US3914983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak test machine and method of operation
Assignee: Ulvac Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-19
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for continuous testing of a structure for leak-tightness to gas in which the structure to be tested is placed into a closed chamber such as a belljar and the interior of the chamber and the interior of the structure to be tested are evacuated. A probe gas is then introduced into the interior of the chamber on one side of the structure to be tested. Any gas which leaks through the structure to the other side thereof is conveyed through a conduit to a detector. After the detector has had an opportunity to detect the presence of any leaked gas, the conduit is purged of any leaked gas therein before testing for leak-tightness of a subsequent structure, and also the interior of the chamber and the interior of the structure are evacuated for removal of the probe gas and then subjected to atmospheric pressure in preparation for testing a subsequent structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Ichiro Umezu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/202; G01M3/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A leak test machine comprising a belljar containing a structure whose leak-tightness to gas is to be investigated, means for evacuating the interior of the belljar with said structure to be tested therein, means for supplying a probe gas within the belljar on one side of the structure to be tested, means for collecting any gas which is leaked through the structure to the other side thereof, detecting means for indicating the presence of leaked gas on said other side of the structure, conduit means for conveying the leaked gas to the detecting means, a probe gas evacuation system for evacuating probe gas from the interior of the belljar and sweep evacuation means coupled to said conduit means for purging the interior of the conduit means by sweep evacuation after an operation of the detecting means and prior to the next operation thereof, said sweep evacuation means being operative conjointly with the probe gas evacuation system whereby any probe gas in the conduit means is withdrawn by the sweep evacuation means while the belljar is being evacuated by the probe gas evacuation system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A leak test machine comprising a belljar containing a structure whose leak-tightness to gas is to be investigated, means for evacuating the interior of the belljar with said structure to be tested therein, means for supplying a probe gas within the belljar on one side of the structure to be tested, means for collecting any gas which is leaked through the structure to the other side thereof, detecting means for indicating the presence of leaked gas on said other side of the structure, conduit means for conveying the leaked gas to the detecting means, a probe gas evacuation system for evacuating probe gas from the interior of the belljar and sweep evacuation means coupled to said conduit means for purging the interior of the conduit means by sweep evacuation after an operation of the detecting means and prior to the next operation thereof, said sweep evacuation means being operative conjointly with the probe gas evacuation system whereby any probe gas in the conduit means is withdrawn by the sweep evacuation means while the belljar is being evacuated by the probe gas evacuation system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for successively testing the leak-tightness of a plurality of structures, said sweep evacuation means and the probe gas evacuation system being operative in the interim between the testing of successive structures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for successively testing the leak-tightness of a plurality of structures comprises a plurality of belljars containing respecTive structures to be tested, each belljar being respectively supplied with probe gas and having a respective means for collecting any gas leaked through the associated structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3 comprising a fixed structure to which are connected the evacuating means, the probe gas supply means, the leak gas collecting means, the probe gas evacuation system and said conduit means, and a fixed table on which said belljars are mounted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sweep evacuation means and said detecting means are connected in parallel to said conduit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine as claimed in claim 5 comprising a valve means controlling communication of the sweep evacuation means and the conduit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for synchronizing the operation of said evacuating means, said probe gas supply means, said collecting means, said detecting means, said probe gas evacuation system, and said sweep evacuating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein the synchronizing means comprises a rotatable structure, actuators, switch means operated by said actuators in accordance with the rotation of said structure, and valve means coupled to said switch means for being operated thereby to control the sequence of operation of said evacuating means, said probe gas supply means, said collecting means, said detecting means, said probe gas evacuation system and said sweep evacuating means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of testing a structure for leak-tightness to gas, said method comprising introducing the structure to be tested into a closed chamber, evacuating the interior of the chamber and the interior of the structure to be tested, supplying a probe gas into the interior of the chamber on one side of the structure to be tested, conveying any gas which leaks through the structure to the other side thereof, through a conduit to a detector, and purging the conduit of any leaked gas therein before testing for leak-tightness of a subsequent structure by simultaneously evacuating said conduit while concurrently removing probe gas from the interior of the chamber and from the interior of the structure being tested via any leaks therein for the testing of a subsequent structure.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of testing a structure for leak-tightness to gas, said method comprising introducing the structure to be tested into a closed chamber, evacuating the interior of the chamber and the interior of the structure to be tested, supplying a probe gas into the interior of the chamber on one side of the structure to be tested, conveying any gas which leaks through the structure to the other side thereof, through a conduit to a detector, and purging the conduit of any leaked gas therein before testing for leak-tightness of a subsequent structure by simultaneously evacuating said conduit while concurrently removing probe gas from the interior of the chamber and from the interior of the structure being tested via any leaks therein for the testing of a subsequent structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in claim 9 comprising effecting the leak-tightness testing of a plurality of structures in successively time-phased relation, and effecting the evacuation of the conduit with concurrent evacuation of the interior of the chamber and the interior of the structure being tested in an interim between testing of successive structures.
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) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |