US4243932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for checking sealed containers for pinholes by comparing two discharge currents
Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory Inc
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Filing: 1978-03-27
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Granted: 1981-01-06
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Expires: 1998-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of and a system for checking sealed containers for pinholes with contents enclosed therein by placing a sealed container between first and second electrodes, impressing voltage across the first electrode and second electrodes to generate two discharge current flows on the container and between the first electrode and second electrode respectively, detecting the discharge currents individually and converting the difference between the detected values to a detection signal value.
Inventors
- 👤 Michio Kakumoto
- 👤 Eizi Oe
- 👤 Hirosi Nakagawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
In a method for checking sealed containers of electrical insulating material for pinholes with conductive contents so enclosed therein as to permit no grounding by placing a sealed container between first electrode means and second electrode means, impressing AC voltage across the electrode means to generate discharge current on the container and detecting the discharge current, an improvement in which the second electrode means comprises two electrodes, and which method comprises impressing AC voltage so that the discharge current flows are generated between the first electrode means and one of the second electrodes and between the first electrode means and the other of the second electrodes respectively, wherein, with a container free of any pinhole, the two discharge current flows being generated as corona current flows, and wherein, with a container having a pinhole, one of the discharge current flows being generated as a spark discharge current flow corresponding to the pinhole; individually detecting the discharge current flows generated on the container and between the first electrode means and the second electrodes; and determining, based on the difference between the individually detected values, that with the detected differential value higher than a predetermined threshold value, the container has a pinhole or pinholes and that with the differential value lower than the threshold value, the container has no pinhole.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a method for checking sealed containers of electrical insulating material for pinholes with conductive contents so enclosed therein as to permit no grounding by placing a sealed container between first electrode means and second electrode means, impressing AC voltage across the electrode means to generate discharge current on the container and detecting the discharge current, an improvement in which the second electrode means comprises two electrodes, and which method comprises impressing AC voltage so that the discharge current flows are generated between the first electrode means and one of the second electrodes and between the first electrode means and the other of the second electrodes respectively, wherein, with a container free of any pinhole, the two discharge current flows being generated as corona current flows, and wherein, with a container having a pinhole, one of the discharge current flows being generated as a spark discharge current flow corresponding to the pinhole; individually detecting the discharge current flows generated on the container and between the first electrode means and the second electrodes; and determining, based on the difference between the individually detected values, that with the detected differential value higher than a predetermined threshold value, the container has a pinhole or pinholes and that with the differential value lower than the threshold value, the container has no pinhole.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
253 words
A system for checking sealed containers of electrical insulating material for pinholes with conductive contents so enclosed therein as to permit no grounding, said system comprising: a first electrode having at least one electrode element and two second electrodes each including at least one electrode element; first impedance means connected at its one terminal to one of the second electrodes; second impedance means connected at its one terminal to the other second electrodes; an AC power supply unit connected to the first electrode and to the other terminals of the first and second impedance means, the first and second impedance means and AC power supply unit being all adapted so that when a sealed container is placed between the first electrode and the two second electrodes, discharge current flows are generated between the first electrode and one of the second electrodes and between the first electrode and the other of the second electrodes respectively, and wherein, with a container free of any pinhole, the two discharge current flows being generated as corona discharge currents, and wherein, with a container having a pinhole, one of the discharge current flows being generated as a spark discharge current corresponding to the pinhole; and judging means for individually detecting the discharge current flows generated between the first electrode and one of the second electrodes and between the first electrode and the other of the second electrodes respectively, and judging whether the container has a pinhole or pinholes, or not based on the difference between the detected values.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
253 words
A system for checking sealed containers of electrical insulating material for pinholes with conductive contents so enclosed therein as to permit no grounding, said system comprising: a first electrode having at least one electrode element and two second electrodes each including at least one electrode element; first impedance means connected at its one terminal to one of the second electrodes; second impedance means connected at its one terminal to the other second electrodes; an AC power supply unit connected to the first electrode and to the other terminals of the first and second impedance means, the first and second impedance means and AC power supply unit being all adapted so that when a sealed container is placed between the first electrode and the two second electrodes, discharge current flows are generated between the first electrode and one of the second electrodes and between the first electrode and the other of the second electrodes respectively, and wherein, with a container free of any pinhole, the two discharge current flows being generated as corona discharge currents, and wherein, with a container having a pinhole, one of the discharge current flows being generated as a spark discharge current corresponding to the pinhole; and judging means for individually detecting the discharge current flows generated between the first electrode and one of the second electrodes and between the first electrode and the other of the second electrodes respectively, and judging whether the container has a pinhole or pinholes, or not based on the difference between the detected values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as defined in claim 2 wrein the A.C. power supply unit comprises an A.C. power supply, an oscillator for producing a desired alternating wave form from the output of the power supply and altering the frequency of the output, an amplifier for amplifying the output of the oscillator and a booster transformer for producing desired high voltage from the output of the amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system as defined in claim 2 or 3 wherein the judging means comprises a differential amplifier connected to the two second electrodes, a wave form converter circuit for taking out from the output of the amplifier only the wave forms higher than a preset level, an absolute value circuit for arranging the output waves of the converter circuit in the positive or negative direction and a voltage level detector connected to the absolute value circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A system as defined in claim 2 wherein the first electrode, the two second electrodes, the first and second impedance means and the power supply unit are so selected and arranged that the impedance of the closed circuit of the first electrode--the container--one of the second electrode--the first impedance means--the power supply unit--the first electrode is substantially equal to the impedance of the closed circuit of the first electrode--the container--the other second electrode--the second impedance means--the power supply unit--the first electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein the impedances of the first and second impedance means are equal to each other and are so small as to be negligible relative to the impedance of the capacitance C 1 between the first electrode and the contents of the container, to the impedances of the capacitances C 2 and C 3 between the two second electrodes and the contents and to the electric resistance R of the contents, the capacitances C 2 and C 3 being substantially equal to each other.
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) | 1984-01-06 | 1984-07-07 | 1985-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-06 | 1988-07-07 | 1989-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-06 | 1992-07-07 | 1993-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |