Portable light source and system for use in leak detection

• US 20020096643A1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bright Solutions Incorporated (Bright Solutions)
• Original Assignee: Bright Solutions Incorporated (Bright Solutions)
• Inventors: Cavestri, Richard C., Kalley, Terrence D., Miniutti, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/093,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20020096643A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/458.1
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/04 Resilient mountings, e.g. shock absorbers shock absorbing devices of vehicle headlamp housings B60Q1/0491; in general F16F15/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/15 Thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/08 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for photometry standard sources, also using luminescent or radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/4406 Fluorescence spectrometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/20 using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/228 for radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence

Abstract

A light source for examining leak detection sites in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems using a fluorescent dye is described. The system includes eyewear.

Claims

1. A system for identifying a leak in a fluid system comprising:

a light source for emitting light; and

an eyewear for restricting observation of emitted light from the light source to enhance detection of fluorescence.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source includes a low voltage lamp configured to emit light from the light source.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the light source emits substantially no light at the emission wavelength.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the lamp is a halogen lamp.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the lamp is electrically connected to a battery.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the eyewear is a pair of fluorescence enhancing glasses.

8. A system for detecting leaks in a fluid system, the system comprising:

a light source for emitting an excitation wavelength of light to excite a substance that emits an emission wavelength of light; and

an eyewear filter for enhancing observation of the emission wavelength of light.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the light source includes a low voltage lamp.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the light source emits substantially no light at the emission wavelength of light.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the lamp is a halogen lamp.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the lamp is electrically connected to a battery.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the eyewear filter is a pair of fluorescence enhancing glasses.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the the emission wavelength passes through eyewear filter and the exitation wavelength substantially does not pass through the eyewear filter.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the light source includes a low voltage lamp.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the lamp is a halogen lamp.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the lamp is electrically connected to a battery.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the eyewear filter is a pair of fluorescence enhancing glasses.

15. A method of detecting a leak in a fluid system containing a substance capable of emitting an emission wavelength of light comprising:

providing light from a light source at the excitation wavelength of the substance; and

detecting the emission of light from the substance through an eyewear filter that enhances detection of fluorescence.