Patent · US Active

Leak detection system with controlled differential pressure

US7707871B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
16References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 24, 2007
Grant dateMay 4, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 15, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01M3/229
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system for detecting leaks in a unit. The novel system includes a first mechanism for injecting a first gas into an interior or an exterior of the unit, a second mechanism for sampling gas from an exterior or an interior of the unit to determine if the first gas has leaked out of or into the unit, respectively, and a third mechanism for controlling a differential pressure between the interior and exterior of the unit during sampling. In an illustrative embodiment, the differential pressure is controlled by injecting a second gas into the exterior or interior of the unit to replace the sampled gas, and using pressure regulators to control the pressures of the first and second gases such that the differential pressure remains constant during sampling.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.