US 5,307,669 A · Method for testing a waterproof casing

Abstract

A method for testing a waterproof casing having a flexible watertight portion having a flexible waterproofing portion, which is compressed to establish a water tight seal, and a stationary watertight portion, in which the watertightness is established by an adhesive, using a test casing to serve as the adjoining element, wherein the flexible waterproofing portion and the test casing together define a closed chamber, and wherein an air pressure change can be effected in the chamber through the test casing. The method includes the steps of establishing a first air pressure in the closed chamber, less than atmospheric pressure, which causes elastic deformation of the flexible waterproofing portion, and subsequently detecting a change in internal air pressure of the closed chamber. The method further includes the steps of establishing a second air pressure in the closed chamber, less than atmospheric pressure, but greater than the first air pressure, which causes a smaller elastic deformation of the flexible waterproofing portion than the first air pressure and, subsequently detecting a change in internal air pressure of the closed chamber.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method for testing a waterproof casing having a flexible waterproofing member, comprising the steps of:

bringing said flexible waterproofing member into contact with an air pressure reduction casing to define a closed chamber;
reducing the internal air pressure of the closed chamber to a first negative air pressure sufficient to deform and bring the flexible waterproofing member into a sealing contact with the air pressure reducing casing regardless of any defect in said flexible waterproofing member;
and,
seeking to detect a change in internal air pressure of the closed chamber, whereby a defective portion of said waterproof casing other than a defect in said flexible waterproofing member can be detected in accordance with the change of internal air pressure.

1 more element

A method for testing a waterproof case element having (1) a flexible waterproofing portion, which, in use, is compressed against an adjoining element to establish a watertight seal, and (2) a permanent watertight portion, in which a watertight seal is established by an adhesive, said method employing a test casing to serve as the adjoining element to the flexible waterproofing portion, wherein the waterproof case element and the test casing together define a closed chamber within which an air pressure change can be effected, said method comprising the steps of:

pressurizing the closed chamber to a first negative air pressure;
seeking to detect a change in air pressure within the closed chamber after said first negative air pressure is established within said closed chamber;
pressurizing the closed chamber to a second negative air pressure if no air pressure change is detected within said closed chamber after said closed chamber is pressurized to said first negative air pressure, wherein said second negative air pressure differs from said first negative air pressure.
seeking to detect a change in air pressure within the closed chamber after said second negative air pressure is established within said closed chamber;
and,
determining that said waterproof case element is defective and the nature of the defect if and when a change in pressure is detected within said closed chamber after at least one of said first and second negative air pressures is established within said closed chamber.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for testing a waterproof casing

Life of this patent

Method for testing a waterproof casing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6