Method for detecting a leak in a fluid guiding element of a heat exchanging device

Method for detecting a leak in a fluid guiding element of a heat exchanging device, comprising the following steps:

• a) acquiring a cloud of points of the heat exchanging device in a three-dimensional virtual space using a 3D sensor, each of said points representing a surface point on the outer surface of the heat exchanging device,
• b) searching within the cloud of points for structures corresponding to tubes having a predefined outer diameter,
• c) searching the obtained structures for an area of interest where the diameter or the direction of the tube changes,
• d) once an area of interest is found, determining an approach path for approaching a sniffing probe of a gas leak detector to the area of interest within the cloud of points, determining whether a determined approach path results in a collision of the sniffing probe with structures of the heat exchanging device, and determining a further approach path, if a collision is expected for a previously determined approach path,
• wherein step d) is repeated until an approach path is determined for which no collision of the sniffing probe with structures of the heat exchanging device is expected, and e) physically approaching the sniffing probe to a testing area of the heat exchanging device automatically along the approach path, where the testing area corresponds to the area of interest within the cloud of points.