Ultrasonic Detector

(formerly marketed as the

Ultraphonic Detector)

Building Maintenance, Hospitals, Public Utilities, Power Substations

The Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) may be used to locate building operating system maintenance problems during routine checks. It reduces the load on maintenance personnel by finding problems that are small, thus avoiding costly system breakdowns at a later date.

Steam Systems:

The Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) will pay for itself in a few months by finding the single leak of 1/16th inch in a 100 PSI steam system. Such a leak may cost more than $1,700.00 a year in steam generation costs. It is simple to use the Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) to locate the source of high or low pressure steam leaks. The leak is found by moving the receiver in a wide arc. The receiver picks up the leak and allows the operator to quickly isolate its location via headphone tone and visual meter reading.

Steam Traps:

Steam traps block steam vapor and pass condensate. If the trap sticks open, you have an expensive waste of steam. If it sticks closed, the heating element or power device receives no steam so is non-functional. Experienced maintenance personnel are familiar with the characteristic sound difference between the passage of steam or the passage of condensate. These differences are faithfully reproduced by the Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector). If there is a sound all the time, the trap is stuck open, and if there is no sound, the trap is stuck closed. Conventional methods for finding steam trap malfunctions included listening for the sound of passing steam with a screwdriver and using hot melt crayons on the upstreams of a trap. The Ultrasonic Detector eliminates the mess and uncertainty of these outdated methods. Another class of trap, the modulating trap, is more difficult to monitor because there is a constant flow, even in a good trap. If there is no sound, the trap is clearly bad - stuck closed. The best way to verify that the trap is not stuck open is to use the receiver on a known good trap of the same type. Adjust the volume control for 1/2 scale on the meter, then test the trap in question. A reading of 3/4 on the scale or more indicates a strong possibility that the trap is stuck open. A lot can be learned from the characteristic sound pattern of a good and a faulty trap - readily evident to the user with experience.

Steam Condensers:

Water jackets should be drained so as to have access to the ends of the condenser tubes. Next, the steam side of the condenser is isolated and pressurized with air to between 2 and 4 PSI. This can usually be accomplished using existing air supplies. Leaks are then found by using the Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) to scan the tube ends.

Elevators and Escalators:

This equipment is often hydraulically operated. The Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) will quickly spot valve malfunctions and internal system oil leaks. It also checks bearings for condition and proper lubrication.

Vacuum Condensers:

Air leaking into a large vacuum condenser of turbo generators can greatly increase costs. These leaks are almost impossible to find by expensive conventional methods. Since the Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) is sensitive to the acoustic energy generated by a vacuum leak, it can readily find leaks at the turbine shaft seals and the condenser expansion flange, among other areas.

Compressed Gas, Freon, Air and Natural Gas Plumbing:

Many buildings have systems involving compressed air, oxygen and natural gas, often with secondary systems. The Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) will find leaks in such systems without closing the system in question down or inconveniencing a tenant. A scan along the system will quickly find the leak. It has a wide range of air conditioning system applications.

Humidity Control:

Live steam is often discharged into a forced air heating duct to maintain proper humidity levels. The Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) can easily determine if a discharge nozzle is working properly.

Electrical Systems:

Any system involving high voltages, as in a large building or power sub-station, is subject to corona discharge problems. These waste expensive power and interfere with radio, TV and telephone equipment. The hand held detector may be used to rapidly and safely locate the exact point of trouble, to include the arcing from motor slip rings and brushes. Similarly, transformers and solenoid valves can be easily diagnosed.

Weather Stripping:

Deteriorated weather stripping, seals and insulation can greatly increase the cost of heating and air conditioning. To check such a condition, place the transmitter in a room suspected of having leaks to the outdoors. It will saturate the room with the ultrasonic sound without disturbing the occupants. The Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) is used outside to rapidly spot points of sound and air leakage. This method is particularly effective around most doors and windows.

Hospitals and Ethylene Oxide:

Ethylene oxide is widely used in hospitals as a sterilant for instruments and equipment. This gas is an irritant and a carcinogen. Some extreme precautions must be taken for its safe storage and in maintaining constant gas-proof seals in sterilization chamber doors and in gas cylinder plumbing and valving. Regular, daily use of the Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) to check chamber door seals, piping and valving will verify the operational condition of these components. In one instance, the Ultrasonic Detector (formerly marketed as the Ultraphonic Detector) found a leak created by a single hair caught on a door gasket. It is very useful in the maintenance of hospital oxygen supply systems as well.