Leakage test system

• US 3,893,332 A
• Filed: 02/21/1974
• Issued: 07/08/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael G. Leedy, Terry M. Dolan
• Original Assignee: Michael G. Leedy, Terry M. Dolan
• Inventors: Dolan, Terry M., Leedy, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Myracle, Jerry W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Appleman, John S.
• Application Number:
  US05/444,576
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40,168,49.2,49.3
• US Class Current: 73/40
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/3254 using a flow detector G01M3/3245, G01M3/3272 take precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining the quantity of compressed gas that is escaping from an enclosed volume. A sample of the gas at the enclosed volume pressure is taken from the enclosed volume. The sample is applied to one side of a differential pressure gage. The gas of the enclosed volume is then connected to the other side of the differential pressure gage and to a gas source that is maintained at a pressure greater than the pressure of the enclosed volume. Gas is added from the gas source to the enclosed volume to maintain a zero differential pressure on the differential pressure gage. The flow rate of the gas from the gas source is measured over a relatively short period of time which indicates the leakage of the enclosed volume.

Claims

1. A leakage test apparatus comprising:

a. first means for sampling and containing at a first predetermined pressure a gas contained in an enclosed volume at a first predetermined pressure;

b. second means for comparing the pressure of said gas contained in said first means with the pressure of the gas contained in said enclosed volume over a predetermined time duration;

c. third means for adding supplementary gas to the gas contained in said enclosed volume to maintain the pressure of the gas contained in said enclosed volume at said first predetermined pressure; and

d. fourth means for measuring the amount of supplementary gas added to said enclosed volume during said predetermined time duration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

a. said first means comprises a first container;

b. said second means comprises a differential pressure gage;

c. said third means comprises a second container containing a gas at a pressure above said first predetermined pressure; and

d. said fourth means comprises a flow rate meter.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

a. said first container is operatively connected to one side of said differential pressure gage;

b. a first conduit one end of which is operatively connected to the other side of said differential pressure gage and the other end of which is for being operatively connected to said enclosed volume;

c. said second container is operatively connected to said first conduit; and

d. said flow rate meter is operatively connected to the output of said second container.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including:

a. a bypass conduit operatively interconnecting said one and said other sides of said differential pressure gage.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including:

a. first and second valves operatively connected in series in said bypass conduit.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including:

a. a third valve operatively connected to atmosphere and to said bypass conduit between said first and second valves.