Joint cover with manifold for duct leak detection system

摘要

A leak detector for an insulated duct carrying pressurized hot air comprises a cover secured over a circumferential cut in the insulation of the duct, or over a joint connecting duct sections, thereby creating a reservoir of hot air which has leaked from the duct or joint, a manifold block defining a conduit therein in communication with the hot air reservoir and a cap for securing heat sensitive wires to manifold at the end of the conduit such that the hot air from the hot air reservoir impinges directly on the heat sensitive wires. The leak detector includes flow control mechanisms in the body of the manifold block, to prevent false alarms arising from nominal leakage resulting from ordinary operation of the duct system.

主权项

1. A joint cover apparatus, for aircraft ducting systems that transport high temperature pressurized aircraft exhaust gases for re-use in various on-board functions, the apparatus being utilized to-cover a joint between abutting duct sections, wherein the ducting system is provided with a leak detection system using one or more temperature-responsive sensor wires, the joint cover apparatus comprising:
a split joint cover body having an annular shape, for covering a joint formed by the ends of abutting duct sections, said duct sections forming a first contained environment, and for collecting gases emanating from the joint between said abutting duct sections; said split joint cover body including an internal gas collection region defining a second contained environment, said split joint cover body being positionable circumferentially around the joint between said abutting duct sections, and having an aperture therethrough, to permit the passage of gases from said internal gas collection region to a third contained environment external to the split joint cover body, said leak detection system being positioned within said third contained environment; at least one adjustable clamp assembly releasably engaging the split joint cover body to bind the split joint cover body around the joint between said abutting duct sections to inhibit the leakage of said emanating gases from said joint without taping, said at least one adjustable clamp assembly facilitating the removal and replacement of said split joint cover body from the joint; said third contained environment including a manifold block, said manifold block being operably connected to the aperture of the split joint cover body, for receiving and redirecting said emanating gases, said manifold block maintaining the one or more sensor wires in fixed position, relative to the aperture in the split joint cover body, for redirecting gases from the second contained environment formed by the internal gas collection region into contact with the sensor wires positioned therewithin said third contained environment, the manifold block having one or more gas passages disposed therewithin to conduct gases through the block and into contact with the one or more temperature-responsive sensor wires; said manifold block further including a flow control valve operably positioned between the aperture and the one or more sensor wires to discriminate between acceptable and unacceptable leakage levels, by precluding the flow of gases through the one or more gas passages until said gases reach a pressure corresponding to a preselected numerical value.