Method of producing an ultra-violet or near ultra-violet light source for non-destructive inspection or testing
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a leak in a liquid or air circulating system, comprising the steps of:
- applying a fluorescent material to the system in a manner to cause the material to leak from the system;
activating at least one LED in a handheld housing having an open end through which the radiation emits radiation, a substantial portion of the wavelength of radiation emitted from the at least one LED falling within a range from 395 to 415 nanometers, different from the fluorescent leak detection dye absorption peak wavelength, and wherein substantially less radiation is emitted from the at least one LED in wavelengths above 415 nanometers than is emitted within the range from 395 to 415 nanometers; and
shining the radiation transmitted from the at least one LED onto the system to excite leaked fluorescent material; and
detecting a leak by the fluorescence of the leaked fluorescent material.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided an apparatus having at least one LED capable of emitting near ultraviolet or ultraviolet radiation to excite a luminescent material for non-destructive fault testing. The radiation may also be focused using a lens. There is also provided a method for detecting a fault in a body, comprising the steps of applying a luminescent material to the body in a manner to concentrate the luminescent material in a pattern indicative of the location of a fault in the body; activating an LED to emit ultraviolet radiation; shining the radiation transmitted from the LED onto the body to excite the luminescent material; and detecting a fault by the fluorescence of the luminescent material indicative of the location of the fault in the body.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a leak in a liquid or air circulating system, comprising the steps of:
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applying a fluorescent material to the system in a manner to cause the material to leak from the system; activating at least one LED in a handheld housing having an open end through which the radiation emits radiation, a substantial portion of the wavelength of radiation emitted from the at least one LED falling within a range from 395 to 415 nanometers, different from the fluorescent leak detection dye absorption peak wavelength, and wherein substantially less radiation is emitted from the at least one LED in wavelengths above 415 nanometers than is emitted within the range from 395 to 415 nanometers; and shining the radiation transmitted from the at least one LED onto the system to excite leaked fluorescent material; and detecting a leak by the fluorescence of the leaked fluorescent material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A kit comprising:
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(i) an inspection lamp for use in detecting leaks from a liquid or air circulating system using a fluorescent leak detection material, the lamp including; at least one LED capable of emitting radiation to produce fluorescence of the leak detection material that leaks from the system; a power supply connected to said at least one LED to provide said at least one LED with electricity, and wherein a substantial portion of the wavelength of radiation emitted from the at least one LED falls within a range from 395 to 415 nanometers, different from the fluorescent leak detection material absorption peak wavelength, and wherein substantially less radiation is emitted from the at least one LED in wavelengths above 415 nanometers than is emitted within the range from 395 to 415 nanometers; and a housing having an open end, wherein said at least one LED is attached to a substrate and is mounted within said housing adjacent the open end, and said at least one LED is oriented to emit radiation through the open end, and wherein the housing is handheld; and (ii) the fluorescent leak detection material being capable of absorbing at least a portion of the radiation emitted from the at least one LED, and fluorescing at a visible wavelength as a result. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for detecting a leak in a liquid or air circulating system, comprising the steps of:
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applying a fluorescent material to the system in a manner to cause the material to leak from the system; activating at least one LED in a handheld housing having an open end through which the radiation emits radiation, a substantial portion of the wavelength of radiation emitted from the at least one LED falling within a range from 395 to 415 nanometers, unmatched to the fluorescent leak detection dye absorption peak wavelength, and wherein substantially less radiation is emitted from the at least one LED in wavelengths above 415 nanometers than is emitted within the range from 395 to 415 nanometers; and shining the radiation transmitted from the at least one LED onto the system to excite leaked fluorescent material; and detecting a leak by the fluorescence of the leaked fluorescent material. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A kit comprising:
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(i) an inspection lamp for use in detecting leaks from a liquid or air circulating system using a fluorescent leak detection dye, the lamp including; at least one LED capable of emitting radiation to produce fluorescence of leak detection dye that leaks from the system; a power supply connected to said at least one LED to provide said at least one LED with electricity, and wherein a substantial portion of the wavelength of radiation emitted from the at least one LED falls within a range from 395 to 415 nanometers, unmatched to the fluorescent leak detection dye absorption peak wavelength, and wherein substantially less radiation is emitted from the at least one LED in wavelengths above 415 nanometers than is emitted within the range from 395 to 415 nanometers; and a housing having an open end, wherein said at least one LED is attached to a substrate and is mounted within said housing adjacent the open end, and said at least one LED is oriented to emit radiation through the open end, and wherein the housing is handheld; and (ii) the fluorescent leak detection dye being capable of absorbing at least a portion of the radiation emitted from the at least one LED, and fluorescing at a visible wavelength as a result. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification