In-situ gloveport glove leak tester

Abstract

The invention provides a system for detecting leaks in glovebox gloves, the system having a first seal within a glovebox aperture; a second seal contacting exterior surfaces of a glovebox, wherein the exterior surfaces define a periphery of the aperture; a first fluid supply for circumferentially expanding the first seal against center facing surfaces of the aperture to a first pressure; a second fluid supply for inflating the glove to a second pressure; and a pressure gauge for detecting a pressure decrease of the second pressure. Also provided is an in situ method for detecting leaks in glove box gloves, the method having the steps of applying a radially directed force to inside surfaces of cuffs of the gloves to hermetically seal the gloves from the exterior of the glovebox, thereby establishing a seal; inflating the gloves to a pressure; and monitoring the pressure for any decrease in pressure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.