US3597611A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting gas leaks using radioactive techniques
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1967-06-20
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1987-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A gas leak detector for use where a trace of radioactive gas is mixed with a functional gas, the leak rate of which is to be determined, and including means to cause the flow of a portion of an entrapped volume of leaked gas into the vicinity of a radiation detector in which radiation energy is converted into voltage pulses, and means to determine the count rate of change of the pulses in consecutive time periods and from which the leakage rate of the functional gas is determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall W Harman
- 👤 Roger J Rusch
- 👤 James F Wakeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 in which: said signals are voltage pulses produced from radiation energy detected in the form of light pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 2 in which: said radioactive gas is selected from the group comprising krypton-85 and argon-39.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 2 including: continuously mixing said entrapped leaked gas to maintain a representative mixture of the two leaked gases.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 including: supercooling said portion of leaked gas before the light pulses are produced.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for use in detecting the rate of leak of a functional gas from a sealed enclosure, comprising: a. adding a radioactive gas to the functional gas, the two gases having the same leakage characteristics; b. entrapping any gas leaked from the sealed enclosure in a container sealingly surrounding the enclosure; c. supercooling a portion of any gas leaked from said enclosure so as to seleCtively condense the radioisotope therein; d. passing said supercooled portion adjacent a radiation detector; e. producing radiation signals in said detector; and f. counting said signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for use in detecting the leak rate of a functional gas from a sealed enclosure, the enclosure having a mixture of a functional gas and a radioactive gas therein, comprising: a. entrapping means sealingly surrounding the enclosure for entrapping any gas leaked from the enclosure; b. a scintillator for analyzing a representative sample of the leaked gas mixture, said scintillator being designed to produce light pulses from the radioactive gas, said entrapping means being connected to said scintillator to permit gas flow thereto; c. means to provide a representative sample of the leaked gas mixture from said entrapping means through said scintillator; d. photomultiplier means adjacent said scintillator and positioned to receive light therefrom; e. means including said photomultiplier means to convert the light pulses to voltage pulses; and f. means to count said voltage pulses during consecutive time periods.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention according to claim 7 in which: a. said photomultiplier means are comprised of two photomultiplier tubes and said scintillator is of the capillary flow type, b. said means including said photomultiplier means include coincident circuitry connecting said tubes to said means to count said voltage pulses; and, c. means to cause said mixture to flow through said scintillator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |