US3675468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak testing apparatus and method
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1970-11-25
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for conditioning devices such as electronic components for fine and gross leak testing, the apparatus comprising means for introducing a fluid under pressure to the devices whereby the fluid will be forced into the interiors of leaky devices, and means for thereafter removing the fluid, while reclaiming same, whereupon the devices may be tested by conventional sniffing or weighing methods to determine those which leak.
Inventors
- 👤 Vincent C Caccamesi
- 👤 Aaron C Der Marderosian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/22; G01M3/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for automatically preconditioning devices for subsequent leak detection comprising: a parts tank in which said devices may be placed; a storage tank having a quantity of liquid therein and connected by piping to said parts tank; a source of pressurized gas connected by piping to said storage tank and to said parts tank; first means for evacuating said parts tank and any devices therein; second means for controllably introducing liquid under pressure into the parts tank from the storage tank whereby the liquid will enter any leaky devices in the parts tank; third means for reducing the pressure on the liquid in the parts tank; fourth means for returning a portion of The liquid in the parts tank to the storage tank; and fifth means for controllably introducing gas under pressure into the parts tank whereby the liquid remaining in the parts tank is returned to the storage tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for automatically preconditioning devices for subsequent leak detection comprising: a parts tank in which said devices may be placed; a storage tank having a quantity of liquid therein and connected by piping to said parts tank; a source of pressurized gas connected by piping to said storage tank and to said parts tank; first means for evacuating said parts tank and any devices therein; second means for controllably introducing liquid under pressure into the parts tank from the storage tank whereby the liquid will enter any leaky devices in the parts tank; third means for reducing the pressure on the liquid in the parts tank; fourth means for returning a portion of The liquid in the parts tank to the storage tank; and fifth means for controllably introducing gas under pressure into the parts tank whereby the liquid remaining in the parts tank is returned to the storage tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first means includes a vacuum pump and said fourth means includes piping connected to the storage tank and extending to a predetermined level within the parts tank and all of said means include automatically operable valves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 and including an automatically operable progressive station programming means for sequentially operating said vacuum pump and said valves for evacuating the parts tank, filling the parts tank with liquid under pressure from the storage tank, reducing the pressure on the liquid in the parts tank after a predetermined interval of time, returning a portion of the liquid in the parts tank to the storage tank, and filling the parts tank with gas under pressure to drive the liquid remaining in the parts tank back toward the storage tank.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of preconditioning devices to be subsequently checked for leakage comprising the steps of placing the parts in a parts tank, sealing the tank and then automatically evacuating the tank, forcing liquid under pressure from a storage tank into the parts tank and into leaky devices therein, reducing pressure on the liquid in the parts tank, returning a portion of the liquid from the parts tank to the storage tank, removing the parts from the remaining portion of the liquid in the parts tank, and forcing gas under pressure into the parts tank to drive the remaining liquid therein back to the storage tank.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of preconditioning devices to be subsequently checked for leakage comprising the steps of placing the parts in a parts tank, sealing the tank and then automatically evacuating the tank, forcing liquid under pressure from a storage tank into the parts tank and into leaky devices therein, reducing pressure on the liquid in the parts tank, returning a portion of the liquid from the parts tank to the storage tank, removing the parts from the remaining portion of the liquid in the parts tank, and forcing gas under pressure into the parts tank to drive the remaining liquid therein back to the storage tank.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of preconditioning devices to be subsequently checked for leakage comprising the steps of placing the devices in a parts tank, sealing the tank, and then automatically evacuating the tank, filling the parts tank with liquid under pressure from a storage tank to force liquid into leaky devices in the parts tank, maintaining the devices under liquid pressure for a selected interval of time, then reducing the pressure on the liquid in the parts tank, returning a portion of the liquid in the parts tank to the storage tank while keeping the devices immersed in the liquid remaining in the parts tank, removing the devices from the parts tank, and filling the parts tank with gas under pressure to drive the remaining liquid in the parts tank back to the storage tank.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of preconditioning devices to be subsequently checked for leakage comprising the steps of placing the devices in a parts tank, sealing the tank, and then automatically evacuating the tank, filling the parts tank with liquid under pressure from a storage tank to force liquid into leaky devices in the parts tank, maintaining the devices under liquid pressure for a selected interval of time, then reducing the pressure on the liquid in the parts tank, returning a portion of the liquid in the parts tank to the storage tank while keeping the devices immersed in the liquid remaining in the parts tank, removing the devices from the parts tank, and filling the parts tank with gas under pressure to drive the remaining liquid in the parts tank back to the storage tank.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of preconditioning devices for subsequent leak testing comprising the steps of sealing the devices in a parts tank, and then utilizing an electrically connected progressive station programmer to operate automatically a vacuum pump and interconnected valves for evacuating the parts tank, supplying liquid under pressure from a storage tank to the parts tank and to the devices therein, and subsequently reducing the pressure on the liquid in the parts tank, returning a portion of the liquid in the parts tank to the storage tank, and after the devices have been removed from the parts tank supplying gas under pressure to the parts tank for driving the liquid remaining therein back to the storage tank.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of preconditioning devices for subsequent leak testing comprising the steps of sealing the devices in a parts tank, and then utilizing an electrically connected progressive station programmer to operate automatically a vacuum pump and interconnected valves for evacuating the parts tank, supplying liquid under pressure from a storage tank to the parts tank and to the devices therein, and subsequently reducing the pressure on the liquid in the parts tank, returning a portion of the liquid in the parts tank to the storage tank, and after the devices have been removed from the parts tank supplying gas under pressure to the parts tank for driving the liquid remaining therein back to the storage tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3403544A
Cited
US3455143A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |