System and method for leak detection

• US 7,174,772 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2005
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Giuseppe Sacca
• Original Assignee: Giuseppe Sacca
• Inventors: Sacca, Giuseppe
• Primary Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US11/057,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20060179922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 731 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40, 73/492, 73/493, 73/498
• US Class Current: 73/49.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/3218 for flexible or elastic containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/3236 by monitoring the interior space of the containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/3281 removably mounted in a test cell

Abstract

A leak testing control assembly for a leak testing system of a type that cooperates with a test part interface that is coupled with a test part. In a broad aspect the leak testing control assembly includes a working fluid generator for applying a working fluid having a fluidic pressure to a test part. A flow controller assembly is coupled to the working fluid generator. The flow controller assembly includes a flow controller element for controlling the flow rate of the working fluid. A pressure level measuring element is positioned relative to the test part for measuring the fluidic pressure. A control system is coupled to the flow controller assembly and the pressure level measuring element. A user interface is coupled to the control system for providing user interaction with the leak testing control assembly. During operation, the control system 1) facilitates application of the fluidic pressure at a selected relatively constant flow rate; and, 2) interprets the value of the fluidic pressure, after the application of the fluidic pressure at the selected relatively constant flow rate, to determine whether the test part is free of leaks.

Claims

1. A leak testing control assembly for a leak testing system of a type that cooperates with a test part interface that is coupled with a test part, said leak testing control assembly comprising:

a) a working fluid generator for applying a working fluid having a fluidic pressure to a test part;

b) a flow controller assembly coupled to said working fluid generator, said flow controller assembly including a flow controller element for controlling the flow rate of said working fluid;

c) a pressure level measuring element positioned relative to said test part for measuring said fluidic pressure;

d) a control system coupled to said flow controller assembly and said pressure level measuring element; and

,

e) a user interface coupled to said control system for providing user interaction with the leak testing control assembly,

wherein during operation said control system

     1) facilitates application of said fluidic pressure at a selected relatively constant flow rate; and

,

     2) Interprets the value of said fluidic pressure, after said application of said fluidic pressure at said selected relatively constant flow rate, to determine whether said test part is free of leaks.

2. The leak testing control assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said working fluid generator comprises a compressed fluid source for pressurizing said test part by introducing said working fluid at said selected relatively constant flow rate into an interior volume of said test part.

3. The leak testing control assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said working fluid generator comprises a vacuum source for pressurizing a sealing chamber located about said test part by extracting working fluid at said selected relatively constant flow rate out of an interior volume of said sealing chamber.

4. The leak testing control assembly of claim 1, wherein said flow controller assembly further comprises a high flow valve for applying an initial fluidic pressure to said test part at a higher flow rate than said selected relatively constant flow rate prior to said application of a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected flow rate.

5. The leak testing control assembly of claim 1, wherein said flow controller assembly further comprises:

a high flow valve for applying an initial fluidic pressure to said test part at a higher flow rate than said selected relatively constant flow rate prior to said application of a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected flow rate; and

,

wherein said control system adjusts said relatively higher flow rate for a first programmed time duration to maintain said fluidic pressure to said test part at or above a predetermined threshold pressure also prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected relatively constant flow rate.

6. The leak testing control assembly of claim 1, wherein said flow controller assembly further comprises:

a high flow valve for applying an initial fluidic pressure to said test part at a higher flow rate than said selected relatively constant flow rate prior to said application of a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected flow rate; and

,

wherein said control system adjusts said relatively higher flow rate for a first programmed time duration to maintain said fluidic pressure to said test part at or above a predetermined threshold pressure also prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected relatively constant flow rate; and

,

wherein said control system applies said selected relatively constant flow rate for a second programmed time duration before comparing said fluidic pressure with said predetermined threshold pressure wherein said fluidic pressure being greater than said predetermined threshold pressure is indicative of a leak free test part and wherein said fluldic pressure being lower than said threshold pressure is indicative of a leak in said test part.

7. The leak testing control assembly of claim 1, wherein said flow controller assembly further comprises:

a high flow valve for applying an initial fluidic pressure to said test part at a higher flow rate than said selected relatively constant flow rate prior to said application of a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected flow rate; and

,

wherein said control system adjusts said relatively higher flow rate for a first programmed time duration to maintain said fluidic pressure to said test part at or above a predetermined threshold pressure also prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected relatively constant flow rate; and

,

wherein said control system applies said selected relatively constant flow rate and detects a positive or negative trend of said fluidic pressure wherein a positive pressure trend with said fluidic pressure being greater than said predetermined threshold pressure is indicative of a leak free test part and a negative pressure trend with said fluidic pressure being lower than said predetermined threshold pressure is indicative of a leak in said test part.

8. The leak testing control assembly of claim 1, wherein said test part is a glove.

9. A leak testing system, comprising:

a) a leak testing control assembly, comprising;

i. a working fluid generator for applying a working fluid having a fluidic pressure to a test part;

ii. a flow controller assembly coupled to said working fluid generator, said flow controller assembly Including a flow controller element for controlling the flow rate of said working fluid;

iii. a pressure level measuring element positioned relative to said test part for measuring said fluidic pressure;

iv. a control system coupled to said flow controller assembly and said pressure level measuring element; and

,

v. a user interface coupled to said control system for providing user interaction with the leak testing control assembly; and

,

b) a test part interface coupled to said leak testing control assembly for providing fluid communication between said leak testing control assembly and said test part,

wherein during operation said control system

     1) facilitates application of said fluidic pressure at a selected relatively constant flow rate; and

,

     2) interprets the value of said fluidic pressure, after said application of said fluidic pressure at said selected relatively constant flow rate, to determine whether said test part is free of leaks.

10. A method for testing a test part for leaks, comprising the steps of:

a) applying a fluidic pressure to a test part utilizing a selected relatively constant flow rate of a working fluid; and

,

b) interpreting the value of said fluidic pressure, after said application of said fluidic pressure at said selected relatively constant flow rate, to determine whether said test pad is free of leaks.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein:

said step of applying a fluidic pressure to a test part comprises pressurizing said test part by introducing working fluid at said selected relatively constant flow rate into an interior volume of said test part.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein:

said step of applying a fluidic pressure to a test part comprises pressurizing a sealing chamber located about said test part by extracting working fluid at said selected relatively constant flow rate out of an interior volume of said sealing chamber.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of:

applying an initial fluidic pressure to said test part at a higher flow rate than said selected relatively constant flow rate prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected relatively constant flow rate.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

a) applying an initial fluidic pressure to said test part at a relatively higher flow rate than said selected flow rate prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected relatively constant flow rate; and

,

b) adjusting said relatively higher flow rate for a first programmed time duration to maintain said fluldic pressure to said test part at or above a predetermined threshold pressure also prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test pad at said selected flow rate.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

a) applying an initial fluidic pressure to said test part at a relatively higher flow rate than said selected flow rate prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected relatively constant flow rate; and

,

b) adjusting said relatively higher flow rate for a first programmed time duration to maintain said fluldic pressure to said test part at or above a predetermined threshold pressure also prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected flow rate; and

,

c) applying said selected relatively constant flow rate for a second programmed time duration before comparing said fluidic pressure with said predetermined threshold pressure wherein said fluidic pressure being greater Than said predetermined threshold pressure is indicative of a leak free test part and wherein said fluidic pressure being lower than said threshold pressure is indicative of a leak in said test part.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

a) applying an initial fluidic pressure to said test part at a relatively higher flow rate Than said selected flow rate prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected relatively constant flow rate; and

,

b) adjusting said relatively higher flow rate for a first programmed time duration to maintain said fluidic pressure to said test part at or above a predetermined threshold pressure also prior to said step of applying a fluidic pressure to the test part at said selected flow rate; and

,

c) applying said selected relatively constant flow rate until a positive or negative trend of said fluidic pressure is detected wherein a positive pressure trend with said fluidic pressure being greater than said predetermined Threshold pressure is indicative of a leak free test part and a negatIve pressure trend with is said fluidic pressure being lower than said predetermined threshold pressure is indicative of a leak in said test part.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of applying a fluidic pressure to a test part comprises applying a fluidic pressure to a glove.