Leak detection of sealed objects using x-ray imaging
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsKiong Chin Chng, Cheng Yun Audrey Wong
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Abstract
A method of detecting a leak in a sealed object includes placing the sealed object into a chamber and introducing an x-ray attenuating gas into the chamber. The method also includes observing, by way of x-ray imaging, the transfer of the x-ray attenuating gas between the sealed object and the chamber.
Claims32
A method of detecting a leak in a sealed object, comprising:
- placing the sealed object into a chamber;
- introducing an x-ray attenuating gas into the chamber;
- and
- observing, by way of x-ray imaging, a transfer of the x-ray attenuating gas from the chamber into the sealed object.
A method of detecting a leak in a sealed object, comprising:
- placing the sealed object into a chamber, the sealed object being filled with an x-ray attenuating gas at a pressure that is between 5×104 Pa and 1.5×105 Pa;
- removing air from the chamber such that the pressure in the chamber is less than 104 Pa;
- and
- observing, by way of x-ray imaging, a transfer of the x-ray attenuating gas from the sealed object into the chamber.
A system for detecting a leak in a sealed object, comprising:
- a chamber, into which the sealed object can be placed;
- a vacuum pump that removes a substantial portion of ambient gas from the chamber while the sealed object is inside the chamber;
- and
- an x-ray imaging device that senses a transfer of the x-ray attenuating gas from the sealed object into the chamber.
A system for detecting a leak in a sealed object, comprising:
- a chamber, into which the sealed object is placed;
- an x-ray attenuating gas source that creates a gas pressure within the chamber that is higher than the gas pressure within the sealed object;
- and
- an x-ray imaging device that senses the transfer of the x-ray attenuating gas from the chamber into the sealed object.
A system for detecting a leak in a sealed object, comprising:
- means for enclosing a sealed object;
- means for filling the means for enclosing the sealed object with an x-ray attenuating gas;
- and
- means for imaging the sealed object using a device that senses the transfer of the x-ray attenuating gas between the means for enclosing the sealed object and the sealed object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.