Leak locating device using an ultraviolet LED

• US 20030098425A1
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JL Sales & Marketing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: JL Sales & Marketing Incorporated
• Inventors: Sosinsky, Peter
• Application Number:
  US09/995,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098425A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/504.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/20 using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/33 using ultraviolet light G01N21/39 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/91 using penetration of dyes, e.g. fluorescent ink
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 LED's

Abstract

The present invention provides a device that uses an ultraviolet LED to locate fluorescent materials. In particular, the present invention is directed to a device that is used to detect leaks, cracks or fissures in a contained system, such as, for example, an air conditioning system for a vehicle. The device has a main body, an ultraviolet LED mounted to the main body so that ultraviolet light from the LED is directed away from the device, and a power source linked to the ultraviolet LED to provide power to the LED. The ultraviolet LED can be an UVA LED. Moreover, the wavelength of the ultraviolet light produced by tho LED is about 315 nm to about 400 nm. The method of the invention for locating fluid leaks can comprise, for example, introducing an ultraviolet dye into a fluid in a contained system, such as, for example, an air conditioning system of a vehicle, and illuminating an area of the system to be checked for fluid leaks with an ultraviolet LED light source. The ultraviolet light from the LED causes the ultraviolet dye in the fluid to fluoresce.

Claims

1. A device to locate fluorescent materials, comprising:

a) a main body;

b) an ultraviolet LED mounted to the main body so that ultraviolet light from the LED is directed away from the device; and

c) a power source linked to the ultraviolet LED to provide power thereto.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the ultraviolet LED is an UVA LED.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the wavelength of the ultraviolet light produced by the LED is about 315 nm to about 400 nm.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the LED comprises a plurality of LED lights mounted to a circuit board.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the number of LED lights is three.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the power source is a battery source.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the power source is mounted in the main body.

8. A device according to claim 7 further comprising an on/off switch mounted to the main body.

9. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a housing connected to the main body and wherein the ultraviolet LED is mounted to the housing.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the main body has two ends and a longitudinal axis.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the housing is connected to the main body at one end thereof.

12. A device according to claim 11 further comprising an on/off switch mounted to the main body at the other and thereof.

13. A device according to claim 11 wherein the housing is provided with a lens through which the light from the LED projects.

14. A device according to claim 11 further comprising an extension to connect the housing to the main body.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the extension is flexible.

16. A device according to claim 10 wherein the main body comprises a handle portion.

17. A method of locating fluid leaks, comprising;

a) introducing an ultraviolet dye into a fluid in a contained system; and

b) illuminating an area of the system to be checked for fluid leaks with an ultraviolet LED.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the ultraviolet LED is an UVA LED.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the wavelength of the ultraviolet light produced by the LED is about 315 nm to about 400 nm.

20. A method according to claim 17 wherein the LED is powered by a battery source that is mounted in a device that houses the LED.

21. The use of a device to locate fluid leaks, where the fluid contains an ultraviolet dye, the device comprising:

a) a main body;

b) an ultraviolet LED mounted to the main body so that ultraviolet light from the LED is directed away from the device; and

c) a power source linked to the ultraviolet LED to provide power thereto.

22. A use according to claim 21 wherein the ultraviolet LED of the device is an UVA LED.

23. A use according to claim 21 wherein the wavelength of the ultraviolet light produced by the LED of the device is about 315 nm to about 400 nm.

24. A use according to claim 21 wherein the power source of the device is a battery source.