Fuel tank leak detection apparatus
AssigneeExpertek, Inc.
InventorDonald C. Gates
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and device for testing for leaks in fuel tanks. The method requires a vacuum be drawn around the fuel tank while a test gas is injected into the tank. Any leaks in the tank will permit the test gas to be drawn into the vacuum chamber, the output of which is tested by a sensor sensitive to the test gas. The entire test is conducted assuring speed, accuracy and safety. The tank device contains a vacuum chamber which is molded directly upon the tank to be tested, thereby minimizing the size of the vacuum chamber. The device also contains a sealing system which is adjustable. An optional addition to the system is a method of localizing a leak that is detected.
Claims22
A method for detecting leaks in a fuel tank comprising the steps of loading said fuel tank into a substantially rigid vacuum chamber substantially conforming to the shape of said fuel tank;
- closing and sealing said vacuum chamber;
- sealing all ports of said fuel tank;
- evacuating said vacuum chamber;
- scavenging said vacuum chamber with filtered air;
- reducing the air pressure in said vacuum chamber rapidly by a first high-volume vacuum means, comparing the pressure in said vacuum chamber with preset pressure of a second high-sensitivity vacuum means, and opening said second vacuum means to said vacuum chamber and closing said first vacuum means to said vacuum chamber when the pressure in said vacuum chamber is equal to the pressure in said second vacuum means;
- injecting a pressurized test gas into said fuel tank;
- and
- sensing the output of said second vacuum means with a test gas sensing means.
A method for detecting leaks in a portion of a fluid containing chamber in an apparatus containing a vacuum chamber having a rigid interior, comprising the steps of:
- loading said portion of a fluid containing chamber into said vacuum chamber;
- closing and sealing said vacuum chamber;
- sealing all ports of said portion of a fluid containing chamber;
- injecting filtered air into said vacuum chamber;
- reducing the air pressure in said vacuum chamber to a test pressure by vacuum means;
- injecting a test fluid mixture into said portion of a fluid containing chamber;
- sensing the output of said vacuum means with a test fluid detecting means;
- upon detection of a leak, sequentially testing zones of the vacuum chamber for said leak by, for each zone, introducing into one end of said zone purified air at a pressure above said test pressure, causing a flow of air through said zone, outletting said flow of air at the opposite end of said zone through said vacuum means, and sensing the outlet of said vacuum means with said sensing means;
- and
- removing said portion of a fluid containing chamber from said vacuum chamber.
A method for detecting leaks in a portion of a fluid containing chamber in an apparatus containing a vacuum chamber having a rigid interior, comprising the steps of:
- loading said portion of a fluid containing chamber into said vacuum chamber;
- closing and sealing said vacuum chamber;
- sealing all ports of said portion of a fluid containing chamber;
- injecting filtered air into said vacuum chamber;
- reducing the air pressure in said vacuum chamber rapidly by a first high-volume vacuum means;
- comparing the pressure in said vacuum chamber with a preset pressure of a second high-sensitivity vacuum means;
- opening said second vacuum means to said vacuum chamber and closing said first vacuum means to said vacuum chamber when the pressure in said vacuum chamber is equal to the pressure in said second vacuum means;
- injecting a test fluid mixture into said portion of a fluid containing chamber;
- sensing the output of said vacuum means with a test fluid detecting means;
- and
- removing said portion of a fluid containing chamber from said vacuum chamber.
A method for detecting leaks in a portion of a fluid containing chamber comprising the steps of:
- loading said portion of a fluid containing chamber into a vacuum chamber;
- closing and sealing said vacuum chamber;
- sealing all ports of said portion of a fluid containing chamber;
- injecting filtered air into said vacuum chamber;
- reducing the air pressure in said vacuum chamber to a test pressure by vacuum means;
- injecting a test fluid mixture into said portion of a fluid containing chamber;
- sensing the output of said vacuum means with a test fluid detecting means;
- injecting scavenge air into said portion of a fluid containing chamber to remove said test gas mixture from said portion of a fluid containing chamber;
- and
- removing said portion of a fluid containing chamber from said vacuum chamber;
- further comprising a scavenging procedure upon the detection of said test fluid by said sensor consisting of:
- introducing filtered air into said vacuum chamber while maintaining the air pressure in said vacuum chamber below the ambient air pressure;
- reducing the air pressure in said vacuum chamber to said test pressure;
- and
- rapidly introducing filtered air into said vacuum chamber.
A leak detecting apparatus for a portion of a fluid containing chamber containing at least two ports comprising:
- a vacuum chamber have two portions, a stationary portion and a retractable portion, said vacuum chamber substantially conforming to the shape of said portion of a fluid containing chamber;
- an inlet manifold and a vacuum manifold integrally formed within said vacuum chamber;
- at least two reciprocable port seal assemblies insertable within said ports such that said fluid containing chamber is sealed to the flow of air;
- a fluid containing chamber exhaust manifold disposed within one of said port seal assemblies;
- a test fluid input means disposed within one of said port seal assemblies;
- a fluid containing chamber scavenge air input means disposed within one of said port seal assemblies;
- annular means for sealing said port seal assemblies at least partially inserted within said ports, said annular means disposed on said port seal assemblies;
- pneumatic means for reciprocating said retractable portion from said stationary portion;
- pneumatic means for reciprocating said port seal assemblies, inserting said port seal assemblies into said ports;
- a rapid vacuum means to quickly reduce the pressure in said vacuum chamber to a given test pressure connected to said vacuum manifold;
- a testing vacuum means to maintain the said test pressure in said vacuum chamber during testing connected to said vacuum manifold;
- air inlet means for introducing air into said vacuum chamber, said air inlet means connected to said inlet manifold;
- and
- test fluid detecting means exposed to the outflow of said testing vacuum means.
A leak detecting apparatus for a portion of a fluid containing chamber containing at least two ports comprising:
- a vacuum chamber having two portions, a stationary portion and a retractable portion, said two portions being rigid, said vacuum chamber configured to enclose and substantially conform to said portion of a fluid containing chamber, creating and maintaining a substantially uniform and narrow space between said vacuum chamber and said portion of a fluid containing chamber, said portion of a fluid containing chamber further being supported along the surface of said portion of a fluid containing chamber in said vacuum chamber;
- port seal assemblies insertable within said ports, sealing said portion of a fluid containing chamber when inserted therein;
- means for inputting a test fluid into said portion of a fluid containing chamber disposed within one of said port seal assemblies;
- means for reciprocating said retractable portion from said stationary portion;
- vacuum means pneumatically connected to said vacuum chamber for reducing the pressure in said vacuum chamber;
- air inlet means for introducing air into said vacuum chamber;
- and
- test fluid detecting means exposed to said vacuum means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.