Aqueous chemical leak detection cable

Abstract

Disclosed are aqueous chemical leak detection cables that provide protection to sensor wires by using a conductive polymer coating that is resistant to corrosion by aqueous chemicals. In addition, non-conductive, liquid pervious layers may surround one or more of the sensor wires to assist in preventing false detection of an aqueous chemical leak as a result of various non-liquid contaminants. The non-conductive, liquid pervious layer may comprise spirally wrapped or braided, non-hygroscopic, non-conductive monofilament fibers, or a continuous, non-conductive pervious coating.

1 . A method of making an aqueous chemical leak detection cable for sensing aqueous chemicals comprising:
 obtaining a base member that is made from a non-conductive polymer that is resistant to corrosion by said aqueous chemicals, said base member having two insulated lobes that are joined together to form two interstices on opposite sides of said base member, said base member having at least one conductor wire disposed in at least one lobe of said base member;   placing sensor cables in each of said two interstices that have a conductive polymer coating that is resistant to corrosion by said aqueous chemicals, said sensor cables having a sensor wire disposed in each of said sensor cables that is protected from said aqueous chemicals by said conductive polymer coating and at least one non-conductive, non-hygroscopic monofilament fiber that is wrapped in a spiral around an outer surface of at least one of said sensor cables that is adapted to allow aqueous chemical liquids to pass through interstitial openings between said at least one non-conductive, non-hygroscopic monofilament fiber while preventing non-liquid substances from contacting said conductive polymer coating on said sensor cables;   twisting said base member to alternately expose said sensor cables along a length of said aqueous chemical leak detection cable so that said aqueous chemical detection cable is capable of detecting the presence of said aqueous chemicals on a surface when said aqueous chemicals contact said sensor cables and create a conductive path between said sensor cables resulting in said conductive polymer coating on said sensor cables creating a conductive path to said sensor wires.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said process of obtaining a base member comprises:
 obtaining a base member having at least one conductive wire in each of said two lobes. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said process of obtaining a base member comprises:
 obtaining a base member having more than one conductive wire in each of said two lobes. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method of making an aqueous chemical leak detection cable for sensing aqueous chemicals comprising:
 obtaining a base member that is made from a non-conductive polymer that is resistant to corrosion by said aqueous chemicals, said base member having two insulated lobes that are joined together to form two interstices on opposite sides of said base member, said base member having at least one conductor wire disposed in at least one lobe of said base member;   placing sensor cables in each of said two interstices that have a conductive polymer coating that is resistant to corrosion by said aqueous chemicals, said sensor cables having a sensor wire disposed in each of said sensor cables that is protected from said aqueous chemicals by said conductive polymer coating and braided, non-conductive, non-hygroscopic monofilament fibers surrounding an outer surface of at least one of said sensor cables that is adapted to allow aqueous chemical liquids to pass through interstitial openings between said braided, non-conductive, non-hygroscopic monofilament fibers while preventing non-liquid substances from contacting said conductive polymer coating on said sensor cables;   twisting said base member to alternately expose said sensor cables along a length of said aqueous chemical leak detection cable so that said aqueous chemical detection cable is capable of detecting the presence of said aqueous chemicals on a surface when said aqueous chemicals contact said sensor cables and create a conductive path between said sensor cables resulting in said conductive polymer coating on said sensor cables creating a conductive path to said sensor wires.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said process of obtaining a base member comprises:
 obtaining a base member having at least one conductive wire in each of said two lobes. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said process of obtaining a base member comprises:
 obtaining a base member having more than one conductive wire in each of said two lobes.