Customizable vacuum test systems and methods
AssigneeBlue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
InventorEric David Wetzel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for customizable vacuum testing chambers. Outer shell segments are assembled to conform to and form a sealed enclosure about a test article having air therein. An interstitial region is defined between the test article and the shell segments. A porous support layer is located within the interstitial region. A vacuum pump evacuates air from within the interstitial region to vacuum test the article. Sensors detect leaks within the interstitial region. Zonal barriers may fluidly isolate zones of the interstitial region for locating leaks. The shell segments may be disassembled and the test article removed. The shell segments may be reused for testing other test articles having different shapes and sizes.
Claims17
A customizable vacuum test system comprising:
- a plurality of outer shell segments each having an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, the plurality of outer shell segments configured to be assembled together, to conform to a shape of a test article and form a sealed enclosure about the test article, and to be disassembled from each other;
- an interstitial region defined between an outer side of the test article and the inner surface of the plurality of outer shell segments when the plurality of outer shell segments form the sealed enclosure about the test article;
- a porous layer configured to be located within the interstitial region and to support the inner surface of one or more of the plurality of outer shell segments against an outer side of the test article when the plurality of outer shell segments form the sealed enclosure about the test article;
- and
- a pump in fluid communication with the interstitial region and configured to evacuate air from within the interstitial region to create a vacuum in the interstitial region.
A method of vacuum testing a test article, the method comprising:
- attaching a plurality of shell segments to form a sealed enclosure about the test article, wherein the test article comprises a volume of air therein;
- positioning a porous support structure in an interstitial region defined between the test article and an inner side of the sealed enclosure;
- generating a vacuum within the interstitial region;
- detecting a change in pressure in the interstitial region with one or more sensors;
- determining whether the volume of air is leaking from the test article;
- and
- detaching one or more of the plurality of shell segments from each other to allow the test article to be removed or accessed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.