System and method for colorimetric detection of gas leaks
OwnerJeffrey L. Ellis, Jeffrey J. Boyce +2inventors
InventorsJeffrey L. Ellis, Jeffrey J. Boyce, Jerry E. Gould, Douglas M. Myers
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Abstract
A system for detecting gas leaks, comprising a first liquid material configured to be deposited on a substrate to be tested for a gas leak; a second liquid material configured to be deposited on the first material and to cross-link therewith, thereby forming a solid, wherein when a challenge gas contacts the solid through a leak in the substrate, a visible colorimetric change occurs in the solid, thereby marking the location of the gas leak on the substrate.
Claims20
A system for detecting gas leaks, comprising:
- (a) a first liquid material configured to be deposited on a substrate to be tested for a gas leak;
- (b) a second liquid material configured to be deposited on the first material and to cross-link therewith, thereby forming a solid,
- (c) wherein when a challenge gas contacts the solid through a leak in the substrate, a visible colorimetric change occurs in the solid, thereby marking the location of the gas leak on the substrate.
A method for detecting gas leaks, comprising:
- (a) depositing a first liquid material on an item to be tested for a gas leak;
- (b) depositing a second liquid material on the first material, wherein the second material cross-links with the first material and forms a solid;
- (c) flowing a challenge gas into the item to be tested,
- (d) wherein when the challenge gas contacts the solid through a leak in the item to be tested, a visible colorimetric change occurs in the solid, thereby marking the location of the gas leak on the item.
A method for detecting gas leaks, comprising:
- (a) depositing a first liquid material on an item to be tested for a gas leak, wherein the first liquid material is a mixture that includes potassium iodide, potassium chloride, or sodium chloride;
- polyvinyl acetate or polyvinyl alcohol;
- sodium bicarbonate;
- and optionally, starch;
- (b) depositing a second liquid material on the first material, wherein the second liquid material is a saline solution that includes boric acid as an active cross-linking agent;
- or water that includes sodium borate as an active cross-linking agent, and wherein the second material cross-links with the first material and forms a solid;
- (c) flowing a challenge gas into the item to be tested,
- (d) wherein when the challenge gas contacts the solid through a leak in the item to be tested, a visible colorimetric change occurs in the solid, thereby marking the location of the gas leak on the item;
- and
- (e) removing the solid from the tested item.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.