Joseph J Maresca

US Patent:

20020120411, Aug 29, 2002

Filed:

May 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/847944

Inventors:

Michael Fierro - Sunnyvale CA, US
Joseph Maresca - Sunnyvale CA, US

International Classification:

G01L007/00

US Classification:

702/051000

Abstract:

A method of detecting a leak in a pipeline system, wherein a measurement is performed to determine the difference in the rate of change of pressure due to a leak between one pressure level and at least one other pressure level, after compensation has been made for thermally induced changes in the pressure in a pressurized pipeline system, including the steps of pressurizing the pipeline system to a first pressure level, and measuring the changes in pressure in the pipeline system that occur over a first measurement period; and pressurizing the pipeline system to at least a second pressure level, and measuring the changes in pressure in the pipeline system that occur over at least a second measurement period. A computation is then performed of the difference in the temperature compensated rate of change of pressure between one pressure level and at least one other pressure level from the measured pressure data at the pressure levels, including a correction for the thermally induced non-linear changes of pressure rate of change of pressure between the pressure levels is computed from the rate of change of pressure measured during the measurement periods (first derivative of the pressure data or rate of change of pressure) and higher order derivatives of the pressure data.

US Patent:

20060248941, Nov 9, 2006

Filed:

Oct 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/960653

Inventors:

Joseph Maresca - Sunnyvale CA, US
Wesley Bratton - Richland WA, US

International Classification:

G01N 7/00

US Classification:

073023200

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for detecting, locating, and quantifying explosive materials and devices, and naturally occurring and man-made dangerous or hazardous biological and chemical materials and devices in ducts or piping systems, or other fluid flow systems in buildings such as residential, office, industrial, and power plants, transportation systems such as ships, airplanes, subways, and trains, and various types of infrastructure such as dams, tunnels, or bridges, and in the rooms, compartments, enclosures, containers, or difficult to access areas in these buildings, transportation systems, and structures. The preferred embodiment of this detection and location method uses a conservative tracer and one or more interactive tracers that are injected into the duct or area to be searched at one location and then monitored at the same or another location in the duct or area. Alternative embodiments, which are quicker and just as accurate for detection and location, require only the use of interactive tracers. Detection, location, and quantification are accomplished by analysis of the characteristic features of measured curves of tracer concentration. Various types of interactive tracers may be used, including partitioning and reactive tracer gaseous tracers.

US Patent:

20070051165, Mar 8, 2007

Filed:

Oct 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/960407

Inventors:

Joseph Maresca - Sunnyvale CA, US
Wesley Bratton - Richland WA, US

International Classification:

G01M 3/08
G01M 3/04

US Classification:

07304050R, 073040700

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for finding the location of one or more holes in a fluid flow system such as pipe, duct, or conduit using one or more tracers that interact with or can be chemically or physically differentiated from those of the liquid or gas contents located outside the system and pulled back into the system when the system is placed under a vacuum. The preferred embodiment of this detection and location method uses one or more interactive tracers that are injected into a pipe or duct that may be leaking at one location and then monitor the concentration of these tracers at the same or another location in the pipe or duct. Detection and location are accomplished by analysis of the characteristic features of measured curves of tracer concentration. Various types of interactive tracers may be used, including partitioning and reactive tracer gaseous tracers.

US Patent:

52283399, Jul 20, 1993

Filed:

Apr 28, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/877260

Inventors:

Joseph W. Maresca - Sunnyvale CA
James W. Starr - Bound Brook NJ
Christopher P. Wilson - La Honda CA

International Classification:

G01F 2328

US Classification:

73290V

Abstract:

An apparatus for measuring liquid levels and leak rates in a storage tank, using an acoustic transducer and a quasi-static reference device that positions an acoustic target within a predetermined distance range below the surface of the liquid.

US Patent:

51899043, Mar 2, 1993

Filed:

Jan 3, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/816800

Inventors:

Joseph W. Maresca - Sunnyvale CA
James W. Starr - Bound Brook NJ
Christopher P. Wilson - La Honda CA

Assignee:

Vista Research, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01M 326

US Classification:

73 405R

Abstract:

The piston displacement apparatus and method for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines disclosed herein measures volume changes at different pressures to determine thermally compensated leak rates. The apparatus uses a piston displacement apparatus to precisely determine volume changes.

US Patent:

54150337, May 16, 1995

Filed:

Dec 17, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/170092

Inventors:

Joseph W. Maresca - Sunnyvale CA
James W. Starr - Bound Brook NJ
Christopher Wilson - La Honda CA
Richard F. Wise - Manville NJ

Assignee:

Vista Research, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01M 328

US Classification:

73 405R

Abstract:

An apparatus for detection of leaks in pressurized pipelines which utilizes a large pressure vessel and a small measurement vessel. The measurement vessel magnifies level changes during leak detection tests. The apparatus is connected to a pipeline through the measurement vessel. The entire system can be filled with liquid from the pipeline by opening a valve between the measurement and pressure vessels. Leak detection tests are conducted by measuring changes in volume with the measurement vessel over time while the pressure over the liquid in the pressure vessel and measurement vessel is maintained approximately constant. During tests, liquid communication between the measurement vessel and pressure vessel is prevented by closing the valve between them, but vapor communication between the vessels is permitted.

US Patent:

59489693, Sep 7, 1999

Filed:

Oct 20, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/954002

Inventors:

Michael R. Fierro - Mountain View CA
Joseph W. Maresca - Mountain View CA
James W. Starr - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Vista Research, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01M 304
G01M 308

US Classification:

73 405R

Abstract:

A method and improved apparatus for detecting leaks in pressurized pipeline systems, which compensate for the thermally induced volume changes of the liquid in the line during a test that are produced by both the nonlinear changes in the mean temperature of the liquid and the pressure-induced perturbations of the temperature of the liquid.

US Patent:

46465600, Mar 3, 1987

Filed:

Feb 21, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/832268

Inventors:

Joseph W. Maresca - Sunnyvale CA
Christopher P. Wilson - La Honda CA

Assignee:

Vista Research, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01M 326

US Classification:

73 492

Abstract:

A tube vertically disposed in a liquid storage tank, in which the tube has a cross-sectional area which changes with height in proportion to the variation in the tank's cross-sectional area. The tube is filled through an open valve near the bottom of the tube and the valve is closed for the remainder of the test. Other valves above the liquid level are kept open to maintain equal vapor pressures in the tank and the tube. A first sensor measures the fluid level in the tank, while a second sensor measures the differences in fluid levels between tank and tube over a period of time. Ambient height changes are identical for liquid in both tank and tube, whereas leak related height changes occur only in the tank. A second identical tube may be provided when levels are affected by the tube or sensor, or when the tube is required to hold the sensor and is open to the tank.