Element and method for detecting leakage of petroleum products

Bibliographic Details
Title: Element and method for detecting leakage of petroleum products
Patent Number: 3,970,863
Publication Date: July 20, 1976
Appl. No: 05/532,600
Application Filed: December 13, 1974
Abstract: A styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer containing 50 to 70% by weight of butadiene can be used as a base material of an element capable of detecting leakage of petroleum products by detecting to the change in an electrical signal. By use of this detecting element any leakage of petroleum products from a transportation pipe line may be detected and located quickly and precisely.
Inventors: Kishikawa, Hiroshi (Toyonaka, JA); Adachi, Takayoshi (Nishinomiya, JA); Usami, Tamio (Kokubunji, JA)
Assignees: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited (Osaka, JA), Japanese National Railways (Tokyo, JA)
Claim: What is claimed is
Claim: 1. An element for detecting and locating leakage of petroleum product by detecting the change in an electric signal, which element comprises a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer of a butadiene content of 50 to 70% by weight and an electroconductive metal.
Claim: 2. An element according to claim 1, wherein the electroconductive metal is gold, silver, copper, or aluminum.
Claim: 3. An element according to claim 1, which is in the form of wire, ribbon, rod, sheet, or block.
Claim: 4. An element according to claim 1, wherein the petroleum product is gasoline, kerosene, or light oil.
Claim: 5. An element for detecting and locating leakage of petroleum product by detecting the change in an electric signal, which element is composed of a shaped article comprising a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer of a butadiene content of 50 to 70% by weight and an electroconductive metallic layer vacuum-deposited on the surface of the shaped article.
Claim: 6. An element for detecting and locating leakage of petroleum product by detecting the change in an electric signal, which element is composed of a shaped article comprising a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer of a butadiene content of 50 to 70% by weight and an electroconductive metal foil adhered to the surface of the shaped article.
Claim: 7. An element for detecting and locating leakage of petroleum product by detecting the change in an electric signal, which element is composed of a shaped article comprising a mixture of the styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer of a butadiene content of 50 to 70% by weight and an electroconductive powdered metal.
Claim: 8. An element for detecting and locating leakage of petroleum product by detecting the change in an electric signal, which element is composed of a base material comprising the styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer of a butadiene content of 50 to 70% by weight and an electroconductive layer comprising the styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer of a butadiene content of 50 to 70% by weight and an electroconductive powdered metal.
Claim: 9. An element for detecting and locating leakage of petroleum product by detecting the change in an electric signal, which element is composed of a nonelectroconductive base material and an electroconductive layer comprising the styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer of a butadiene content of 50 to 70% by weight and an electroconductive powdered metal.
Claim: 10. A method for detecting and locating leakage of petroleum products from a carrier, comprising
Claim: sending an electric signal through a detecting means comprised of a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer of a butadiene content of 50 to 70% by weight and an electroconductive metal which is adjacent to said carrier, and
Claim: sensing change in said electric signal caused by a change of volume of said detecting means when contacted with said petroleum products.
Current U.S. Class: 307/116; 340/242; 200/6108
Current International Class: H01H 3500
Patent References Cited: 2386412 October 1945 Wakefield
2432367 December 1947 Andresen
2691134 October 1954 Ford
3427414 February 1969 Sheldahl
3470340 September 1969 Hakka
3564526 February 1971 Butts
3720797 March 1973 Gunn
Primary Examiner: Schaefer, Robert K.
Assistant Examiner: Ginsburg, M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher
Accession Number: edspgr.03970863
Database: USPTO Patent Grants
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Language:English