Systems and methods for detecting and locating leaks in internal pressure vessels
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorCharles E. Hagar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for detecting and locating leaks in internal pressure vessels. A method generally includes forming a pressurizing cavity external to and adjacent an internal pressure vessel. A pressurized fluid is injected into the pressurizing cavity to cause pressurized fluid to flow from the pressurizing cavity through a leak into the internal pressure vessel. The internal pressure vessel is monitored to detect leakage of pressurized fluid into the internal pressure vessel.
Claims24
A method of detecting leaks in a fuel tank without having to remove the fuel tank from the mobile platform, the fuel tank being disposed within a cavity defined by mobile platform supporting structure, the method comprising:
- sealing a cavity annulus defined generally between the fuel tank and the mobile platform supporting structure;
- introducing pressurized fluid into the cavity annulus to cause pressurized fluid to flow from the cavity annulus through a leak into the fuel tank;
- monitoring the fuel tank to detect leakage of pressurized fluid into the fuel tank;
- and
- wherein the fuel tank remains disposed within the cavity defined by the mobile platform supporting structure during said sealing, introducing, and monitoring.
A method of detecting leaks in an internal pressure vessel, the method comprising:
- forming a pressurizing cavity external to and adjacent the internal pressure vessel;
- testing the pressurization sufficiency of the pressurizing cavity, the testing including introducing pressurized fluid into the pressurizing cavity and monitoring the pressurizing cavity for leaks;
- introducing a different pressurized fluid into the pressurizing cavity to cause the different pressurized fluid to flow from the cavity through a leak into the internal pressure vessel;
- and
- monitoring the internal pressure vessel to detect leakage of the different pressurized fluid into the internal pressure vessel.
A method of locating leaks in an internal pressure vessel without having to remove the internal pressure vessel from a cavity defined by supporting structure in which the internal pressure vessel is disposed, the method comprising:
- sealing a cavity annulus defined generally between the internal pressure vessel and the supporting structure;
- introducing pressurized fluid into the cavity annulus to cause pressurized fluid to flow from the cavity annulus through a leak into the internal pressure vessel;
- positioning an isolation cup over a fitting within the internal pressure vessel;
- using a detection device in communication with the isolation cup to detect leakage of pressurized fluid into the isolation cup;
- and
- wherein the internal pressure vessel remains disposed within the cavity defined by the supporting structure during said sealing, introducing, positioning, and using.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.