Leak detection assembly

Abstract

A leak detection assembly (1) comprising a leak detector (3), an auxiliary vacuum pump (4) and a vacuum closure device (5) having a vacuum valve (12) and a vacuum actuator (13) configured to actuate a shutter (14) of the vacuum valve.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Leak detection assembly Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a leak detection assembly intended to be connected to the interior volume of an object to be tested. Technical background

[0002] A well-known method for checking the leaktightness of an object is to perform a tracer gas detection test. This method involves detecting the passage of tracer gas through any leaks in the object to be tested. An increase in the measured tracer gas concentration signal indicates the presence of a leak in the object.

[0003] One of the main qualities of a leak detector is its pre-emptying capacity, that is, the leak detector's ability to quickly create a primary vacuum within the object to be tested. The leak detector's pre-emptying capacity is primarily determined by the primary vacuum pump inside the leak detector. The larger the vacuum pump, the higher its pumping performance. Since the dimensions of the detector's internal vacuum pump also determine the dimensions of the leak detector, it is therefore important to find the best compromise between dimensions and performance.

[0004] To increase performance, however, it is possible to use an auxiliary vacuum pump, external to the leak detector, and to fluidically connect this auxiliary vacuum pump in parallel with the internal vacuum pump of the leak detector via a solenoid valve. Opening the solenoid valve allows the object to be put into fluid communication with the auxiliary vacuum pump in addition to the internal vacuum pump of the leak detector, or even instead of the vacuum pump of the leak detector in certain cases.

[0005] The solenoid valves generally used to perform this function, however, have certain disadvantages.

[0006] These solenoid valves have a high conductance in the open position so as not to limit the pumping flow through them and therefore require high power supplies. These high powers are produced by large coils, which results in significant weight and cost as well as layout difficulties.

[0007] In addition, these high powers require a mains power supply, which causes other disadvantages. It is indeed necessary to connect the solenoid valves to a separate power supply from the control cables. In addition, several solenoid valve references, each adapted to the voltage of the electricity network of the country in which the vacuum pump is intended to be used, must be managed, which can be costly. Summary of the invention

[0008] One of the aims of the present invention is to at least partially overcome these drawbacks by proposing an improved leak detection assembly.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a leak detection assembly comprising: - an input intended to be connected to the interior volume of an object to be tested, - a leak detector, one input of which is connected to the input of said assembly, and - an auxiliary vacuum pump, characterized in that the leak detection assembly further comprises a vacuum closing device having: - a vacuum valve comprising a shutter movable between an open position placing the auxiliary vacuum pump and the inlet of said assembly in fluid communication and a shutter position fluidly isolating the auxiliary vacuum pump from the inlet, a piston secured to the shutter and a membrane connected to the piston and delimiting a vacuum chamber, - a vacuum actuator configured to actuate the shutter, said actuator comprising a reservoir, a first solenoid valve interposed between the vacuum chamber and the reservoir and a second solenoid valve interposed between the auxiliary vacuum pump and the reservoir, the closing of the first solenoid valve and the opening of the second solenoid valve allowing the reservoir to be evacuated by the auxiliary vacuum pump, the closing of the second solenoid valve and the opening of the first solenoid valve creating a vacuum in the vacuum chamber, moving the shutter to the open position.

[0010] The suction power of the auxiliary vacuum pump is thus used to actuate the movable shutter of the vacuum valve and connect or isolate the internal volume of the object to be tested from the auxiliary vacuum pump.

[0011] The solenoid valves of the small vacuum valve do not require a high electrical supply power and therefore do not need to be powered by mains voltage.

[0012] Therefore, it is not necessary to adapt the mains supply voltage of these solenoid valves to the electrical voltage of the country of destination of the leak detection assembly.

[0013] Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide, on the one hand, power supply cables for the solenoid valves and, on the other hand, control cables for opening / closing the solenoid valves, since the supply or cut-off of the low voltage supply to the solenoid valve coils is sufficient for control.

[0014] Furthermore, since solenoid valves are small, they are lighter, less expensive and easier to fit into the leak detection system.

[0015] The leak detection assembly may further include one or more of the features described below, alone or in combination.

[0016] The tank can have a volume greater than or equal to 10cm 3 .

[0017] The tank can have a volume less than or equal to 300cm 3 .

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first solenoid valve is configured to allow the passage of ambient air in the closed position.

[0019] The first solenoid valve may be a three-way valve, a first way being formed by a channel opening to the outside, a second way being connected to the vacuum chamber and a third way being connected to the tank, the second and third ways communicating fluidly with each other and the first way being closed in the open position, the first way and the second way communicating fluidly with each other and the third way being closed in the closed position.

[0020] The vacuum actuator may include a chopper configured to chop an output supply voltage from the leak detector supplying the solenoid valves. The chopper allows the supply voltage to the solenoid valves to be chopped and thus reduces heating.

[0021] Said chopper can be mounted on an electronic card received in a housing of an electrical connector of the vacuum actuator, the electrical connector allowing the solenoid valves to be connected to an output power supply of the leak detector. This integration of the electronic card in the housing of the electrical connector allows the management of the power supply of the vacuum actuator to be externalized from the control unit which is itself integrated in the leak detector, which makes it possible to reduce the costs of the leak detector which can be standard.

[0022] The leak detector may comprise a control unit configured to control the opening and closing of the solenoid valves of the vacuum valve by supplying and cutting off the supply of these solenoid valves according to the pressure measured at the inlet of the leak detector by a pressure sensor of the leak detector.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, the leak detector comprises a pumping device and a gas analyzer connected to the pumping device to measure the concentration of at least one gaseous species used as a tracer gas at the inlet of the leak detector.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment, the pumping device comprises a secondary vacuum pump and a primary vacuum pump connected in series, the secondary vacuum pump being arranged upstream of the primary vacuum pump in the direction of gas flow.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment, the primary vacuum pump is a vane pump or a dry primary vacuum pump.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary vacuum pump is a diaphragm pump, a vane pump or a dry primary vacuum pump. Brief description of the figures

[0027] Other advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, but in no way limiting, as well as the appended drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig.1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an example of a leak detection installation.

[0029] [Fig.2] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of elements of a vacuum shutoff device of the leak detection assembly of Figure 1, with a vacuum valve in the closed position.

[0030] [Fig.3] Figure 3 shows the elements of Figure 2 with the vacuum valve in the open position.

[0031] [Fig.4] Figure 4 shows elements of a vacuum actuator of the vacuum closing device.

[0032] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers. Detailed description

[0033] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0034] Figure 1 represents an example of a leak detection assembly 1 comprising an inlet 2 intended to be connected to the interior volume of an object to be tested. The term “object to be tested” is defined as an object or installation whose leaktightness is to be checked.

[0035] Leak detection assembly 1 is used in spray mode. Inlet 2 is connected to the internal volume of the object to be tested, which is sprayed with tracer gas or is contained in a pressurized enclosure with tracer gas.

[0036] The assembly 1 comprises a leak detector 3, an auxiliary vacuum pump 4 and a vacuum closing device 5 making it possible to isolate or put into communication the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 with the interior volume of the object to be tested connected to the inlet 2 of the assembly 1.

[0037] Input 11 of leak detector 3 is connected to input 2 of leak detection assembly 1.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, the leak detector 3 comprises a pumping device 6 and a gas analyzer 7 connected to the pumping device to measure the concentration of at least one gaseous species used as tracer gas at the inlet 11 of the leak detector 3.

[0039] The pumping device 6 comprises, for example, a secondary vacuum pump 8, such as a turbomolecular pump, and a primary vacuum pump 9 connected in series, the secondary vacuum pump 8 being arranged upstream of the primary vacuum pump 9 in the direction of gas flow (see arrows in FIG. 1). The primary vacuum pump 9 is, for example, a vane pump or a small dry primary vacuum pump.

[0040] The gas analyzer 7 is for example connected to the suction of the secondary vacuum pump 8. The measuring cell of the gas analyzer 7 can thus be placed under a low pressure of the order of 10' 4 mbars. The gas analyzer 7 includes, for example, a mass spectrometer.

[0041] A test valve 10a, 10b is fluidically connected to the pumping device 6, for example at an intermediate compression stage of the secondary vacuum pump 8 and / or at the suction of the secondary vacuum pump 9 (depending on the level of leaks sought).

[0042] The auxiliary vacuum pump 4 is, for example, a diaphragm pump, a vane pump or a small dry primary vacuum pump.

[0043] In operation, when the vacuum closing device 5 allows it, the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 puts the interior atmosphere of the object under vacuum. test against the outside atmosphere, alone or in parallel with the pumping device 6 of the leak detector 3.

[0044] Then, from a low threshold pressure, the pumping device 6 of the leak detector 3, alone or in parallel with the auxiliary vacuum pump 4, is put into fluid communication with the object to be tested. Thus, in the event of leaks, the tracer gas enters the leak detector 3 and propagates to the gas analyzer 7. A portion of the gases sampled by the pumping device 6 of the leak detector 3, possibly containing the tracer gas revealing a leak, is then analyzed by the gas analyzer 7 which provides a measurement of the tracer gas concentration to a control unit 29 of the leak detector 3.

[0045] To isolate or connect the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 with the interior volume of the object to be tested, the vacuum closing device 5 comprises a vacuum valve 12 and a vacuum actuator 13 configured to actuate a shutter 14 of the vacuum valve 12.

[0046] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, in addition to the shutter 14, the vacuum valve 12 comprises a piston 15 and a membrane 16 connected to the piston 15 and delimiting a vacuum chamber 17.

[0047] The piston 15 is integral with the shutter 14, they are for example fixed together by an axis 18 of the piston 15.

[0048] The membrane 16 of the vacuum valve 12, such as a rolling membrane, is connected to the piston 15, for example at a central location thereof.

[0049] More precisely, the vacuum valve 12 comprises a hollow body 19 receiving the shutter 14 and the piston 15, the membrane 16 separating the interior of the hollow body 19 into a first chamber or vacuum chamber 17 and a second chamber 20 or atmospheric pressure chamber, the piston 15 separating the second chamber 20 from a third chamber 21 comprising a seat of the shutter 14.

[0050] The membrane 16 ensures the seal between the vacuum chamber 17 and the second chamber 20. The membrane 16 is for example clamped on its outer periphery between two parts of the hollow body 19 assembled together, the membrane 16 also being fixed to the piston 15 in the center, for example at the end of the axis 18 of the piston 15.

[0051] The second chamber 20 located on the side of the axis 18 of the piston 15 and the shutter 14, communicates with the outside via an orifice (not visible in figure 2). The pressure of this second chamber 20 is thus maintained at the surrounding external pressure (or ambient pressure or atmospheric pressure).

[0052] The third chamber 21 has a first orifice 22 fluidly connected to a suction 23 of the auxiliary vacuum pump 4, and a second orifice 24 fluidly connected to the inlet 2 of the leak detection assembly 1. It is also possible in another equivalent configuration, for the first orifice 22 to be fluidly connected to the inlet 2 of the leak detection assembly 1 and for the second orifice 24 to be fluidly connected to the suction 23 of the auxiliary vacuum pump 4.

[0053] The shutter 14 of the vacuum valve 12 is movable between an open position (figure 3) and a closed position (figure 2).

[0054] In the open position (Figure 3), the shutter 14 is away from its seat. The first and second ports 21, 22 and therefore the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 and the inlet 2 of the leak detection assembly 1, are in fluid communication.

[0055] In the closed position (Figure 2), the shutter 14 obstructs the first port 22, fluidically isolating the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 from the inlet 2 of the leak detection assembly 1.

[0056] The vacuum valve 12 is, for example, normally closed. The shutter 14 may have a seal to ensure the sealing of the shutter.

[0057] To actuate the shutter 14, the vacuum actuator 13 comprises a reservoir 25, a first solenoid valve 26 and a second solenoid valve 27 (figure 1).

[0058] The reservoir 25 is the volume interposed between the valves of the first and second solenoid valves 26, 27. The reservoir 25 has, for example, a volume greater than or equal to 10 cm 3 , such as greater than 30cm 3 and / or less than or equal to 300cm 3 , such as less than 60 cm 3 , as understood between 10cm 3 and 300 cm 3 , as understood between 30cm 3and 60cm 3 , so as to be able to expand the volume of the vacuum chamber 17 from atmospheric pressure to a low pressure of, for example, between 1 Pa and 1000 Pa.

[0059] The first and second solenoid valves 26, 27 are for example normally closed and electrically powered to be controlled to open.

[0060] The first solenoid valve 26 is interposed between the vacuum chamber 17 and the reservoir 25. Opening the first solenoid valve 26 places the vacuum chamber 17 and the reservoir 25 in fluid communication. Closing the first solenoid valve 26 fluidly isolates the vacuum chamber 17 from the reservoir 25.

[0061] The first solenoid valve 26 can be configured to allow the passage of ambient air in the closed position.

[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first solenoid valve 26 is a three-way valve. A first way 26a is an air inlet, formed by a channel opening to the outside, which can be provided with a filter 36. A second way 26b is connected to the vacuum chamber 17 and a third way 26c is connected to the reservoir 25.

[0063] In the open position, the second and third ports 26b, 26c communicate fluidly with each other and the first port 26a is closed (figure 3).

[0064] In the closed position, the first port 26a communicates fluidically with the second port 26b and the third port 26c is closed (Figure 2). Filtered air passes through the first solenoid valve 26, entering the vacuum chamber 17.

[0065] The second solenoid valve 27 is interposed between the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 and the reservoir 25. Opening the second solenoid valve 27 places the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 and the reservoir 25 in fluid communication. Closing the second solenoid valve 27 fluidly isolates the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 from the reservoir 25.

[0066] The closing of the first solenoid valve 26 and the opening of the second solenoid valve 27 allow the tank 25 to be evacuated by the auxiliary vacuum pump 4.

[0067] Closing the second solenoid valve 27 and opening the first solenoid valve 26 creates a vacuum in the vacuum chamber 17, moving the shutter 14 to the open position.

[0068] These solenoid valves 26, 27, of small dimensions, can be supplied at a low voltage, that is to say by an output power supply of the leak detector 3, such as a 24Vdc power supply. The supply or the cutting off of the power supply allows the opening and closing control of the solenoid valves 26, 27 without it being necessary to provide on the one hand a mains power cable and on the other hand, a control wiring of the solenoid valves.

[0069] The shutter 14 of the vacuum valve 12 may be elastically biased into the closed position, for example, by an elastic element 28 of the vacuum valve 12, such as a spring. A first end of the elastic element 28 may be fixed to the piston 15, for example under a head of the piston 15, the other end of the elastic element 28 being fixed to the shutter 14, the elastic element surrounding the axis 18 of the piston 15. This elastic element 28 makes it possible to ensure the closing of the vacuum valve 12 when the coil of the first solenoid valve 26 is not electrically powered.

[0070] The leak detector 3 further comprises a control unit 29, such as an electronic card, comprising one or more controllers or microcontrollers or processors and a memory, to execute sequences of program instructions making it possible to implement a method for controlling the operating parameters of the leak detector 3 and the solenoid valves 10a, 10b, 26, 27. The control unit 29 is in particular configured to control the opening and closing of the solenoid valves 26, 27 of the vacuum valve 12, for example by supplying and cutting off the supply of these solenoid valves as a function of the pressure measured at the inlet 11 of the leak detector 3 by a pressure sensor 30 of the leak detector 3.

[0071] It may further be provided that the vacuum actuator 13 comprises a chopper configured to chop the output power supply voltage. Indeed, these solenoid valves 26, 27 heat up when they are continuously powered (up to 90°C at 24Vdc). This significant heating can cause premature aging of the electronics and a risk of burns for the user. The chopper makes it possible to chop the supply voltage of the solenoid valves 26, 27 and thus reduce heating.

[0072] According to an exemplary embodiment, said chopper is mounted on an electronic card 32 received in a housing 33 of an electrical connector 34 of the vacuum actuator 13 (figure 4). This integration of the electronic card in the housing 33 of the electrical connector 34 allows the management of the power supply of the vacuum actuator 13 to be externalized from the control unit 29 which is itself integrated in the leak detector 3, which makes it possible to reduce the costs of the leak detector 3 which can be standard.

[0073] The electrical connector 34 connects mechanically and electrically to a complementary connector carried by the leak detector 3 to connect the electrical conductors 35 of the solenoid valves 26, 27 to the output power supply of the leak detector 3 for supplying the coils of the solenoid valves 26, 27 (figure 1).

[0074] The operation is as follows:

[0075] In the closed position (figure 2), the shutter 14 is elastically biased against its seat in the third chamber 21 closing the first orifice 22, thus fluidly isolating the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 from the inlet 2 of the leak detection assembly 1. The solenoid valves 26, 27 are for example initially closed. Filtered air passes through the first solenoid valve 26, entering the vacuum chamber 17 at atmospheric pressure.

[0076] Powering the second solenoid valve 27 causes it to open, putting the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 and the reservoir 25 into fluid communication, which allows the reservoir 25 to be placed under vacuum by the auxiliary vacuum pump 4.

[0077] When the user launches a detection cycle, if the pressure measured at inlet 2 by the pressure sensor 30 is greater than a threshold, for example if the measured pressure is atmospheric pressure, then the control unit 29 of the leak detector controls the opening of the vacuum valve 12.

[0078] To do this, the control unit 29 controls the closing of the second solenoid valve 27 by cutting its power supply, fluidly isolating the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 from the reservoir 25, and controls the opening of the first solenoid valve 26, by powering it.

[0079] The opening of the first solenoid valve 26 (arrow F1 in Figure 3) places the vacuum chamber 17 and the low-pressure reservoir 25 in fluid communication, creating a vacuum in the vacuum chamber 17. The pressure difference on either side of the membrane 16 between the vacuum chamber 17 and the second chamber 20 at atmospheric pressure deforms the membrane 16, attracting the piston 15 into the lower-pressure vacuum chamber 17. The piston 15 and therefore the shutter 14 are moved to the open position (arrow F2 in Figure 3).

[0080] In the open position of the vacuum valve 12 (figure 3), the shutter 14 is away from its seat. The first and second ports 22, 24 and therefore the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 and the inlet 2 of the leak detection assembly 1, are in fluid communication. The auxiliary vacuum pump 4 can evacuate the interior volume of the object to be tested connected to the inlet 2 of the leak detection assembly 1.

[0081] This vacuuming by the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 can be carried out in parallel pumping with the primary vacuum pump 9 of the leak detector 3 or only via the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 and in this case, the primary vacuum pump 9 is only used to enable the operation of the secondary vacuum pump 8 of the leak detector 3.

[0082] The vacuuming from atmospheric pressure to a low threshold pressure carried out in parallel by the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 and the primary vacuum pump 9 of the leak detector 3 makes it possible to reduce the pressure reduction time of the internal volume of the object to be tested.

[0083] Pumping the internal volume of the object to be tested by the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 alone makes it possible not to use the pumping device 6 of the detector for high pressures and thus to protect it, for example, from the possible presence of polluting gaseous species contained in the object to be tested.

[0084] When the pressure measured at inlet 2 by the pressure sensor 30 becomes lower than or equal to the threshold, the control unit 29 of the leak detector controls the closing of the vacuum valve 12, the vacuum being able to be maintained only by the leak detector 3.

[0085] To control the closing of the vacuum valve 12, at the end of the measurement cycle or in the case where the leak detector alone ensures the vacuum is maintained, the control unit 29 controls the closing of the first solenoid valve 26, by cutting off its power supply, which fluidically isolates the vacuum chamber 17 from the reservoir 25. Filtered ambient air can then pass through the first solenoid valve 26 and enter the vacuum chamber 17. The pressure in the vacuum chamber 17 increases and returns to atmospheric pressure. The rebalancing of the pressures on either side of the membrane 16 allows it to return to its resting shape, which allows the shutter 14 to return against its seat in the second chamber 21 (figure 2) and therefore the fluidic isolation between the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 and the interior volume of the object to be tested connected to the inlet 2 of the leak detection assembly 1.

[0086] The control unit 29 can also control the opening of the second solenoid valve 27 in order to place the tank 25 under vacuum in preparation for a next measurement cycle.

[0087] The suction power of the auxiliary vacuum pump 4 is thus used to actuate the movable shutter 14 of the vacuum valve 12 and connect or isolate the interior volume of the object to be tested from the auxiliary vacuum pump 4.

[0088] The solenoid valves 26, 27 of the small-sized vacuum valve 12 do not require a high electrical supply power and therefore do not need to be supplied by the mains voltage.

[0089] Therefore, it is not necessary to adapt the mains supply voltage of these solenoid valves 26, 27 to the electrical voltage of the country of destination of the leak detection assembly 1.

[0090] Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide, on the one hand, power supply cables for the solenoid valves and, on the other hand, control cables for opening / closing the solenoid valves, since the supply or cut-off of the low voltage supply to the coils of the solenoid valves 26, 27 is sufficient.

[0091] Furthermore, since the solenoid valves 26, 27 are small, they are lighter, less expensive and easier to arrange in the leak detection assembly 1.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A leak detection assembly (1) comprising: - an input (2) intended to be connected to the interior volume of an object to be tested, - a leak detector (3) of which one input (11) is connected to the input (2) of said assembly (1), and - an auxiliary vacuum pump (4), characterized in that the leak detection assembly (1) further comprises a vacuum closing device (5) having: - a vacuum valve (12) comprising a shutter (14) movable between an open position placing the auxiliary vacuum pump (4) in fluid communication with the inlet (2) of said assembly (1) and a shutter position fluidly isolating the auxiliary vacuum pump (4) from the inlet (2), a piston (15) secured to the shutter (14) and a membrane (16) connected to the piston (15) and delimiting a vacuum chamber (17), - a vacuum actuator (13) configured to actuate the shutter (14), said actuator (13) comprising a reservoir (25), a first solenoid valve (26) interposed between the vacuum chamber (17) and the reservoir (25) and a second solenoid valve (27) interposed between the auxiliary vacuum pump (4) and the reservoir (25), the closing of the first solenoid valve (26) and the opening of the second solenoid valve (27) allowing the reservoir (25) to be evacuated by the auxiliary vacuum pump (4), the closing of the second solenoid valve (27) and the opening of the first solenoid valve (26) creating a vacuum in the vacuum chamber (17), moving the shutter (14) to the open position.

2. Leak detection assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reservoir (25) has a volume greater than or equal to 10 cm 3 .

3. Leak detection assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reservoir (25) has a volume less than or equal to 300cm 3 .

4. Leak detection assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first solenoid valve (26) is configured to allow the passage of ambient air in the closed position.

5. Leak detection assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first solenoid valve (26) is a three-way valve, a first way (26a) being formed by a channel opening to the outside, a second way (26b) being connected to the chamber at depression (17) and a third way (26c) being connected to the reservoir (25), the second and third ways (26b, 26c) communicating fluidly with each other and the first way (26a) being closed in the open position, the first way (26a) and the second way (26b) communicating fluidly with each other and the third way (26c) being closed in the closed position.

6. Leak detection assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vacuum actuator (13) comprises a chopper configured to chop an output supply voltage of the leak detector (3) supplying the solenoid valves (26, 27).

7. Leak detection assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said chopper is mounted on an electronic card (32) received in a housing (33) of an electrical connector (34) of the vacuum actuator (13), the electrical connector (34) making it possible to connect the solenoid valves (26, 27) to an output power supply of the leak detector (3).

8. Leak detection assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leak detector (3) comprises a control unit (29) configured to control the opening and closing of the solenoid valves (26, 27) of the vacuum valve (12) by supplying and cutting off the supply of these solenoid valves (26, 27) as a function of the pressure measured at the inlet (11) of the leak detector (3) by a pressure sensor (30) of the leak detector (3).

9. Leak detection assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leak detector (3) comprises a pumping device (6) and a gas analyzer (7) connected to the pumping device (6) for measuring the concentration of at least one gaseous species used as tracer gas at the inlet (11) of the leak detector (3).

10. Leak detection assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pumping device (6) comprises a secondary vacuum pump (8) and a primary vacuum pump (9) connected in series, the secondary vacuum pump (8) being arranged upstream of the primary vacuum pump (9) in the direction of gas flow.

11. Leak detection assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the primary vacuum pump (9) is a vane pump or a dry primary vacuum pump.

12. Leak detection assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary vacuum pump (4) is a diaphragm pump, a vane pump or a dry primary vacuum pump.

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