An airtight intelligent measuring instrument

Abstract

The application discloses airtight intelligent measuring instrument, including two elastic bending arc-shaped side plates, the bottom edge between two arc-shaped side plates is connected through the bottom wall sealing plate of elastic deformation, and the minimum width between two arc-shaped side plates is less than the interval between two adjacent corrugated plates; the two ends of two arc-shaped side plates are connected with end sealing members respectively, the cavity with open upper end is surrounded through the bottom wall sealing plate, two arc-shaped side plates and two end sealing members, and the bottom wall sealing plate is provided with an air inlet pipe; the outer surface of each arc-shaped side plate is provided with a sealing layer; including end clamping members; the end clamping members include a screw rod, a lower clamping plate rotatably connected to the lower end of the screw rod and an upper clamping plate threadedly connected to the upper portion of the screw rod, and the upper clamping plate and the lower clamping plate are clamped to the upper and lower ends of two arc-shaped side plates by tightening the bolt. The application overcomes the technical problem that conventional weld joint detectors cannot be applied to the arc-shaped weld joint of ultra-thin corrugated plates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of measuring instrument technology, and specifically relates to an intelligent airtightness measuring instrument. Background Technology

[0002] Electric vehicles, as the future direction of transportation, have many advantages (such as being environmentally friendly, quiet, fast, and low-cost), but compared to gasoline vehicles, they still have the problem of long charging times. Now, fuel cell vehicles (hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, solid oxide fuel cell vehicles, etc.) have overcome the technical challenge of long charging times, achieving extremely short refueling times, with hydrogen refueling completed in 3-5 minutes (similar to refueling a gasoline vehicle).

[0003] To improve the thermal efficiency of fuel cells, fuel cell vehicles are equipped with heat exchangers for recovering exhaust heat. For example, a cylindrical heat exchanger is mounted on the outside of a cylindrical fuel cell stack, combining the heat exchanger and the fuel cell stack to form a stack heat exchanger assembly, which improves the space utilization of the engine compartment. Existing cylindrical heat exchangers are formed by welding two 0.1-0.3mm thick, spiral-shaped corrugated plates. Specifically, the welding method involves aligning and pressing the two long edges of the corrugated plates together, welding them together in one go along the long edges. However, the corrugated plates are too thin to be repaired by welding. The larger the heat exchanger, the longer the welded edge, and the longer the welded edge, the more difficult it is to guarantee a one-time forming, requiring extremely high welding precision. If a leak is found during post-weld airtightness testing, not only are both corrugated plates scrapped, but it also results in significant labor and time costs, severely hindering manufacturing efficiency. To reduce the scrap rate, the existing welding method uses an arc-shaped strip sandwiched between the two edges to be welded. This has several advantages: firstly, it standardizes the weld width, improving weld quality; secondly, it makes the curvature of the welded edge more uniform, and the arc-shaped strip itself is thicker than the corrugated plate, allowing for appropriate repair welding. After each section is welded, an airtightness test is performed. If a leak is found, it is repaired immediately. If repair is not possible, the piece is scrapped, and welding continues to the next item. This method significantly saves time and improves production efficiency.

[0004] While the optimized welding method does improve the manufacturing efficiency of heat exchangers, the airtightness testing of the aforementioned curved weld edges presents another technical challenge for the following reasons:

[0005] 1. The corrugated plate itself is very thin, the weld thickness formed by the welding edge is also thin, and the pores formed are extremely small. The existing weld PT test method (liquid penetration test) uses the capillary effect to draw the test liquid into the weld layer present in the weld. Without pressure, the test liquid cannot penetrate into the thin and extremely small pores, so the existing weld PT test method is not applicable.

[0006] 2. The corrugated plate has irregular welded edges. Ultrasonic testing relies on good coupling between the probe and the workpiece surface. The structure is too complex for ultrasonic testing or eddy current testing, so ultrasonic testing or eddy current testing is not applicable.

[0007] 3. Because the weld length is relatively long, there is a lot of overlap in the width direction. If radiographic inspection is used, there are too many overlapping areas, making it impossible to distinguish between defects and normal weld spots.

[0008] 4. The space between the two corrugated plates is narrow and arc-shaped, making it impossible for other types of airtightness testing equipment to enter the narrow arc-shaped space, thus limiting the testing space.

[0009] In summary, there is currently a lack of an airtightness testing instrument applicable to the curved welded edges of corrugated plates. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an intelligent airtightness measuring instrument, comprising two elastically bendable arc-shaped side plates. The bottom edges of the two arc-shaped side plates are connected by an elastically deformable bottom wall sealing plate, and the minimum width between the two arc-shaped side plates is less than the spacing between two adjacent corrugated plates. End seals are connected to both ends of the two arc-shaped side plates, forming an open cavity at the top through the bottom wall sealing plate, the two arc-shaped side plates, and the two end seals. The bottom wall sealing plate is provided with an air inlet pipe. A sealing layer is provided on the outer surface of each arc-shaped side plate. The instrument also includes an end clamping component. The end clamping component includes a screw, a lower clamping plate rotatably connected to the lower end of the screw, and an upper clamping plate threadedly connected to the upper part of the screw. The upper and lower clamping plates are clamped to the upper and lower ends of the two arc-shaped side plates by tightening the bolts.

[0011] The preferred embodiment of the airtightness intelligent measuring instrument in this invention is as follows: An arc-shaped tie rod is fitted onto the upper part of each screw. Two arc-shaped tie rods extend towards the center, and their ends are connected by a reverse-threaded bolt. By rotating the reverse-threaded bolt, the two arc-shaped tie rods pull the two screws together towards the center. The arc-shaped tie rods and the reverse-threaded bolt work together to bring the two screws together, providing positive pressure for subsequent airtightness installation.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the airtightness intelligent measuring instrument of the present invention is as follows: the end seal includes a lower baffle with a U-shaped cross-section, the two side walls of the lower baffle having T-shaped cross-sections, and the middle of the lower baffle being elastically deformable. Each of the arc-shaped side plates has T-grooves at both ends. The lower baffle is inserted longitudinally into the corresponding T-grooves of the two arc-shaped side plates through the two side walls, thereby sealing both ends of the cavity. Further, the end seal also includes an upper baffle connected to the upper end of the lower baffle; the upper baffle is elastically deformable and its width is not less than the distance between the two corrugated plates. The upper baffle has a V-shaped cross-section and extends obliquely upwards towards the cavity to cover the end face of the arc-shaped strip between the two corrugated plates. The end seal has two functions: firstly, the lower baffle acts as a side wall of the cavity, and the lower baffle and the upper baffle together seal the cavity. Secondly, both the middle part of the lower baffle and the upper baffle can undergo elastic deformation. After being pressurized, they can expand accordingly as the distance between the two arc-shaped side plates increases, thus making them suitable for heat exchangers of different sizes.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the intelligent airtightness measuring instrument in this invention are as follows:

[0014] 1. The arc-shaped side plate, bottom wall sealing plate, and end seals form an arc-shaped sealing cover with variable volume. The upper end of the arc-shaped sealing cover is open. The arc-shaped sealing cover is installed directly below the arc-shaped strip through the end clamping parts. It provides a dedicated airtightness testing instrument for weld quality inspection during the manufacturing process of the vortex heat exchanger. It is compatible with the optimized welding process, which can detect and deal with problems early, thereby improving the production efficiency of the vortex heat exchanger.

[0015] 2. The opening of the arc-shaped sealing cover is sealed by the weld seam directly above. Gas is filled into the arc-shaped sealing cover. If the weld seam has no pores (including tiny pores), there is no air leakage, and the weld seam is defect-free; if there is air leakage, the airtightness of the weld seam does not meet the standard. The gas filling and pressure holding method is the most direct and effective testing method for sealed workpieces, overcoming the technical difficulty that conventional weld seam inspection instruments cannot be applied to arc-shaped weld seams. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the airtightness intelligent measuring instrument of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0018] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the airtightness intelligent measuring instrument of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the airtightness intelligent measuring instrument of the present invention installed on a heat exchanger.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A three-dimensional image;

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified image is hidden behind a corrugated board.

[0022] Reference numerals: 1. Arc-shaped side plate; 2. Bottom wall sealing plate; 3. Support rod; 4. End seal; 5. Lower baffle; 6. T-slot; 7. Upper baffle; 8. End clamping piece; 9. Screw; 10. Lower clamping plate; 11. Upper clamping plate; 12. Pressing block; 13. Exhaust pipe; 14. Intake pipe; 15. Handle; 16. Arc-shaped pull rod; 17. Reverse thread bolt; 18. Arc-shaped strip. Detailed Implementation

[0023] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the inventors of this invention, through long-term research and extensive practice, have proposed the technical solution of this invention. The technical solution, its implementation process, and principles will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation examples in the embodiments of this application.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment provides an intelligent airtightness measuring instrument, including two elastically bendable arc-shaped side plates 1. The bottom edges of the two arc-shaped side plates 1 are connected by an elastically deformable bottom wall sealing plate 2, and the minimum width between the two arc-shaped side plates 1 is less than the distance between two adjacent corrugated plates. The arc-shaped side plates 1 are made of metal, such as stainless steel sheets, which can be bent within a certain range and have high structural strength. The bottom wall sealing plate 2 is made of rubber. As the distance between the two arc-shaped side plates 1 increases, the bottom wall sealing plate 2 is stretched accordingly, but still maintains a sealed connection with the arc-shaped side plates 1. In addition, each arc-shaped side plate 1 has a sealing layer on its outer surface, and each arc-shaped side plate 1 has six vertical support rods 3 on its upper edge. The function of the support rods 3 is to maintain the distance between the upper end of the arc-shaped side plate 1 and the arc-shaped strip 18. Since the weld is between the arc-shaped strip 18 and the corrugated plate, if the upper end of the arc-shaped side plate 1 is pressed tightly against the arc-shaped strip 18, it may block the pores of the weld. The support rod 3 can fully expose all the welds of the arc strip 18 above the cavity, which helps to improve the accuracy of airtightness testing.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, end seals 4 are connected to both ends of the two arc-shaped side plates 1, forming an open cavity at the top through the bottom sealing plate 2, the two arc-shaped side plates 1, and the two end seals 4. Specifically, the end seals 4 include a lower baffle 5 with a U-shaped cross-section. The cross-sectional shape of the two side walls of the lower baffle 5 is T-shaped, and the middle of the lower baffle 5 is elastically deformable. Each arc-shaped side plate 1 has a T-groove 6 at both ends. The lower baffle 5 is inserted longitudinally into the corresponding T-groove 6 of the two arc-shaped side plates 1 through the two side walls of the lower baffle 5, thereby sealing both ends of the cavity. Further, the end seals 4 also include an upper baffle 7 connected to the upper end of the lower baffle 5. The upper baffle 7 is elastically deformable and its width is not less than the distance between the two corrugated plates. The cross-sectional shape of the upper baffle 7 is V-shaped, and the upper baffle 7 extends obliquely upwards into the cavity to cover the end face of the arc strip 18 between the two corrugated plates. The upper baffle 7 and the lower baffle 5 are also made of rubber. The side wall of the lower baffle 5 is inserted into the T-groove 6 of the arc-shaped side plate 1, forming a sealed connection. If the upper baffle 7 and the lower baffle 5 are worn and the seal fails, the end seal 4 can be replaced through the T-groove 6.

[0026] This embodiment also includes end clamping components 8, with one end clamping component 8 at each end of the arc-shaped side plate 1. The end clamping component 8 includes a screw 9, a lower clamping plate 10 rotatably connected to the lower end of the screw 9, and an upper clamping plate 11 threadedly connected to the upper part of the screw 9. An arc-shaped pull rod 16 is fitted onto the upper part of each screw 9. The two arc-shaped pull rods 16 extend towards the middle, and the ends of the two pull rods are connected by a reverse thread bolt 17. By rotating the reverse thread bolt 17, the two arc-shaped pull rods 16 pull the two screws 9 closer together. In addition, the screw 9 is provided with a clamping block 12 facing the corresponding upper baffle 7, and the upper end of the screw 9 is provided with a handle 15 for rotating the screw 9.

[0027] This embodiment also includes an air-pressurizing station. The bottom sealing plate 2 is provided with an air inlet pipe 14 and an exhaust pipe 13 with a concentration sensor. The exhaust pipe 13 and the air inlet pipe 14 are respectively connected to the air-pressurizing station.

[0028] In this embodiment, the two arc-shaped side plates 1, the bottom wall sealing plate 2, and the two end seals 4 are combined to form an arc-shaped sealing cover with an open top. This embodiment provides an airtightness testing method, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0029] The first step is to install the arc-shaped sealing cover: After the arc-shaped strip 18 is welded and fixed between two corrugated plates (the arc-shaped strip 18 is welded flush with the upper or lower edge of the corrugated plate), wait for the weld to cool to room temperature, and then insert the arc-shaped sealing cover from the empty space next to the arc-shaped strip 18 directly below the arc-shaped strip 18, and the lower baffles 5 of the two end seals 4 respectively cover the two end faces of the arc-shaped strip 18.

[0030] The second step, as Figure 3and Figure 4 As shown, the space at both ends of the sealed weld is as follows: two end clamping pieces 8 extend from both ends of the arc-shaped sealing cover, and both lower clamping plates 10 are clamped under the bottom wall sealing plate 2, and both upper clamping plates 11 are clamped on the top of the weld. Then, the two screws 9 are pre-tightened, causing the two lower clamping plates 10 to move the arc-shaped sealing cover upward, the upper end of the support rod 3 contacts the lower part of the arc-shaped strip 18, the reverse thread bolt 17 is tightened, and the two arc-shaped pull rods 16 tighten the two screws 9, so that the clamping block 12 presses the end sealing piece 4 against the end face of the arc-shaped strip 18. After being pressed, the end sealing piece 4 is pressed between the two corrugated plates. Finally, the two screws 9 are tightened, and the upper end of the support rod 3 presses against the lower part of the arc-shaped strip 18. The V-shaped upper baffle 7 structure is used, and its deformation direction is towards the two corrugated plates on both sides, so that the two ends of the upper baffle 7 are pressed against the two corrugated plates, and the side of the upper baffle 7 is pressed against the end of the arc strip 18, thereby sealing the two ends of the weld.

[0031] The third step is to seal the space below the weld: the air pressurization station pressurizes air into the air inlet pipe 14, the exhaust pipe 13 is blocked, the arc-shaped sealing cover expands, and the two arc-shaped side plates 1 are pressed tightly against the two adjacent corrugated plates in a one-to-one correspondence. The sealing layer is compressed and the cavity is sealed, thereby sealing the space below the weld.

[0032] Step 4, Pressure Holding Test: The inflation and pressurization station slowly introduces colored gas (e.g., reddish-brown NO2) into the intake pipe 14, and slowly discharges air through the exhaust pipe 13 until the concentration value detected by the concentration sensor reaches the set value. Then, the exhaust pipe 13 is sealed, the gas supply is stopped, and pressure is maintained. If there is no leakage of colored gas during the pressure holding period, there are no leaks in the weld; otherwise, if there is a leak, the leak point is marked, and the gas seal check is completed.

[0033] The above method utilizes air at a certain pressure to rapidly inflate the arc-shaped sealing cover, instantly increasing its volume through elastic deformation. The sealing layer adheres to the uneven surface of the corrugated plate, sealing the gap between the arc-shaped side plate 1 and the corrugated plate, thus completing the seal between the arc-shaped sealing cover and the corrugated plate, as well as between the corrugated plates and the two ends of the arc-shaped strip 18. Finally, a colored gas is used to detect the airtightness. If there is a leak, it can be visually identified. Compared with existing detection methods, this method is simple, direct, and effective, and can be adapted to uneven corrugated plate surfaces and heat exchangers of different sizes, thus forming an airtightness testing instrument suitable for the arc-shaped welded edges of corrugated plates.

[0034] It should be understood that the above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. It should not be considered that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent airtightness measuring instrument, characterized in that: It includes two flexible, curved side plates, with their bottom edges connected by a flexible, deformable bottom wall sealing plate. The minimum width between the two curved side plates is less than the spacing between two adjacent corrugated plates. Curved strips are welded and fixed between the two corrugated plates. End seals are connected to both ends of the two curved side plates. The bottom wall sealing plate, the two curved side plates, and the two end seals form a curved sealing cover with an opening at the top. The opening is sealed by a weld at the top, and the bottom wall sealing plate is equipped with an air inlet pipe. Each curved side plate has a sealing layer on its outer surface. It includes an end clamping component; the end clamping component includes a screw, a lower clamping plate rotatably connected to the lower end of the screw, and an upper clamping plate connected to the upper part of the screw by threads. The upper and lower clamping plates are clamped to the upper and lower ends of two arc-shaped side plates by tightening the bolts.

2. The airtightness intelligent measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each screw is fitted with an arc-shaped tie rod at the top. The two arc-shaped tie rods extend towards the middle and are connected at the ends by a reverse thread bolt. By rotating the reverse thread bolt, the two arc-shaped tie rods pull the two screws together towards the middle.

3. The airtightness intelligent measuring instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that: The end seal includes a lower baffle with a concave cross-section. The cross-sectional shape of the two side walls of the lower baffle is T-shaped, and the middle part of the lower baffle is elastically deformable. Each arc-shaped side plate has a T-groove at both ends. The lower baffle is inserted longitudinally into the corresponding T-groove of the two arc-shaped side plates through the two side walls of the lower baffle, thereby sealing the two ends of the cavity.

4. The airtightness intelligent measuring instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that: The end seal also includes an upper baffle connected to the upper end of the lower baffle; the upper baffle is elastically deformable and its width is not less than the distance between the two corrugated plates, the cross-sectional shape of the upper baffle is V-shaped and the upper baffle extends obliquely upward toward the cavity to cover the end face of the arc strip between the two corrugated plates.

5. The airtightness intelligent measuring instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each screw is located outside the corresponding end seal, and the screw is provided with a clamping block that is directly opposite the corresponding upper baffle.

6. The airtightness intelligent measuring instrument according to claim 5, characterized in that: Multiple support rods are provided on the upper edge of both curved side plates.

7. The airtightness intelligent measuring instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that: It includes an air-pressurizing station; the bottom wall sealing plate is equipped with an exhaust pipe with a concentration sensor, and the exhaust pipe and the air inlet pipe are respectively connected to the air-pressurizing station.

8. A method for testing airtightness, characterized in that: The steps for applying this to the intelligent airtightness measuring instrument according to claim 7 are as follows: S1. Two arc-shaped side plates, a bottom sealing plate, and two end seals are combined to form an arc-shaped sealing cover with an open top. The arc-shaped sealing cover is inserted from the gap between the two corrugated plates directly below the arc-shaped strip after welding and fixing, and the lower baffles of the two end seals cover the two ends of the arc-shaped strip respectively. S2. The two end clamping pieces extend into the gap from both ends of the arc-shaped sealing cover, and both lower clamping plates are clamped under the bottom wall sealing plate, and both upper clamping plates are clamped above the weld. S3. The two screws are pre-tightened, causing the two lower clamping plates to move the arc-shaped sealing cover upward. The upper end of the support rod contacts the lower part of the arc strip. The reverse thread bolt is tightened, and the two arc-shaped tie rods pull the two screws together, so that the clamping block presses the end seal against the end face of the arc strip. After being pressed, the end seal is pressed between the two corrugated plates. S4. Tighten the two screws so that the upper end of the support rod is pressed against the bottom of the arc-shaped strip; S5. The air-pressurizing station pressurizes air into the air inlet pipe, the exhaust pipe is blocked, the arc-shaped sealing cover expands, and the two arc-shaped side plates are pressed tightly against the two adjacent corrugated plates one by one, the sealing layer is compressed, and the cavity is sealed. S6. The gas filling and pressurizing station slowly introduces colored gas into the inlet pipe and slowly discharges air through the exhaust pipe until the concentration value detected by the concentration sensor reaches the set value. Then, the exhaust pipe is blocked, the gas supply is stopped, and the pressure is maintained. S7. If there is no leakage of colored gas during the pressure holding period, there are no leaks in the weld. Conversely, if a leak occurs, mark the leak point, and the airtightness check is complete.

Images