System and method for dynamic signal processing for vacuum decay leak detection
AssigneePackaging Technologies and Inspection, LLC
InventorsMikhail Kneller, Guerney Hunt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A leak detection apparatus includes a test chamber and a vacuum source connected to the test chamber via a pneumatic line. A first pressure transducer is in communication with the test chamber. A controller is configured to collect and analyze data generated by the first pressure transducer at a predetermined frequency throughout an entire test cycle. The controller is also configured to convert specified collected data to logarithmic scale to accumulate a first set of data and apply a linear regression to the first set of data and determine regression parameters.
Claims22
A leak detection apparatus, comprising:
- a test chamber;
- a vacuum source connected to the test chamber via a pneumatic line;
- at least one sensor comprising a first pressure transducer in communication with the test chamber;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- start a leak test under a basic mode;
- collect and analyze data generated by the at least one sensor at a predetermined frequency throughout an entire test cycle;
- specify a portion of the collected data;
- convert the specified portion of the collected data to logarithmic scale to accumulate a first set of data;
- apply a linear regression to the first set of data and determine regression parameters;
- determine whether to abort or continue the leak test based on the regression parameters when or before a predetermined evacuation period expires;
- and
- in response to a determination to continue the leak test, select at least one of test modes based on the regression parameters to continue the leak test, wherein the test modes comprise the basic mode, a dual-sensor mode, a repeatability-improved mode, and a reproducibility-improved mode, each corresponds to a selected use of the at least one sensor to collect data.
A method of performing a leak test using a leak detection system including at least one sensor comprising a first pressure transducer, the method comprising:
- starting the leak test under a basic mode and setting a predetermined evacuation period and a predetermined steady state period;
- collecting data from the at least one sensor at a predetermined frequency throughout an entire test cycle;
- specifying a portion of the collected data;
- converting the specified portion of the collected data into logarithmic scale to accumulate a first set of data;
- determining linear regression parameters of the first set of data;
- determining whether to abort or continue the leak test based on the regression parameters when or before the predetermined evacuation period expires;
- and
- in response to a determination to continue the leak test, selecting at least one of test modes based on the regression parameters to continue the leak test, wherein the test modes comprise the basic mode, a dual-sensor mode, a repeatability-improved mode, and a reproducibility-improved mode, each corresponds to a selected use of the at least one sensor to collect data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.