Method of measuring vacuum pressure in sealed vials
OwnerDavid John Powellinventor
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Abstract
The present invention provides a fast and accurate method of measuring the vacuum pressure in a sealed glass vial or other electrically non-conductive vessel. In the method the vial or vessel to be tested is placed between a pair of electrodes. The gas contained within the vial or vessel is ionized by applying a high frequency, high voltage potential across the electrodes. The voltage is progressively decreased once ionization has occurred and the termination of ionization is detected by registering either the sudden drop in electrode current or the termination of light emission from the vial. The gas pressure within the vial or vessel is derived as a function of the electrode voltage at the point at which ionization terminates.
Claims19
A method of measuring the vacuum pressure within a sealed vial or vessel comprising the following steps:
- a) placing the vial or vessel between a pair of electrodes,
- b) ionizing the gas contained within the vial or vessel by applying a high frequency, high voltage potential across the electrodes,
- c) progressively decreasing the voltage once ionization has occurred,
- d) detecting the termination of ionization,
- e) deriving the gas pressure within the vial or vessel as a function of the electrode voltage at the point at which ionization terminates.
A method of measuring the vacuum pressure within a vial or vessel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.