# US 2018/0321108 A1 · Leakage testing tool for component and related method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0321108 A1 - Document ID: US20180321108A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/585,733 - Filed: 2017-05-03 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-03 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Dariusz Oliwiusz Palys; Daniele Mascaro; Michael Thomas Maurer; Marcel Georg Rieker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180321108A1 ## CPC - G01M 3/025: {Details with respect to the testing of engines or engine parts} - G01M 3/26: by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors - G01M 3/022: {Test plugs for closing off the end of a pipe} - G01M 3/3272: {for verifying the internal pressure of closed containers} - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Various embodiments include a tool for leakage testing a component, along with a related testing method. In some cases, the tool includes: a seal assembly for sealing an opening in the component, the seal assembly having: a front plate defining a pressure chamber around the opening in the component; a collar coupled with the front plate and surrounding sidewalls of the component; an insert extending between the front plate and the collar; an annular seal member between the collar and the insert; and a floating seal between the collar and the front plate, wherein the seal assembly is configured to flexibly seal the opening in the component; and a valve for controlling fluid flow into the pressure chamber during the leakage testing of the component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool for leakage testing a component, the tool comprising: a seal assembly for sealing an opening in the component, the seal assembly having: a front plate defining a pressure chamber around the opening in the component; a collar coupled with the front plate and surrounding sidewalls of the component; an insert extending between the front plate and the collar; an annular seal member between the collar and the insert; and a floating seal between the collar and the front plate, wherein the seal assembly is configured to flexibly seal the opening in the component; and a valve for controlling fluid flow into the pressure chamber during the leakage testing of the component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, further comprising a frame for supporting the component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tool of claim 2, wherein the frame includes a base plate, a top plate, and a connecting rod coupling the base plate and the top plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the annular seal member permits the insert to move relative to the collar while maintaining a seal between the collar and the sidewalls of the component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the floating seal permits the front plate to move relative to the collar while maintaining a seal between the front plate and the collar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the collar includes an angled interface proximate the insert defining a space between the collar and the insert, wherein the annular seal member is sized to fill the space. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the collar further includes at least one retaining member for holding the component adjacent the pressure chamber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The tool of claim 7, wherein the at least one retaining member includes a set of alignment members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The tool of claim 8, wherein each of the set of alignment members is positioned to align the component within the collar and retain the component relative to the pressure chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls of the component include at least one uneven surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the collar includes a first sealing slot and the front plate includes a second sealing slot opposing the first sealing slot, the floating seal extending between the first sealing slot and the second sealing slot. ### Claim 12 A method of leakage testing a component, the method comprising: coupling a leakage testing tool to an opening in the component, the leakage testing tool having: a seal assembly for sealing an opening in the component, the seal assembly having: a front plate defining a pressure chamber around the opening in the component; a collar coupled with the front plate and surrounding sidewalls of the component; an insert extending between the front plate and the collar; an annular seal member between the collar and the insert; and a floating seal between the collar and the front plate; and a valve for controlling fluid flow into the pressure chamber; flowing a testing fluid into the pressure chamber and the opening in the component through the valve; and measuring a fluid flow or a pressure within the pressure chamber to detect a leak in the component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The tool of claim 12, wherein the leakage testing tool further includes a frame, wherein the coupling further includes securing the component within the frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the annular seal member permits the insert to move relative to the collar during the coupling of the leakage testing tool to the opening in the component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the floating seal permits the front plate to move relative to the collar during the coupling of the leakage testing tool to the opening in the component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the collar includes an angled interface proximate the insert defining a space between the collar and the insert, wherein the annular seal member fills the space during the flowing of the fluid into the pressure chamber and the opening. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the collar further includes at least one retaining member, the at least one retaining member holding the component adjacent the pressure chamber during the flowing of the fluid into the pressure chamber and the opening. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one retaining member includes a set of alignment members, wherein each of the set of alignment members aligns the component within the collar during the coupling. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the sidewalls of the component include at least one uneven surface having a surface roughness of greater than RA 5 micrometers, wherein the annular seal member flexibly seals against the uneven surface during the flowing of the fluid and the measuring of the fluid flow or the pressure in the pressure chamber. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the collar includes a first sealing slot and the front plate includes a second sealing slot opposing the first sealing slot, the floating seal extending between the first sealing slot and the second sealing slot and flexibly sealing the front plate to the collar during the flowing of the fluid and the measuring of the fluid flow or the pressure in the pressure chamber.