# US 2019/0376873 A1 · System and method for alternating-direct high voltage leak detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0376873 A1 - Document ID: US20190376873A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/074,146 - Filed: 2016-10-14 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-01 - Assignees: Packaging Technologies and Inspection, LLC - Applicants: Packaging Technologies & Inspection, LLC - Inventors: Undrakh BEKHTUR; Charles STAUFFER; Heinz WOLF; Oliver STAUFFER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190376873A1 ## CPC - G01M 3/40: by using electric means, e.g. by observing electric discharges - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A method and device for determining the existence of a leak in a package includes generating an AC high voltage with a DC high voltage offset in a circuit. A package is placed between an inspection electrode and a detection electrode, which are located within the circuit. The inspection electrode applies the AC high voltage with the DC high voltage offset to the package. Current flow through the package is then detected by the detection electrode. A detection board then processes the current flow and sends the processed signal to a programmable logic controller which determines if a leak is present in the package. If a leak is present, a signal is sent to a display to notify a user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A leak detection apparatus using an AC voltage with a DC high voltage offset comprising: an inspection electrode electrically connected to a high voltage rectifier; the high voltage rectifier further electrically connected to a pulse autotransformer or by other means of creating an AC voltage with a DC high voltage offset; a first DC voltage power supply electrically connected to the pulse autotransformer, the pulse autotransformer further electrically connected to a high voltage control board; a second DC voltage power supply electrically connected to the high voltage control board, a detection board, a programmable logic controller, and a display to supply them by power; a detection electrode electrically connected to the detection board, the detection board further electrically connected to the programmable logic controller, the programmable logic controller further electrically connected to the display; wherein the detection electrode and the inspection electrode are positioned such that a package fits between the detection electrode and the inspection electrode, and an AC voltage with a DC high voltage offset is applied through the inspection electrode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the high voltage control board can be, but is not limited to, combination of microprocessor and a MOSFET or IGBT; the microprocessor turns the MOSFET or IGBT on and off by generating pulses with certain duration and duty cycle which switches the current flow from the first DC power supply through the high voltage pulse autotransformer on and off; the switching on and off of the current through the high voltage pulse autotransformer generates an AC high voltage at outputs of the high voltage pulse autotransformer; the high voltage control board adjusts the amplitude of the generated AC high voltage by changing the duration and the duty cycle of the pulses generated by the microprocessor; ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the detection electrode detects an electrical current and transmits the electrical current to the detection circuit; the detection circuit processes the electrical current and sends the processed signal to the programmable logic controller; the programmable logic controller processes a change between the measured electrical current and a non-defective electrical current; the programmable logic controller identifies a leak in the container through the change in electrical current; and the display presents results of test. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the change in the electrical current ΔI is calculated by ΔI=I_D−I_WD, wherein ID is a current for a defective container and IWD is a current for a container without defect. I_D=AC/(R_Pro+Z_2)+(DC HV)/(R_Pro+R_4),wherein, Z_2=((1/(j2πfC_2)+R_2)*R_4)/((1/(j2π_2)+R_2)+R_4), and I_WD=AC/(R_Pro+Z_1+Z_2)+(DC HV)/(R_Pro+R_3+R_4), wherein Z_1=((1/(j2πfC_1)+R_1)*R_3)/((1/(j2π_1)+R_1)+R_3), and Z_2=((1/(j2πfC_2)+R_2)*R_4)/((1/(j2π_2)+R_2)+R_4). ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a holder, wherein the holder secures the package between the inspection electrode and the detection electrode during testing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the holder rotates the package along an axis during testing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the inspection electrode and detection electrode are movable along the length of the package during testing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a pulse transformer and the high voltage rectifier are used to generate the AC high voltage with the DC high voltage offset instead of the pulse autotransformer and the high voltage rectifier. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a conveyor system, wherein multiple packages are tested without user interference by a conveyor automatically moving packages between the inspection electrode and the detection electrode. ### Claim 11 A process for detecting leaks, comprising: using an AC voltage with a DC high voltage to inspect containers, such as ampoules, vials, syringes, pouches, flanges, aluminum pouches and any other containers filled with medicinal, food, and other products for defects such as leaks, pinholes, cracks, or seal defects in containers without contents and sealed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein 0.004 ppm of ozone is produced when 18.5 kVPk is applied over 5 minutes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising reducing the amount of voltage applied to a substance inside of the container. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein only 300 VPk is applied to product inside of a non-defective container when −18.5 kV total high voltage is applied. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising increasing sensitivity of measured change in electrical current. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein a ratio of signal levels for a container with defective seal and a container without defective seal is 7.7V/2.2V=3.5, when 10 kV total high voltage is applied. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising reducing production of ozone through leak detection testing.