001-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |