Inspection methods and systems for detecting leaks in vacuum bag assemblies
First Claim
1. An inspection method for detecting leaks in a vacuum bag assembly used in the manufacture of a composite part, the method comprising spraying helium over the surface of the vacuum bag and using helium detecting equipment to detect helium dragged by the vacuum inside the vacuum bag through a leak, comprising the steps of:
- creating a local helium atmosphere over the vacuum bag assembly by zones following a programmed zonal sequence for a first leak detection test of each zone;
the local helium atmosphere being created inside a chamber placed over each zone;
the first leak detection test giving a positive result when the helium inside the vacuum bag detected by the helium detecting equipment exceeds a predetermined first threshold;
due to the first leak detection test giving a positive result in a particular zone, creating a new local helium atmosphere over the zone for a second leak detection test;
the second leak detection test giving a positive result when the helium inside the vacuum bag detected by the helium detecting equipment exceeds a predetermined second threshold.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Inspection methods and systems for detecting leaks in a vacuum bag assembly used in the manufacture of a composite part based on spraying helium over the vacuum bag and detecting the helium drawn by the vacuum inside the vacuum bag through a leak. The inspection methods comprise creating a local helium atmosphere in a chamber over the vacuum bag assembly by zones, following a programmed zonal sequence, for a first leak detection test of each zone and a subsequent second leak detection test if the first test gives a positive result. The inspection systems comprise a helium spraying system and helium detecting equipment arranged to implement the inspection methods.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An inspection method for detecting leaks in a vacuum bag assembly used in the manufacture of a composite part, the method comprising spraying helium over the surface of the vacuum bag and using helium detecting equipment to detect helium dragged by the vacuum inside the vacuum bag through a leak, comprising the steps of:
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creating a local helium atmosphere over the vacuum bag assembly by zones following a programmed zonal sequence for a first leak detection test of each zone;
the local helium atmosphere being created inside a chamber placed over each zone;
the first leak detection test giving a positive result when the helium inside the vacuum bag detected by the helium detecting equipment exceeds a predetermined first threshold;due to the first leak detection test giving a positive result in a particular zone, creating a new local helium atmosphere over the zone for a second leak detection test;
the second leak detection test giving a positive result when the helium inside the vacuum bag detected by the helium detecting equipment exceeds a predetermined second threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An inspection system for detecting leaks in a vacuum bag assembly used in the manufacture of a composite part comprising:
- a helium spraying system configured to spray helium over the vacuum bag assembly, and helium detecting equipment configured to detect helium drawn by a vacuum inside the vacuum bag through a leak, the helium spraying system comprising an apparatus configured to create a local helium atmosphere over individual zones of the vacuum bag assembly so that the helium detecting equipment detects the helium drawn by the vacuum in the zone through a leak;
the apparatus including a chamber configured to be positionable over the individual zones for housing the local helium atmosphere and a helium injection apparatus in the chamber;
the helium spraying system being configured to carry out the inspection of the vacuum bag assembly by zones following a programmed zonal sequence, wherein;
the vacuum bag assembly comprises a cured panel, a plurality of uncured stiffening stringers, curing tools for the uncured stiffening stringers with fastening clamps and a vacuum bag arranged directly over the composite part;
the vacuum bag being formed by joining individual bags for the uncured stiffening stringers and other bag pieces to cover an entire panel of the composite part;
the zones of the vacuum bag assembly to be covered by a plurality of chambers being set so that in a direction of the stiffening stringers the zones have a predetermined length and in a direction transverse to the stiffening stringers the zones comprise, for each stringer, a space occupied by the stringer'"'"'s individual bag, the sealing tape of two contiguous individual bags being assigned to the zone of one of the stringers so that the sealing tape is covered by one chamber. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
- a helium spraying system configured to spray helium over the vacuum bag assembly, and helium detecting equipment configured to detect helium drawn by a vacuum inside the vacuum bag through a leak, the helium spraying system comprising an apparatus configured to create a local helium atmosphere over individual zones of the vacuum bag assembly so that the helium detecting equipment detects the helium drawn by the vacuum in the zone through a leak;
Specification