Leakage detection system

A method of testing for leaks in a test part by measuring the rate of leakage of a gas from the test part, said method of testing for leaks comprising the steps of:

• enclosing the test part in a substantially pressure sealed enclosure;
• enclosing a volume of gas in a reservoir;
• connecting the substantially pressure sealed enclosure to the enclosed volume of the reservoir;
• injecting a reference bias flow of gas into the connection between the enclosed volume of the reservoir and the substantially pressure sealed enclosure;
• and
• first measuring the algebraic sum of the reference bias flow of gas and a flow of gas passing through the connection between the substantially pressure sealed environment and the enclosed volume of the reservoir and identifying a leak when the algebraic sum of the reference bias flow of gas and the flow of gas passing between the substantially pressure sealed environment and the enclosed volume exceeds a predetermined amount.

A method of testing for leaks in a test part by measuring the rate of leakage of a gas from the test part, said method of testing for leaks comprising the steps of:

• connecting the test part to a supply of pressure;
• enclosing the test part in a sealable test enclosure having an input;
• enclosing a volume of gas in a reservoir;
• connecting the sealable test enclosure to an input of a leak sensor;
• connecting the enclosed volume to an output of the leak sensor;
• sealing the sealable test enclosure;
• injecting a reference bias flow of gas into the input of the leak sensor;
• and
• first measuring the algebraic sum of the reference bias flow of gas and a flow of gas between the sealable test enclosure and the enclosed volume and detecting a leak when the algebraic sum of the reference bias flow of gas and the flow of gas between the sealable test enclosure and the enclosed volume exceeds a predetermined amount.

A method of testing for leaks in a test part connected to a first connection line comprising:

• enclosing the test part in a sealable test enclosure which is connected by a second connection line to a reservoir enclosing a predetermined volume of gas;
• injecting a reference bias flow into the second connection line;
• first measuring a flow of gas in the second connection line to determine whether the sealable test enclosure is sealed;
• pressurizing the test part through said first connection line when said enclosure is determined by the first measuring step to be sealed;
• and
• second measuring the flow of gas in the second connection line after the test part is pressurized to identify leaks in the test part when the flow of gas in the second connection measured in the second measuring step exceeds a predetermined amount.