Leak detection apparatus for a liquid circulation cooling system

Abstract

A leak detection apparatus includes one or more detection devices that envelope the various pipe joints of a liquid circulation cooling system. In one approach, the detection devices include a pair of conductors separated by a wicking material impregnated with a crystalline salt that provides a low resistance electrical path between the conductors in the presence of a leak. In another approach, the detection devices include a pair of dissimilar metal mesh electrodes separated by an electrolyte-impregnated wicking material to form a water-activated battery that energizes an alarm in the presence of a leak. In either case, the electrodes and wicking material may be encased with a water-activated sealing material that hardens in the presence of a leak to contain the leakage.

1 . Leak detection apparatus for a liquid cooling system having coolant pipes and at least one pipe joint, comprising: 
 a wicking material applied to an exterior periphery of said pipe;    an electrical detector including first and second spaced electrodes formed of different metals and disposed on said wicking material;    a crystalline electrolyte activating agent impregnated into said wicking material that is operative when leaked coolant soaks into said wicking material for forming a coolant activated battery that produces an electrical voltage and current flow between said first and second electrodes when coolant leaks into said wicking material;    circuitry coupled to said electrical detector for indicating the presence of a coolant leak when said electrical voltage and current flow are produced; and    a superincumbent layer of material surrounding said electrical detector and wicking material that is operative on contact with said leaked coolant for hardening to form a seal that contains said leaked coolant;    wherein said coolant is water, and said superincumbent layer comprising at least one of hydrophobic polyurethane form or resin, epoxy resin, sodium-polyacrylate gel, and simple plaster-of-paris.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . Leak detection apparatus for a liquid cooling system having coolant pipes and at least one pipe joint, comprising: 
 a wicking material applied to an exterior periphery of said pipe;    an electrical detector including first and second spaced electrodes disposed on said wicking material, said first and second electrodes being in the form of plates oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said coolant pipe, with a portion of said wicking material being disposed between said first and second electrodes;    an activating agent impregnated into said wicking material that is operative when leaked coolant soaks into said wicking material for altering an electrical parameter of said electrical detector;    circuitry coupled to said electrical detector for indicating the presence of a coolant leak in response to said altering of said electrical parameter; and    a dye material impregnated into said wicking material that is operative when leaked coolant soaks into said wicking material for dying said wicking material or provide a visual indicator of the leaked coolant.    
   
   
       5 . The leak detection apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an upper and lower strip of porous fabric covering said first and second spaced electrodes to protect and insulate said first and second spaced electrodes from said pipe.