Detection of gas leakage
| DWPI Title: Non-alternating current-powered method for determining volume of closed test container, involves establishing fluidic connection between test container, and manifold, and measuring differential pressure, and volume of test container |
| Abstract: A method of detecting leaks and measuring volumes as well as an apparatus, the Power-free Pump Module (PPM), that is a self-contained leak test and volume measurement apparatus that requires no external sources of electrical power during leak testing or volume measurement, where the invention is a portable, pneumatically-controlled instrument capable of generating a vacuum, calibrating volumes, and performing quantitative leak tests on a closed test system or device, all without the use of alternating current (AC) power. Capabilities include the ability is to provide a modest vacuum (less than 10 Torr), perform a pressure rise leak test, measure the gas's absolute pressure, and perform volume measurements. All operations are performed through a simple rotary control valve which controls pneumatically-operated manifold valves. |
| Use: Non-alternating current-powered method for determining volume of a closed test container for use in different industries e.g. aerospace, automotive, refrigeration, defense, oil and gas, semiconductor, and renewable solar energy. Can also be used for detecting gas leakage and measuring pressure rise leak, gas absolute pressure, and volume of flammable, poisonous gas. |
| Advantage: The method enables utilizing a portable, pneumatically-controlled instrument for generating a vacuum, calibrating volumes, and performing quantitative leak tests on a closed test system or device at low time consumption with high stability and without the use of alternating current power. The method enables improving ability to provide a modest vacuum, perform a pressure rise leak test, measure the gas's absolute pressure, and perform volume measurements through utilization of a simple rotary control valve, which controls pneumatically-operated manifold valves so as to analyze detecting faults. |
| Novelty: The method involves evacuating a container (18) of known volume to a determined vacuum pressure. A closed test container and a manifold (13) are evacuated to a determined atmospheric pressure. The manifold and the container of known volume are fluidically isolated. A fluidic connection is established between the manifold and the container of known volume. Manifold volume is calculated. A fluidic connection is established between the closed test container, the manifold or the container of known volume. Resulting differential pressure is measured. The volume of the test container is measured. |
| Filed: 4/16/2009 |
| Application Number: US2009424791A |
| Tech ID: SD 10710.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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