Instrument and method for detecting and reporting the size of leaks in hermetically sealed packaging
US7578170B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2005 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M3/227
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An instrument for detecting leaks in a hermetically sealed package. The instrument includes (i) a hollow needle, (ii) a mass flow rate sensor in sealed fluid communication with the lumen defined by the hollow needle, and (iii) a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the needle for evacuating gas from the hermetically sealed package, and in fluid communication with the mass flow rate sensor for directing mass flow from the evacuated package into operable contact with the mass flow rate sensor so as to permit sensing of any continuing mass flow from the evacuated package. The instrument may further include an oxygen sensor, also in sealed fluid communication with the lumen defined by the hollow needle for analyzing the oxygen concentration of the gas within the hermetically sealed package.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.