Fluidic on-line system tester

Claim 2

A pressure testing apparatus for a fluidic element in a system comprising: a self-sealing valve mounted at a test location in the system; a test probe removably coupled in sealed relationship with said valve, said test probe including a capillary tube having a first end penetrating the seal of said valve so that the system pressure is transmitted through said tube; said test probe further comprising a handle having retractably means for receiving said capillary tube; means within said handle and coupled to the other end of said tube, for converting the system pressure therein to a discernable indication of the relative magnitude thereof; wherein said converting means includes a plurality of pressure sensitive switches mounted in stacked relation within said tesT probe handle and each responsive to the system pressure transmitted through said tube and having its state of conduction controlled by a unique predetermined threshold value of the system pressure acting on said respective pressure sensitive switch said converting means also including indicating means, coupled to said output contacts of said switches, for indicating when the system exceeds the respective threshold values.

Claim 3

The pressure testing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said probe includes means for sealing said probe with said valve while the first end of said tube penetrates the self-seal of said valve so that leakage of fluid from the system is minimized.

Claim 4

The pressure testing apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said sealing means of said probe includes an O-ring, said tube having an annular depression a predetermined distance from the first end to retain said O-ring thereon, said O-ring sealing said tube with said valve when coupled together.

Claim 5

The pressure testing apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said valve includes a projecting element having a passageway therein for receiving the first end of said tube with said O-ring, said valve also including a check-ball and spring means for biasing said check-ball against the interior of said projecting element to seal the passageway, said check-ball deflecting under the force of the first end of said tube when said test probe is coupled with said valve so that the system pressure is transmitted through said tube to said converting means.

Claim 6

The pressure testing apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said tube is formed with the first end having a notch therein, the notch being limited in longitudinal extent to the predetermined distance to the annular depression therein for said O-ring.

Claim 7

The pressure testing apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said valve is in a manifold associated with the fluidic system.

Claim 8

The pressure testing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pressure sensitive switches mounted within said handle in stacked relation are in communication with a common pressure line.

Claim 9

A pressure testing apparatus for a fluidic element in a system comprising: a self-sealing valve mounted at a test location in the system; a test probe removably coupled in sealed relationship with said valve, said test probe including a capillary tube having a first end penetrating the seal of said valve so that the system pressure is transmitted through said tube; means, coupled to the other end of said tube, for converting the system pressure therein to a discernible indication of the relative magnitude thereof; wherein said probe includes means for sealing said probe with said valve while the first end of said tube penetrates the self-seal of said valve so that leakage of fluid from the system is minimized; wherein said sealing means of said probe includes an O-ring, said tube having an annular depression a predetermined distance from the first end to retain said O-ring thereon, said O-ring sealing said tube with said valve when coupled together; wherein said valve includes a projecting element having a passageway therein for receiving the first end of said tube with said O-ring, said valve also including a check-ball and spring means for biasing said check-ball against the interior of said projecting element to seal the passageway, said check-ball deflecting under the force of the first end of said tube when said test probe is coupled with said valve so that the system pressure is transmitted through said tube to said converting means; wherein said probe further includes a first hollow elongated member having a first open end and a second end, said tube being concentrically fixed within said first hollow member with the first end of said tube emerging therefrom; a second hollow elongated member having an interior cross-sectional shape conforming to the exterior cross-sectional shape oF the second end of said first hollow member, said first hollow member being slidably positioned in said second hollow member so that the first end of said first hollow member protrudes from said second hollow member; spring means for biasing said first hollow member relative to said second hollow member; and, stop means for limiting the sliding travel of said hollow members relative to each other when the first end of said tube has deflected the check-ball a predetermined amount when said probe has been coupled with said fitting.

Claim 10

A pressure testing apparatus for a fluidic element in a system comprising: a self-sealing valve mounted at a test location in the system; a test probe removably coupled in sealed relationship with said valve, said test probe including a capillary tube having a first end penetrating the seal of said valve so that the system pressure is transmitted through said tube; means, coupled to the other end of said tube, for converting the system pressure therein to a discernible indication of the relative magnitude thereof; wherein said probe includes means for sealing said probe with said valve while the first end of said tube penetrates the self-seal of said valve so that leakage of fluid from the system is minimized; wherein said sealing means of said probe includes an O-ring, said tube having an annular depression a predetermined distance from the first end to retain said O-ring thereon, said O-ring sealing said tube with said valve when coupled together; wherein said valve includes a projecting element having a passageway therein for receiving the first end of said tube with said O-ring, said valve also including a check-ball and spring means for biasing said check-ball against the interior of said projecting element to seal the passageway, said check-ball deflecting under the force of the first end of said tube when said test probe is coupled with said valve so that the system pressure is transmitted through said tube to said converting means; wherein said probe further includes a first hollow elongated member having a first open end and a second end, said tube being concentrically fixed within said first hollow member with the first end of said tube emerging therefrom; a second hollow elongated member having an interior cross-sectional shape conforming to the exterior cross-sectional shape oF the second end of said first hollow member, said first hollow member being slidably positioned in said second hollow member so that the first end of said first hollow member protrudes from said second hollow member; spring means for biasing said first hollow member relative to said second hollow member; and, stop means for limiting the sliding travel of said hollow members relative to each other when the first end of said tube has deflected the check-ball a predetermined amount when said probe has been coupled with said fitting.