US3762212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak testing apparatus and methods
Assignee: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES Inc
•
Filing: 1971-07-15
•
Granted: 1973-10-02
•
Expires: 1991-07-15
Abstract
Abstract Leak testing a device forming a chamber wherein the device is placed in a test chamber following which a differential pressure is established between the chamber of the device and the test chamber. A tracer gas is introduced to the higher pressure chamber and communication is established between the lower pressure chamber and detecting apparatus such as a mass spectrometer which is sensitive to the tracer medium so as to detect any leakage of the tracer medium from the higher pressure chamber to the lower pressure chamber. At the inlet to the detecting apparatus is established a pressure chamber as to provide laminar flow from the lower pressure chamber to the inlet to the detecting apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 J Morley
- 👤 P Forgash
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for testing for leakage a part forming a chamber, said apparatus comprising means forming a test chamber for the accommodation of said part; said first evacuation pump for establishing a predetermined sub-atmospheric pressure in one of said chambers and a pressure differential between said chambers; means for introducing a fluid tracer medium to the other of said chambers; a device for detecting said tracer medium and having an inlet; means for establishing communication between said one of said chambers and said inlet following the establishment of said predetermined pressure in said one of said chambers; a second evacuation pump; and conduit means extending between said second pump and said inlet, said second pump beinoperable to establish at said inlet a pressure sufficiently lower than the pressure in said one of said chambers to produce laminar flow from said one of said chambers to said inlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for testing for leakage a part forming a chamber, said apparatus comprising means forming a test chamber for the accommodation of said part; said first evacuation pump for establishing a predetermined sub-atmospheric pressure in one of said chambers and a pressure differential between said chambers; means for introducing a fluid tracer medium to the other of said chambers; a device for detecting said tracer medium and having an inlet; means for establishing communication between said one of said chambers and said inlet following the establishment of said predetermined pressure in said one of said chambers; a second evacuation pump; and conduit means extending between said second pump and said inlet, said second pump beinoperable to establish at said inlet a pressure sufficiently lower than the pressure in said one of said chambers to produce laminar flow from said one of said chambers to said inlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein the pressure maintained within said one chamber is between about 100 and about 10,000 microns or mercury.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein the pressure maintained at said inlet is between about 10 and about 50 microns of mercury.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein the pressure maintained in said one chamber is between about 100 and about 10, 000 microns of mercury and the pressure maintained at said inlet is between about 10 and about 50 microns of mercury.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said first pump has a greater capacity than said second pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said second evacuation pump is located downstream from said inlet a distance so selected with reference to the capacity of said second pump and the length and cross-sectional area of said conduit means that the pressure at said inlet is maintained between about 10 and about 50 microns of mercury.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for establishing communication between said one of said chambers and said inlet includes normally closed valves means and means operable in response to the establishment of said predetermined pressure in said one of said chambers to open said valve means.
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) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |