Sonic apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a gaseous substance in a closed space
US4574615A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1983 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L11/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a gaseous substance within a space bounded by an enclosure utilizes the fact that sound is not transmitted through a vacuum and is transmitted through the material of the enclosure. A sonic wave transmitter and a sonic wave receiver are engaged with the material of the enclosure and separated by the space. Using the calculated arrival times and/or amplitudes for the soundwave portions through the space and through the material of the enclosure, it can be determined whether a soundwave portion has passed through the space and thus a leakage of gaseous substance into the space above a threshold amount has taken place.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.