US5022265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for leak testing fluid conducting freeze-drying apparatus
Assignee: GEA Lyophil GmbH
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Filing: 1990-03-20
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Granted: 1991-06-11
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Expires: 2010-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A freeze-drying apparatus has a freeze-drying chamber, a double-walled product shelf disposed within the freeze-drying chamber, a conduit system partially disposed within the freeze-drying chamber and attached to the product shelf for temperature regulation thereof, a heat-exchange fluid contained in the conduit system, a test gas reservoir connected to the conduit system outside of the freeze-drying chamber, and a test gas specific detector connected to the chamber for detecting test gas introduced into the freeze-drying chamber from the heat-exchange fluid through a leak in the conduit system. In the alternative, the test gas reservoir is connected to the freeze-drying chamber, and a test gas specific detector is connected to the conduit system outside the freeze-drying chamber for detecting test gas introduced into the heat exchange fluid from the freeze-drying chamber through a leak in the conduit system.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Voss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/202; G01M3/205; G01M3/22; G01M3/226; G01M3/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A freeze-drying apparatus comprising a freeze-drying chamber, a double-walled product shelf disposed within the freeze-drying chamber, a conduit system partially disposed within the freeze-drying chamber and attached to the product shelf for temperature regulation thereof, a heat-exchange fluid contained in the conduit system, a test gas reservoir connected to the conduit system outside of the freeze-drying chamber, and a test gas specific detector connected to the chamber for detecting test gas introduced into the freeze-drying chamber from the heat-exchange fluid through a leak in the conduit system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A freeze-drying apparatus comprising a freeze-drying chamber, a double-walled product shelf disposed within the freeze-drying chamber, a conduit system partially disposed within the freeze-drying chamber and attached to the product shelf for temperature regulation thereof, a heat-exchange fluid contained in the conduit system, a test gas reservoir connected to the conduit system outside of the freeze-drying chamber, and a test gas specific detector connected to the chamber for detecting test gas introduced into the freeze-drying chamber from the heat-exchange fluid through a leak in the conduit system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A freeze-drying apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a condenser chamber connected to the freeze-drying chamber, an additional conduit system disposed within the condenser chamber and being connected to the test gas reservoir, and a heat-exchange fluid contained within the additional conduit system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A freeze-drying apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pressure reduction valve connecting the test gas reservoir to the conduit system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A freeze-drying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the test gas detector is a mass spectrometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A freeze-drying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the test gas reservoir is a helium reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
A freeze-drying apparatus comprising a freeze-drying chamber, a double-walled product shelf disposed within the freeze-drying chamber, a conduit system partially disposed within the freeze-drying chamber and attached to the product shelf for temperature regulation thereof, a heat-exchange fluid contained in the conduit system, a test gas reservoir connected to the freeze-drying chamber, and a test gas specific detector connected to the conduit system outside the freeze-drying chamber for detecting test gas introduced into the heat exchange fluid from the freeze-drying chamber through a leak in the conduit system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A freeze-drying apparatus comprising a freeze-drying chamber, a double-walled product shelf disposed within the freeze-drying chamber, a conduit system partially disposed within the freeze-drying chamber and attached to the product shelf for temperature regulation thereof, a heat-exchange fluid contained in the conduit system, a test gas reservoir connected to the freeze-drying chamber, and a test gas specific detector connected to the conduit system outside the freeze-drying chamber for detecting test gas introduced into the heat exchange fluid from the freeze-drying chamber through a leak in the conduit system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A freeze-drying apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the test gas detector is connected to the conduit system with a membrane gas separator comprised of a test gas permeable membrane and the test gas permeable membrane contacting the heat-exchange fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A freeze-drying apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the test gas detector is a mass spectrometer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A freeze-drying apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the test gas reservoir is a helium reservoir.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for detecting leaks in a fluid-conducting conduit system of a freeze-drying apparatus having a freeze-drying chamber accommodating a part of the conduit system, and a heat exchange fluid in the conduit system, comprising the steps of: maintaining a helium atmosphere in the freeze-drying chamber; separating helium from the heat exchange fluid with a separator including a membrane pervious to helium attached to the conduit system; and monitoring the presence of helium in the heat exchange fluid with the aid of a helium-sensitive detector connected to the separator.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for detecting leaks in a fluid-conducting conduit system of a freeze-drying apparatus having a freeze-drying chamber accommodating a part of the conduit system, and a heat exchange fluid in the conduit system, comprising the steps of: maintaining a helium atmosphere in the freeze-drying chamber; separating helium from the heat exchange fluid with a separator including a membrane pervious to helium attached to the conduit system; and monitoring the presence of helium in the heat exchange fluid with the aid of a helium-sensitive detector connected to the separator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-10 | 1994-12-10 | 1995-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-10 | 1998-12-10 | 1999-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-10 | 2002-12-10 | 2003-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |