Variable speed primary pumping in a tracer gas leak detector
US6354141B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M3/20
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a system in accordance with the invention for detecting leaks, a mass spectrometer is connected to the aspiration side of a secondary pump whose discharge side is connected to the aspiration side of a primary pump driven by a rotational drive system adapted to vary the rotation speed of the primary pump between at least two different rotation speeds. An aspiration inlet is selectively connected by control valves either to the aspiration side of the primary pump or to the aspiration side or an intermediate area of the secondary pump. Variation of the rotation speed of the primary pump is used to perform faster pre-evacuation before the test, to detect grosser leaks, to compensate for a high level of outgassing or to adapt the sensitivity of the device, and equally to eliminate helium background noise from the primary pump.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.