Optical vacuum leak detection device and method
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorPaul J. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention comprises a device and a method for determining if a system with multiple seals has a leak and, if so, which of the multiple seals is causing said leak. The device and method employ a change in the optical reflectivity of a transparent, plastic membrane due to pulling a vacuum on the seal to make the above mentioned determination.
Claims14
An optical leak detection device for seals or joints, comprising:
- an adhesive applied to outer edges of the seal or joint;
- at least one transparent, flexible membrane, having a size larger than the seal or joint, placed over the seal or joint, held in place by the adhesive, forming a gap therein and,
- means to pull a vacuum on a side of the seal or joint opposite to the membrane, wherein pulling a vacuum when no leak in the seal or joint exists results in no movement of the membrane and when a leak in the seal or joint exists results in the membrane directly contacting the seal or joint.
A method for detecting leaks in a seal or joint, comprising the steps of:
- applying adhesive to outer edges of a side of the seal or joint;
- placing a transparent, flexible membrane over the seal or joint so it is held in place by the adhesive, forming a gap between the membrane and the seal or joint;
- pulling a vacuum on a side of the seal or joint opposite to the membrane, wherein no leak in the seal or joint results in no movement by the membrane and a leak in the seal or joint results in the membrane directly contacting the seal or joint.
An optical leak detection device for seals or joints in devices having an internal pressure higher than ambient pressure, comprising:
- at least one transparent, flexible membrane, having a size larger than the seal or joint, placed over and contacting the seal or joint;
- a vacuum port on the transparent, flexible membrane;
- and,
- means to pull a vacuum connected to the vacuum port wherein pulling a vacuum when no leak in the seal or joint exists results in no movement of the membrane and when a leak in the seal or joint exists results in the membrane lifting away from the seal or joint, forming a gap between the membrane and the seal or joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.