US3792606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for enhancing detection of small leaks in articles
Assignee: Warner and Swasey Co
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Filing: 1972-04-17
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1992-04-17
Abstract
Abstract In testing apparatus used for high speed production line leak testing of container ends, bodies and the like, and of the type comprising means for applying pressurized fluid such as air to a surface of the article to be tested and detecting means such as a microphone positioned adjacent the article to respond to high frequency sound vibrations caused by passage of the pressurized fluid through leakage openings, there is provided an improved sound augmentation means and method capable of enhancing the detectibility of leakage openings in the tested articles. The sound augmentation means comprises a fine mesh screen or grid positioned out of contact with the article but closely adjacent and uniformly spaced from the surface thereof for intercepting the passage of the pressurized fluid through any leakage openings in the article. At least some of the energy of said leaking pressurized fluid is converted to a form to which said detecting means responds, thereby augmenting the detection of leakage vibrations by the detecting means. To detect leakage openings in typical applications, the screen is spaced from the surface of the article to be tested by a distance of e.g., about onesixteenth to one-eighth inches, and the screen is of fine mesh, e.g., 120 mesh screen made with stainless steel wire of 0.003 to 0.007 inches diameter.
Inventors
- 👤 D Munger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
In a test apparatus for determining leak tightness of articles such as container ends, bodies and the like and adapted to be used in a production line for enabling the testing of each and every article by providing a quick determination of any of the articles having microleakage openings, said apparatus comprising means for applying pressurized fluid to a surface of the article to be tested and high frequency vibration sensitive detecting means positioned to be responsive to high frequency vibrations in the fluid near to the article, the improvement which comprises: sound detection augmentation means positioned out of contact with said article but adjacent to the surface thereof for intercepting the passage of said pressurized fluid through any leakage openings in said article for converting at least a portion of the energy of the leaking fluid into high frequency fluid vibrations to which the detecting means is responsive, thereby augmenting the detection of leakage openings by said high frequency vibration sensitive detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a test apparatus for determining leak tightness of articles such as container ends, bodies and the like and adapted to be used in a production line for enabling the testing of each and every article by providing a quick determination of any of the articles having microleakage openings, said apparatus comprising means for applying pressurized fluid to a surface of the article to be tested and high frequency vibration sensitive detecting means positioned to be responsive to high frequency vibrations in the fluid near to the article, the improvement which comprises: sound detection augmentation means positioned out of contact with said article but adjacent to the surface thereof for intercepting the passage of said pressurized fluid through any leakage openings in said article for converting at least a portion of the energy of the leaking fluid into high frequency fluid vibrations to which the detecting means is responsive, thereby augmenting the detection of leakage openings by said high frequency vibration sensitive detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Test apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sound detection augmentation means comprises a perforate sheet member positioned substantially uniformly from said article''s surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Test apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sheet member is a screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A test apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said screen is spaced from said article''s surface a distance of approximately one-sixteenth inch to one-eighth inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Test apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said screen has openings comprising approximately half the surface area of said screen and wherein said screen has a mesh of at least 100.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
200 words
Test apparatus for determining the leak tightness of articles such as container ends, bodies and the like which comprises: a. walls forming a chamber, said chamber being adapted to be hermetically sealed and having a test opening therein; b. means for sealingly clamping an article to be tested in a position covering said test opening of said chamber, said article having one surface bounding said chamber and the opposite surface thereof on the exterior of said chamber; c. pressure means for applying a predetermined differential fluid pressure across said exterior surface of said article to be tested; d. high frequency vibration sensitive detecting means sensitive to frequencies above 20,000 cycles per second and within said chamber for detecting any high frequency vibrations within said chamber; and e. a sound detection augmentation element positioned between said article and said detecting means and adjacent to the surface of said article and comprising a sheet of material intercepting the passage of pressurized fluid through leakage openings and converting at least a portion of the energy of the leaking fluid into high frequency fluid vibrations to which the detecting means is responsive, thereby to augment the detection of leakage openings by said detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
200 words
Test apparatus for determining the leak tightness of articles such as container ends, bodies and the like which comprises: a. walls forming a chamber, said chamber being adapted to be hermetically sealed and having a test opening therein; b. means for sealingly clamping an article to be tested in a position covering said test opening of said chamber, said article having one surface bounding said chamber and the opposite surface thereof on the exterior of said chamber; c. pressure means for applying a predetermined differential fluid pressure across said exterior surface of said article to be tested; d. high frequency vibration sensitive detecting means sensitive to frequencies above 20,000 cycles per second and within said chamber for detecting any high frequency vibrations within said chamber; and e. a sound detection augmentation element positioned between said article and said detecting means and adjacent to the surface of said article and comprising a sheet of material intercepting the passage of pressurized fluid through leakage openings and converting at least a portion of the energy of the leaking fluid into high frequency fluid vibrations to which the detecting means is responsive, thereby to augment the detection of leakage openings by said detecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Test apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said sound detection augmentation element is a screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Test apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said screen is mounted in said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Test apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said screen is supported by a second screen of coarser mesh.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Test apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said screen for augmenting detection has openings comprising approximately half of the surface area of said screen, and is spaced approximately one-sixteenth to one-eighth inch from said article.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for determining the leak tightness of container ends, bodies and the like, comprising: a. positioning the article out of contact with but adjacent to a sheet of sound detection augmentation material for intercepting the passage of pressurized fluid through leakage openings in said article and for converting at least a portion of the eneRgy of the leaking fluid into fluid vibrations; b. applying a predetermined differential fluid pressure across said article to be tested, said pressure difference being arranged to cause fluid to flow through leaks to be intercepted by said sound detection augmentation material; and c. detecting the fluid vibrations produced by the passage of fluid through any leakage openings in the article and being intercepted by said sound detection augmentation material.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for determining the leak tightness of container ends, bodies and the like, comprising: a. positioning the article out of contact with but adjacent to a sheet of sound detection augmentation material for intercepting the passage of pressurized fluid through leakage openings in said article and for converting at least a portion of the eneRgy of the leaking fluid into fluid vibrations; b. applying a predetermined differential fluid pressure across said article to be tested, said pressure difference being arranged to cause fluid to flow through leaks to be intercepted by said sound detection augmentation material; and c. detecting the fluid vibrations produced by the passage of fluid through any leakage openings in the article and being intercepted by said sound detection augmentation material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said article is positioned at a distance of approximately one-sixteenth inch to one-eighth inch from said sound detection augmentation material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3266296A
Cited
US3399563A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |