RECONFIGURABLE LEAK TESTING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A reconfigurable leak testing system comprising:
- a leak testing station;
an off-shuttle cart removably attachable to the leak testing station; and
a fixture cartridge translatable between the off-shuttle cart and the leak testing station, the fixture cartridge configured to selectively couple with the leak testing station, the fixture cartridge including an upper fixture, a lower fixture, and an actuatable testing feature,wherein the fixture cartridge is configured to receive a part between the upper fixture and lower fixture, the actuatable testing feature being configured to contact the part, andwherein a closed volume is defined at least partially by the actuatable testing feature and the part.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reconfigurable leak testing system is provided that includes a leak testing station and at least one off-shuttle cart removably attachable to the leak testing station. A fixture cartridge is translatable between the off-shuttle cart and the leak testing station. The fixture cartridge is configured to selectively couple with the leak testing station. The fixture cartridge includes an upper fixture, a lower fixture, and an actuatable testing feature. The fixture cartridge is configured to receive a part between the upper fixture and lower fixture. The actuatable testing feature is configured to contact the part. A closed volume is defined at least partially by the actuatable testing feature and the part.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable leak testing system comprising:
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a leak testing station; an off-shuttle cart removably attachable to the leak testing station; and a fixture cartridge translatable between the off-shuttle cart and the leak testing station, the fixture cartridge configured to selectively couple with the leak testing station, the fixture cartridge including an upper fixture, a lower fixture, and an actuatable testing feature, wherein the fixture cartridge is configured to receive a part between the upper fixture and lower fixture, the actuatable testing feature being configured to contact the part, and wherein a closed volume is defined at least partially by the actuatable testing feature and the part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A reconfigurable leak testing system comprising:
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a leak testing station having a first side and a second side, the leak testing station having a first station docking feature disposed adjacent to the first side and a second station docking feature disposed adjacent to the second side; a first off-shuttle cart removably attachable to the first and second sides of the leak testing station, the first off-shuttle cart having a first cart docking feature configured to mate with the first and second station docking features such that mating the first cart docking feature with one of the first and second station docking features removably attaches the first off-shuttle cart to the leak testing station, the first off-shuttle cart having a plurality of first wheels attached to the first off-shuttle cart; a second off-shuttle cart removably attachable to the first and second sides of the leak testing station, the second off-shuttle cart having a second cart docking feature configured to mate with the first and second station docking features such that mating the second cart docking feature with one of the first and second station docking features removably attaches the first off-shuttle cart to the leak testing station, the second off-shuttle cart having a plurality of second wheels attached to the second off-shuttle cart; a first fixture cartridge translatable between the first off-shuttle cart and the leak testing station, the first fixture cartridge configured to selectively couple with the leak testing station, the first fixture cartridge including a first upper fixture, a first lower fixture, and a plurality of first actuatable testing features, wherein the first fixture cartridge is configured to receive a first part between the first upper fixture and the first lower fixture, the plurality of first actuatable testing features being configured to contact the first part, and wherein a first closed volume is defined at least partially by the plurality of first actuatable testing features and the first part; a second fixture cartridge translatable between the second off-shuttle cart and the leak testing station, the second fixture cartridge configured to selectively couple with the leak testing station, the second fixture cartridge including a second upper fixture, a second lower fixture, and a plurality of second actuatable testing features, wherein the second fixture cartridge is configured to receive a second part between the second upper fixture and the second lower fixture, the plurality of second actuatable testing features being configured to contact the second part, and wherein a second closed volume is defined at least partially by the plurality of second actuatable testing features and the second part; and an automated conveyor system configured to translate the first and second fixture cartridges between the first and second off-shuttle carts respectively and the leak testing station, the automated conveyor system including a station track attached to the leak testing station and first and second cart tracks attached to the first and second off-shuttle carts respectively, the station track and the first cart track being configured to cooperate to translate the first fixture cartridge between the first off-shuttle cart and the leak testing station, the station track and the second cart track being configured to cooperate to translate the second fixture cartridge between the second off-shuttle cart and the leak testing station. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of leak testing a part using a reconfigurable leak testing system, the method comprising:
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wheeling an off-shuttle cart to a location adjacent to a leak testing station; removably attaching the off-shuttle cart to the leak testing station; automatically translating a fixture cartridge into the leak testing station, the fixture cartridge being provided with upper and lower fixtures; receiving a part between the upper and lower fixtures; establishing a closed volume within the part; pressurizing the closed volume using a pressurized fluid; and monitoring the pressurized fluid to detect fluid leakage.
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Specification