US4364261A — Multi-media leak test apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 407 words

Apparatus for detecting and measuring leakage in closed systems, comprising: pressure regulating means for adjusting a gas input to the apparatus to a predetermined pressure; means for directing the pressurized gas to one of at least two different test sections of said leakage testing apparatus; said at least two different test sections including at least a gas test section and a water test section; said gas test section being comprised of: a gas section manifold for receiving pressurized gas directed thereto; said gas section manifold having a plurality of channels located therein for the pressurized gas to travel through, and each of said plurality of channels including a control valve and a range flow meter; said plurality of range flow meters providing a plurality of different ranges of flow measurements through said plurality of channels; an outlet pressure gauge connected to the output from said gas section manifold for monitoring the pressure of the pressurized gas from said gas section manifold; and means for connecting the output from said gas section manifold to a part of said closed system to be tested for leakage and with the rate of leakage from said closed system being indicated on the one of the flow meters that is able to meter the loss of pressurized gas from said closed system and likewise from said leakage testing apparatus; said water test section being comprised of: a water reservoir tank partially filled with water and receiving said pressurized gas as an input; a water section manifold for receiving water forced from said water reservoir tank by said pressurized gas; said water section manifold having a plurality of channels located therein for the pressurized water to travel through and each of said plurality of channels including a control valve and a range flow meter; said plurality of range flow meters providing a plurality of different ranges of flow measurements through said plurality of channels; an outlet pressure gauge connected to the output from said water section manifold for monitoring the pressure of the pressurized water from said water section manifold; and means for connecting the output from said water section manifold to a part of said closed system to be tested for leakage and with the rate of leakage from said closed system being indicated on the one of the flow meters that is able to meter the loss of pressurized water from said closed system and likewise from said leakage testing apparatus.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 407 words

Apparatus for detecting and measuring leakage in closed systems, comprising: pressure regulating means for adjusting a gas input to the apparatus to a predetermined pressure; means for directing the pressurized gas to one of at least two different test sections of said leakage testing apparatus; said at least two different test sections including at least a gas test section and a water test section; said gas test section being comprised of: a gas section manifold for receiving pressurized gas directed thereto; said gas section manifold having a plurality of channels located therein for the pressurized gas to travel through, and each of said plurality of channels including a control valve and a range flow meter; said plurality of range flow meters providing a plurality of different ranges of flow measurements through said plurality of channels; an outlet pressure gauge connected to the output from said gas section manifold for monitoring the pressure of the pressurized gas from said gas section manifold; and means for connecting the output from said gas section manifold to a part of said closed system to be tested for leakage and with the rate of leakage from said closed system being indicated on the one of the flow meters that is able to meter the loss of pressurized gas from said closed system and likewise from said leakage testing apparatus; said water test section being comprised of: a water reservoir tank partially filled with water and receiving said pressurized gas as an input; a water section manifold for receiving water forced from said water reservoir tank by said pressurized gas; said water section manifold having a plurality of channels located therein for the pressurized water to travel through and each of said plurality of channels including a control valve and a range flow meter; said plurality of range flow meters providing a plurality of different ranges of flow measurements through said plurality of channels; an outlet pressure gauge connected to the output from said water section manifold for monitoring the pressure of the pressurized water from said water section manifold; and means for connecting the output from said water section manifold to a part of said closed system to be tested for leakage and with the rate of leakage from said closed system being indicated on the one of the flow meters that is able to meter the loss of pressurized water from said closed system and likewise from said leakage testing apparatus.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 40 words

The apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks as set forth in claim 1, further including a control valve and a bypass valve, in series, for bypassing said pressurized gas around said gas section manifold to directly pressurize said closed system.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 48 words

The apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks as set forth in claim 1, further including a control valve and a bypass valve, in series, for bypassing the pressurized water from said water reservoir tank around said water section manifold to directly fill said closed system with pressurized water.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks as set forth in claim 1, further including a sight glass assembly connected between the input and the output of said water reservoir tank for indicating the level of water inside said water reservoir tank.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leak detection and measurements are carried out at an elevated pressure.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said leak detection and measurement apparatus is adaptable for both hydraulic and pneumatic pressure testing of said closed systems.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the closure of a check valve on the reversal of flow in the system under test may be verified by observing the sudden reduction in flow on the flowmeter.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 82 words

The apparatus of claim 1, further including a leak simulator connected to the output from said gas section manifold or the output from said water section manifold for verifying the accuracy of the flow meters associated with said gas section manifold or said water section manifold; said leak simulator being comprised of a housing encasing a filter and a metallic disk with a hole located in its center of a predetermined diameter; said disk functioning to simulate leak from said closed systems.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1985-12-20	1986-06-21	1986-12-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1989-12-20	1990-06-21	1990-12-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1993-12-20	1994-06-21	1994-12-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Multi-media leak test apparatus

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