Bubble emission volume quantifier
AssigneeExpertek, Inc.
InventorsDon A. Peake, Brian M. Weymouth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus and method for detecting a leak from an object. A bubble collecting tube is used for collecting bubbles emitted from an object and a bubble detecting assembly adjacent the bubble collecting tube is used for detecting a predetermined volume of bubbles collected in the bubble collecting tube to indicate a leak in the object.
Claims16
An apparatus for detecting a leak from an object, comprising:
- a bubble collecting device for collecting bubbles emitted from an object;
- a bubble detecting assembly adjacent at a predetermined angle to said bubble collecting device for detecting a predetermined volume of bubbles collected to indicate a leak;
- timer means;
- bubble sensing means for detecting the passage of a bubble into said bubble collecting device;
- switch means for starting said timer upon the detection of the passage of a bubble into said bubble collecting device;
- and
- means for signalling a test failure upon detecting said predetermined volume of bubbles before said timer reaches a predetermined time.
A method for testing for a leak from an object submerged in a liquid, comprising the steps of:
- collecting bubbles emitted from said object in a bubble collecting means;
- detecting a volume of bubbles collected with a bubble detecting means adjacent with the bubble collecting means to indicate a leak in the object;
- and
- initiating a start test when a bubble passes through an optic area defined by a photoelectric emitter and a photoelectric receptor on opposing sides of said collecting means or said detecting means.
A method for testing for a leak from an object submerged in a liquid, comprising the steps of:
- collecting bubbles emitted from said object in a bubble collecting means;
- detecting a volume of bubbles collected with a bubble detecting means adjacent with the bubble collecting means to indicate a leak in the object;
- and
- initiating the volume detection upon the detection of an initial bubble entering the bubble detecting means.
An apparatus for detecting a leak in an object submerged in a liquid, comprising:
- bubble collecting means for collecting bubbles escaping from the object;
- bubble detecting means adjacent said bubble collecting means for detecting a predetermined volume of bubbles collected to indicate a leak;
- sensor means for detecting the passage of a bubble through said bubble collecting means;
- and
- means for measuring the time to collect said predetermined volume of bubbles after detecting the passage of a bubble through said bubble collecting means.
An apparatus for detecting a leak in an object submerged in a liquid, comprising:
- bubble collecting means for collecting bubble escaping from the object;
- an optical sensor bubble detecting means adjacent said bubble collecting means for detecting a predetermined volume of bubbles collected to indicate a leak;
- and
- sensor means for detecting the passage of a bubble through said bubble collecting means.
An apparatus for detecting a leak in an object submerged in a liquid, comprising:
- bubble collecting means for collecting bubbles escaping from the object;
- an electrical current sensor bubble detecting means adjacent said bubble collecting means for detecting a predetermined volume of bubbles collected to indicate a leak;
- and
- sensor means for detecting the passage of a bubble through said bubble collecting means.
An apparatus for detecting a leak in an object submerged in a liquid, comprising:
- bubble collecting means for collecting bubbles escaping from the object;
- bubble detecting means adjacent said bubble collecting means for detecting a predetermined volume of bubbles collected to indicate a leak;
- and
- an optical sensor means for detecting the passage of a bubble through said bubble collecting means.
An apparatus for detecting a lead in an object submerged in a liquid, comprising:
- bubble collecting means for collecting bubbles escaping from the object;
- bubble detecting means adjacent said bubble collecting means for detecting a predetermined volume of bubbles collected to indicate a leak;
- and
- an electrical current sensor means for detecting the passage of a bubble through said bubble collecting means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.