Leak detector for a pressurized cylinder
First Claim
1. Apparatus for measuring a leak in a pressurized cylindrical container having a gas chamber where the length of said container and chamber changes with an applied load, comprising:
- a pressure sensor coupled to said container and positioned to measure the pressure (P) in said chamber,a temperature sensor coupled to said container and positioned to measure the temperature (T) of said container,a displacement sensor coupled to said container for measuring length changes of the container and chamber during different applied load conditions, andprocessing means coupled to said sensors to provide an output indicative of the volume of the chamber according to Vc=π
r2Lc whereVc is the volume of the chamber;
r is the radius of the chamber;
Lc is the length of the chamber;
wherein said processing means providing an output according to the equation PV =nRTwhere;
P is the pressure in the chamber;
V is the volume of the chamber;
n is the number of moles of gas the chamber;
R is the universal gas constant;
T is the absolute temperature of the chamber;
wherein the number of moles of gas is determined during different load conditions where Lc changes and wherein a leak is detected if said number of moles changes from one load condition to another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A leak detector apparatus for a pressurized cylinder having a cylinder of a radius (r) with a slidable piston in the cylinder with a gas filled chamber positioned between a cylinder end and the piston face. The length (L) of the chamber is calculated according to load changes on the piston where the volume (Vc) of the chamber changes. The pressure and temperature of the chamber are measured as well as the length. These values are inputted to a processor to solve the ideal gas law equation PV=nRT where a change in n for a change in length indicates a leak.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for measuring a leak in a pressurized cylindrical container having a gas chamber where the length of said container and chamber changes with an applied load, comprising:
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a pressure sensor coupled to said container and positioned to measure the pressure (P) in said chamber, a temperature sensor coupled to said container and positioned to measure the temperature (T) of said container, a displacement sensor coupled to said container for measuring length changes of the container and chamber during different applied load conditions, and processing means coupled to said sensors to provide an output indicative of the volume of the chamber according to Vc=π
r2Lc whereVc is the volume of the chamber; r is the radius of the chamber; Lc is the length of the chamber; wherein said processing means providing an output according to the equation PV =nRT where; P is the pressure in the chamber; V is the volume of the chamber; n is the number of moles of gas the chamber; R is the universal gas constant; T is the absolute temperature of the chamber; wherein the number of moles of gas is determined during different load conditions where Lc changes and wherein a leak is detected if said number of moles changes from one load condition to another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of detecting a gas leak in a pressurized cylinder apparatus, said apparatus having a cylinder, with a piston slideably positioned in said cylinder, with a gas chamber formed between an inner end wall of said cylinder and a face of said piston, the length (Lc) of said chamber changing due to an applied load comprising the steps of:
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measuring the pressure P in said chamber, measuring the temperature T in said chamber, determining the length (Lc) of said chamber under an applied load, calculating the volume (Vc) of said chamber according to the equation Vc=π
r2Lc;where; r is the radius of said chamber; computing PVc=nRT where P is the pressure in said chamber; T is the temperature of said chamber; Vc is the volume of said chamber; n is the number of moles of gas in said chamber; R is the universal gas constant; and determining a difference in the value of n between a first length and a second length of the chamber, wherein a difference is indicative of a gas leak in said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification