Leak detection with thermal imaging
First Claim
1. A method of leak testing a heat exchanger of the type designed for the flow of refrigerant therethrough, comprising the steps of:
- pressurizing the heat exchanger with a vapor;
effecting a transfer of heat so as to cause a substantial temperature gradient between the heat exchanger and the pressurized vapor therein;
viewing the heat exchanger with an infrared camera and generating signals representative of the temperatures of both the heat exchanger and any vapor that is leaking therefrom; and
applying said representative signals to an imaging system to create images that indicate the presence of vapor leakages from the heat exchanger.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An infrared camera is used to detect leakages in a heat exchanger by an imaging process that indicates temperature differences between a heat exchanger and a pressurized gas therein. The temperature differences are created by cooling or heating either the pressurized gas or the heat exchanger, and any leakages are visually observable by the resultant image which is representative of the temperature differences. The process can be accomplished with the use of ambient air rather than the commonly used trace gases which are less desirable because of economical and environmental reasons.
50 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of leak testing a heat exchanger of the type designed for the flow of refrigerant therethrough, comprising the steps of:
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pressurizing the heat exchanger with a vapor;
effecting a transfer of heat so as to cause a substantial temperature gradient between the heat exchanger and the pressurized vapor therein;
viewing the heat exchanger with an infrared camera and generating signals representative of the temperatures of both the heat exchanger and any vapor that is leaking therefrom; and
applying said representative signals to an imaging system to create images that indicate the presence of vapor leakages from the heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for leak testing a heat exchanger of the type intended for conducting the flow of refrigerant therethrough, comprising:
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means for pressurizing the heat exchanger with a gas;
means for effecting a temperature gradient between the heat exchanger and the pressurized gas therein;
an infrared camera for viewing selected areas of the pressurized heat exchanger for the purpose of generating signals representative of temperatures of the heat exchanger and any gas leaking therefrom; and
an imaging system for receiving such generated signals and for responsively constructing an image representative of said respective temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of detecting leaks in heat exchanger of the type having an internal conduit through which refrigerant is intended to pass for purposes of heat transfer between the refrigerant and a medium passing externally over said heat exchanger, comprising the steps of:
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pressurizing said heat exchanger with a vapor which is at a different temperature from that of the heat exchanger; and
exposing areas of the heat exchanger to a temperature sensitive device so as to detect leakage of said vapor from the heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification