Methods and systems for leak detection
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorGregory Andrew Pillar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of detecting a leak source within a tank includes coupling a first seal member to an external surface of the tank around an external leak location and coupling a second seal member to the external surface around a perimeter of the first seal member to define a gap between the first seal member and the second seal member. The method also includes coupling a sealing membrane to the first and second seal members such that a first cavity is at least partially defined within the perimeter of the first seal member and such that a second cavity is at least partially defined between the first seal member and the second seal member. The gap at least partially defines the second cavity. The method further includes applying a vacuum to the second cavity and injecting a detectable gas into the first cavity.
Claims20
A method of detecting a leak source within a tank, said method comprising:
- coupling a first seal member to an external surface of the tank about an external leak location;
- coupling a second seal member to the external surface around a perimeter of the first seal member to define a gap between the first seal member and the second seal member;
- coupling a sealing membrane to the first and second seal members such that a first cavity is at least partially defined within the perimeter of the first seal member and such that a second cavity is at least partially defined between the first seal member and the second seal member, wherein the gap at least partially defines the second cavity;
- applying a vacuum to the second cavity;
- and
- injecting a detectable gas into the first cavity.
A leak detection system comprising:
- a tank comprising an external surface including an external leak location;
- a first seal member coupled to said external surface about the external leak location;
- a second seal member coupled to said external surface around a perimeter of said first seal member to define a gap between said first seal member and said second seal member;
- a sealing membrane coupled to said first seal member to at least partially define a first cavity and coupled to said second seal member to at least partially define a second cavity;
- a vacuum system coupled in flow communication with said second cavity and configured to apply a vacuum to said second cavity;
- and
- a gas system coupled in flow communication with said first cavity and configured to inject a detectable gas into said first cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.