| 摘要 |
Leaks are detected by wrapping a vessel such as a pipe (10) or tank (28) in a skin (14, 14A, 30) which traps escaping fluid (12) at least long enough to direct it, in the vicinity of the leak, towards a sensor line (16) employing fibre optics to detect the fact of a leak and to detect how far along the a fibre optic line the leak exists. The skin (14, 14A, 30) can be longitudinally applied or wrapped onto the vessel (10, 28). Bindings (24) can be used to attach the skin (14, 14A, 30) to the outside of the vessel (10, 28). Sensor line (16) couplings (26) can be employed between lengths of pipe (10) to create monitored sections of pipe (10) which can be joined together. Sensor lines (16) can be applied to the outer surface of a vessel (10, 28) and covered with the skin (14, 14A, 30). Sensor lines (16) can be stuck or woven into the skin (14, 14A, 30) incorporates elastic ridges (18, 18A, 18C) which face the vessel and direct escaping fluid towards the sensor line (16). A control system (46, 40, 48, 44) is provided to shut down a tank (28) or pipeline (36, 38), at least in the vicinity of a leak, if a leak is detected, and can include shutting down pumps (40), closing valves, and voiding items (10, 28) subject to the leak. |
