Detecting Leaks In A Fluid Cooling System By Sensing For A Drop Of Fluid Pressure In The System

• US 20130145615A1
• Filed: 12/07/2011
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Fitzsimmons, John A., Kline, Thomas A., White, Patrick F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,763,445 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/720
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/00 Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools for automatic control or regulation of feed movement, cutting velocity or position of tool or work B23Q15/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/28 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53087 with signal, scale, illuminator, or optical viewer

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting leaks in a fluid cooling system. One aspect of the present invention concerns an apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid cooling system that includes a pressure exerting device for applying a pressure on a supply hose and a return hose of the cooling system, and a pressure gauge coupled to the pressure exerting device for detecting a drop of fluid pressure in the cooling system while the pressure is applied. The drop of fluid pressure indicates that there may be a leak in the cooling system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid cooling system, the apparatus comprising:

a pressure exerting device for applying pressure on a flexible hose portion of the cooling system; and

a pressure gauge coupled to the pressure exerting device for detecting a drop of fluid pressure in the cooling system while pressure is applied, the drop of fluid pressure indicating a leak in the cooling system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the applied pressure is adjustable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure gauge comprises a pressure sensing pin touching the exterior of the flexible hose portion to sense the drop of fluid pressure.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressure exerting device comprises a pair of clamps for holding the flexible hose portion in place while the pressure is applied, and the pressure sensing pin is adjustable relative to the flexible hose portion to change the applied pressure.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid cooling system comprises a supply hose and return hose, and fluid in the supply hose and return hose is turned off while the pressure is applied.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flexible hose portion is part of at least one of said supply hose and said return hose.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling system is used for cooling electronics fabrication equipment.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an indicator coupled to the pressure device to generate a leak indication when a leak is detected.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the indicator is at least one of an audible alarm, a visible alarm, an alert sent to a remote device, or a meter.

10. A method for detecting leaks in a fluid cooling system having a supply valve and a return valve, the method comprising:

closing the return valve;

applying a pressure exerting device on a flexible hose portion of the cooling system, the pressure exerting device being coupled to a pressure gauge;

closing the supply valve; and

observing the pressure gauge for a drop of fluid pressure in the cooling system, wherein the fluid pressure drop indicates a leak in the cooling system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pressure gauge is observed for approximately ten seconds.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the fluid cooling system comprises a supply hose and return hose, and fluid in the supply hose and return hose is turned off while the pressure is applied.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising re-opening the supply valve and return valve once the leak is detected.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the pressure gauge comprises a pressure sensing pin touching the exterior of the flexible hose portion to sense the drop of fluid pressure.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the pressure exerting device applies pressure of approximately 15 psi to the flexible hose portion.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the fluid cooling system comprises a pressurized coolant.

17. An electronics fabrication system comprising:

an electronics fabrication equipment;

a fluid cooling system coupled to the electronics fabrication equipment for cooling the fabrication equipment; and

an apparatus for detecting leaks in the cooling system, the apparatus comprising a pressure exerting device for applying pressure on a flexible hose portion of the cooling system, and a pressure gauge coupled to the pressure exerting device for detecting a drop of fluid pressure in the cooling system while pressure is applied, wherein the fluid pressure drop indicates a leak in the cooling system.

18. The electronics fabrication system of claim 17, wherein the fluid cooling system comprises a supply valve and a return valve, and detecting comprises:

closing the return valve;

applying the pressure exerting device to the flexible hose portion;

closing the supply valve; and

observing the pressure gauge for the fluid pressure drop.

19. The electronics fabrication system of claim 17, wherein the pressure gauge comprises a pressure sensing pin touching the exterior of the flexible hose portion to sense the drop of fluid pressure.

20. The electronics fabrication system of claim 17, further comprising an indicator coupled to the apparatus to generate a leak indication, wherein the indicator is at least one of an audible alarm, a visible alarm, and an alert sent to a remote system.