Calibration instrument for leak detection device
The calibration instrument addresses the ergonomic challenges of existing leak detection devices by providing a configurable fluidic device with a pressure-reducing mechanism and removable parts, enhancing usability and accuracy in recalibration.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ATEQ
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing calibration instruments for leak detection devices lack ergonomic design, making them difficult to use and requiring frequent recalibration due to variations in measurement quality caused by wear, aging, and environmental factors.
A calibration instrument with a fluidic device that can be configured in two ways, allowing for easy connection and disconnection to leak detection devices, featuring a pressure-reducing mechanism and a sensor to measure pressure differences, and includes a casing with removable parts for enhanced usability.
Improves the ergonomics of calibration instruments, facilitating their use and ensuring accurate recalibration of leak detection devices by simplifying the assembly and disassembly process.
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Calibration instrument for leak detection device technical field
[0001] The invention relates to the field of leak testing and in particular to the detection of leaks on objects or products such as batteries, perfume bottles, containers, valves, etc.
[0002] The invention relates more specifically to a calibration instrument, also called a "leak calibrator," for calibrating a leak detection device. Prior art
[0003] Calibration instruments are generally used in industry to test, adjust and / or calibrate leak detection devices equipping production lines.
[0004] Indeed, the measurement quality of leak detection devices is likely to vary over time, for example due to wear and / or aging of their components, temperature fluctuations, humidity, shocks, etc., which requires readjusting their measurement chain (converter, sensor, etc.).
[0005] A conventional calibration instrument typically includes a pipe equipped with a differential pressure device to simulate a predefined artificial leak, and a sensor designed to measure the corresponding pressure difference, forming a device here called a "fluidic device".
[0006] To recalibrate a leak detection device, it is typically connected to the fluidic device line of such a calibration instrument. Recalibration is performed based on a comparison of measurements taken by the sensor of the fluidic device of the calibration instrument with measurements taken by the leak detection device.
[0007] There is a need to improve the ergonomics of prior art calibration instruments, in order to facilitate their use. Description of the invention
[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a calibration instrument for a leak detection device, comprising at least one fluidic device which includes: - conduct and - a pressure-reducing device configured to be positioned in the pipe so as to limit the flow of a fluid between a first part of the pipe and a second part of the pipe, the first part of the conduit forming one end of the fluidic device, the second part of the conduit forming the second end of the fluidic device, the fluidic device being configured to be usable in each of the following configurations: - a first configuration in which said first end forms a so-called connecting end intended to connect the pipe to said leak detection device and said second end forms a so-called exhaust end intended to establish fluidic communication between the pipe and an external space surrounding the fluidic device, - a second configuration in which said first end forms said exhaust end and said second end forms said connecting end.
[0009] In one embodiment, the differential pressure element comprises wall elements radially defining openings between them which establish a fluidic communication between the first part and the second part of the conduit.
[0010] In one embodiment, the deprimogen organ comprises a core, the wall elements extending radially outward from the core.
[0011] In one embodiment, the instrument includes a sensor configured to measure a pressure loss, or pressure difference, in the pipe between one and the other among the first part and the second part of the pipe.
[0012] In one embodiment, the instrument includes a casing housing at least part of the fluidic device.
[0013] In one embodiment, said first end of the fluidic device is configured to pass through a first wall of the envelope when the fluidic device is in a position said to be in use relative to the envelope and said second end of this fluidic device is configured to pass through a second wall of the envelope when the fluidic device is in a position of use.
[0014] In one embodiment, the instrument further comprises: - one or more connecting parts configured to hold at least one fluidic device in the operating position, - one or more fastening elements, including for example screws, configured to reversibly fix at least one fluidic device to one or more of said connecting parts and / or to reversibly fix one or more of said connecting parts to the casing.
[0015] The invention also relates to a fluidic device for such an instrument.
[0016] In one embodiment, the device comprises: a conduct and - a differential pressure device configured to be arranged in the pipe so as to limit the flow of fluid between a first part of the pipe and a second part of the pipe, the first part of the pipe forming a first end of the fluidic device, the second part of the pipe forming a second end of the fluidic device, the fluidic device being configured to be usable in each of the following configurations: - a first configuration in which said first end forms a so-called connecting end intended to connect the pipe to said leak detection device and said second end forms a so-called exhaust end intended to establish fluidic communication between the pipe and an external space surrounding the fluidic device, - a second configuration in which said first end forms said exhaust end and said second end forms said connecting end.
[0017] The invention also relates to a method for calibrating a leak detection device using such an instrument.
[0018] The method may include a step of connecting the leak detection device to said first or second end of the conduit of at least one fluidic device.
[0019] The invention makes it possible to improve the ergonomics of a calibration instrument and to facilitate its use.
[0020] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed, non-limiting description. Brief description of the drawings
[0021] The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings on which: - [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective view of a calibration instrument according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of an instrument of calibration according to the invention in a configuration in which instrument covers are removed; - [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a subset of the instrument of [Fig.2], this sub-assembly comprising fluidic devices, connecting parts and fastening elements; - [Fig. 4] is a schematic perspective view of one of the devices fluidics, of one of the connecting parts and part of the fixing elements of the sub-assembly of the [Fig.3]; - [Fig. 5] is a schematic perspective view of two other devices fluidics, another connecting piece and another part of the fixing elements of the sub-assembly of the [Fig.3]; - [Fig. 6] is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a device fluidic according to the invention, the device comprising a conduit and a deprimogenic element; - [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective view of the deprimogenic organ of the device of the [Fig.6]. Detailed description of implementation methods
[0022] [Fig.1] shows a non-limiting example of an instrument 1 according to the invention.
[0023] Instrument 1 is a calibration instrument also called a "calibrator" or " flow meter.
[0024] By way of non-limitation, instrument 1 can be used to calibrate a leak detection device, for example a device such as a differential pressure variation leak tester.
[0025] Fig. 2 shows internal parts of an instrument 1 similar to that of Fig. 1.
[0026] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the instrument 1 of the invention comprises in these examples a chassis 2, walls 3A-3E or hoods forming an envelope 3, fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6 and a screen 7.
[0027] The instrument 1 of [Fig.1] is in the form of a generally parallelepiped-shaped case, defining a front face IA, a rear face IB, two lateral faces IC and 1D, a lower face 1E and a top face 1F.
[0028] With reference to [Fig.2], the chassis 2 in this example comprises a front frame 2A, a rear frame 2B, lower cross members 2C and upper cross members 2D.
[0029] The front frame 2A and the rear frame 2B are spaced apart in a direction defining the depth of the instrument 1. The lower cross members 2C are spaced apart from the upper cross members 2D in a direction defining the height of the instrument 1. The lower cross members 2C are spaced apart in a direction defining the width of the instrument 1. Similarly, the upper cross members 2D are spaced apart in the direction of the width of the instrument 1.
[0030] Chassis 2 thus presents: - a front opening formed by the front frame 2A, - a rear opening formed by the rear frame 2B, - a lower opening delimited by a lower edge of frames 2A and 2B and by the 2C crossbeams, - a top opening delimited by the upper edge of frames 2A and 2B and by crossbars 2D, - a first lateral opening delimited by a first lateral edge of frames 2A and 2B, one of the crossbars 2C and one of the crossbars 2D, - a second lateral opening delimited by a second lateral edge of frames 2A and 2B, the other by crossbars 2C and the other by crossbars 2D.
[0031] In this example, a portion of the casing 3 has a generally U-shaped form, this portion being formed by the walls 3A and 3B and by a side wall not visible in [Fig. 1] which is symmetrical to the wall 3A. Thus, when this portion of the casing 3 is assembled to the frame 2 as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the wall 3A covers the first side opening formed by the frame 2, the aforementioned side wall not visible in [Fig. 1] of the casing 3 covers the second side opening formed by the frame 2, and the wall 3B covers the upper opening formed by the frame 2. In this configuration, these various walls of the casing 3 rest on the edges of the frames 2A and 2B and / or on the cross members 2C and / or 2D of the frame 2.
[0032] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the front frame 2A is arranged towards the rear of the wall 3C of the envelope 3 and is configured to support the screen 7.
[0033] In the assembled configuration of [Fig. 1], the instrument 1 comprises an internal part or volume which is delimited by: - wall 3A of envelope 3 defines the lateral face IC of instrument 1, - said lateral wall of envelope 3, not visible in [Fig. 1], which defines the lateral face 1D of instrument 1, - wall 3B of envelope 3 which defines the upper face 1F of instrument 1, - wall 3C of envelope 3 and screen 7 which define the front face IA of instrument 1, - the 3D wall of the envelope 3 which covers the rear opening of the chassis 2, defining the rear face IB of the instrument 1, - the wall 3E of the envelope 3 which covers the lower opening of the chassis 2 by defining the lower face 1E of the instrument 1.
[0034] The envelope 3 can thus be easily assembled to, or removed from, the chassis 2, in whole or in part.
[0035] In this particular example, the assembly formed by the side walls 3A and the top wall 3B can be mounted or dismounted independently of the other walls of the envelope 3, and vice versa.
[0036] In the non-limiting example of [Fig.1], the instrument 1 includes a removable carrying handle 8 and the screen 7 includes a touch panel forming a user interface.
[0037] Beyond the innovative features of instrument 1, which are described in particular below and stated in the claims, the general functionalities of Instrument 1 and the various components necessary or useful for its general implementation and use are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, Instrument 1 is not described exhaustively in this document.
[0038] With reference to figures 2 to 5, the fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6 each comprise a conduit extending along a direction A4, A5 or A6, respectively.
[0039] In this example, each of the devices 4, 5 and 6 has a structure similar to that of device 20 which will now be described with reference to [Fig.6].
[0040] The fluidic device 20 comprises a conduit 21 extending along an axis A20.
[0041] The conduit 21 includes a so-called flow opening which passes through it from one side to the other along the axis A20.
[0042] In this example, the conduit 21 comprises a part 21A forming a first part of the conduit 21 and a part 21B forming a second part of the conduit 21, these parts 21A and 21B being arranged side by side along the axis A20 so as to define respective parts of said flow opening which are in fluidic communication with each other.
[0043] The first part 21A of the conduit 21 forms a first end of the device 20.
[0044] The second part 21B of the conduit 21 forms a second end of the device 20.
[0045] In the example of [Fig.6], the device 20 is equipped with a fitting 22 disposed at its first end, thus called the "fitting end".
[0046] More specifically, the fitting 22 is received here in the part of the opening of the conduit 21 which is formed by the part 21 A, also called "first part of the opening", so as to be able to establish a fluidic communication between this opening and an organ or device (not shown) which is connected to the fitting 22.
[0047] The opening of the conduit 21 leads outside the device 20, i.e. into a space surrounding the device 20, through its second end, called the "exhaust end", which in this example is formed by the part 21B.
[0048] The device 20 of [Fig.6] includes a component 25 disposed in the conduit 21.
[0049] The organ 25, shown separately in [Fig.7], is a differential pressure organ, configured to limit a flow of fluid in the conduit 21 between the first part 21A of the conduit 21 and the second part 21B of the conduit 21.
[0050] In other words, the pressure-depriving device 25 is configured to create a pressure loss in the conduit 21, between said first part of the opening of the conduit 21 and the part of the opening formed by the second part 21B of the conduit 21, also called "second part of the opening".
[0051] With reference to the embodiment of [Fig.7], the deprimogenic organ 25 comprises a nucleus 26 and wall elements 27.
[0052] In this non-limiting example, the core 26 is solid, extends along the direction A20 and has a diameter smaller than that of the flow opening formed by the conduit 21.
[0053] In this non-limiting example, the wall elements 27 extend circumferentially around the axis A20 and radially outside the core 26.
[0054] The wall elements 27 define openings radially between each other.
[0055] In the configuration of [Fig. 6], the openings formed by the wall elements 27 of the deprimogen organ 25 establish a fluidic communication between the part of the opening formed by the first part 21A of the conduit 21 and the part of the opening formed by the second part 21B of the conduit 21.
[0056] With reference to figures 2, 3 and 5, each of the fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6 further includes fittings 32A and 32B configured to connect a sensor (not shown).
[0057] For each of the devices 4, 5 and 6, the sensor is connected to fittings 32A and 32B so as to measure: - on the one hand, a fluid pressure in the first part of the flow opening of the pipe at which fitting 32A is located, - on the other hand, a fluid pressure in the second part of the flow opening at which fitting 32B is located.
[0058] In other words, the sensor is configured to be able to measure a pressure difference in the pipe of each of the fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6, on either side of the pressure-reducing element housed in the corresponding pipe.
[0059] With reference to figures 3 to 5, the fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6 and in particular the conduits they comprise present in this non-limiting example an overall cylindrical external shape by defining flat surfaces, or flats.
[0060] In this example, the fluidic device 4 includes a flat 41 called lateral and a flat 42 called inferior (see [Fig.4]).
[0061] In this example, the flats 41 and 42 are angularly spaced 90° apart from each other around the axis A4, so that two fictitious planes, each passing through one of the respective flats 41 and 42, are orthogonal.
[0062] In this example, the fluidic devices 5 and 6 each comprise two flats 43 and 44 called lateral (see [Fig.5]).
[0063] For each of the devices 5 and 6, the flats 43 and 44 are in this example angularly spaced from each other by 180° around the axis A5 or A6, respectively, so that fictitious planes passing each through one of the respective flats 43 and 44 are parallel.
[0064] In the configuration of [Fig.2], the lateral flat 41 of device 4 and the lateral flats 43 and 44 of devices 5 and 6 are all parallel to each other and extend each in relation to one or the other of the lateral openings formed by the frame 2.
[0065] In the configuration of [Fig.2], the lower flat 42 of the device 4 extends opposite the lower opening of the chassis 2.
[0066] With reference to figures 2 to 5, the instrument 1 includes connecting parts 51 and 52.
[0067] By way of non-limitation, parts 51 and 52 are herein folded metal sheets or plates.
[0068] In this example, part 51 comprises three parts 51 A, 5 IB and 5 IC giving it a U-shaped section, parts 51A and 51B being parallel to each other and perpendicular to part 51C.
[0069] With reference to figures 3 and 5, part 51 is dimensioned so that the distance between parts 51A and 51B is greater than the distance between flats 43 and 44 of the fluidic device 6 and so that part 51A can rest on flat 44 of the device 6 while leaving a space between part 51C and the device 6.
[0070] In the example of Figures 3 and 4, part 52 comprises four sections 52A, 52B, 52C and 52D, sections 52A and 52C being parallel to each other, and sections 52B and 52D being parallel to each other and perpendicular to sections 52A and 52C. Sections 52A and 52B together have an L-shaped cross-section. Similarly, sections 52C and 52D together have an L-shaped cross-section.
[0071] With reference to figures 3 and 4, part 52 is dimensioned so that the height H1 of part 52C is less than the height H2 of part 52A, so that part 52A can rest on the flat 41 of device 4 and part 52D can rest on the flat 42 of device 4, leaving a space between part 52B and device 6.
[0072] In the configuration of Figures 2 and 3 and with reference also to [Fig. 5]: - part 51A of the connecting piece 51a has an internal surface S51A bearing against the flat 44 of the device 6, - part 5 IB of the connecting piece 51a has an external surface S5 IB bearing against the flat 44 of the device 6, - part 5 IC of the connecting piece 51a an external surface S5 IC bearing on the lower wall 3E of the envelope 3.
[0073] Independently, in the configuration of Figures 2 and 3 and with reference also to [Fig. 4]: - Part 52A of the connecting piece 52 has an internal surface S52A bearing against the flat 41 of the device 4, - Part 52D of the connecting piece 52 has an internal surface S52D bearing against the flat 42 of the device 4, - part 52B of the connecting piece 52 has an external surface S52B bearing against the lower wall 3E of the envelope 3.
[0074] In this example, the instrument 1 includes fastening elements which, without limitation, include fastening screws.
[0075] With reference to [Fig.5], two of the fixing screws are configured to fix part 51A of the connecting piece 51 to the device 6. For this purpose, the device 6 includes two threaded holes which open onto the flat 44 of this device 6 and part 51A of the connecting piece 51 includes two corresponding openings for the passage of these screws.
[0076] Two other fixing screws are configured to fix part 5 IB of the connecting piece 51 to the device 5. For this purpose, the device 5 also includes two threads which open onto the flat 44 of this device 5 and part 51B of the connecting piece 51 includes two corresponding openings for the passage of these screws.
[0077] With reference to [Fig.4], two other fixing screws are configured to fix part 52A of the connecting piece 52 to the device 4. For this purpose, the device 4 includes two threaded holes which open onto the flat 41 of this device 4 and part 52A of the connecting piece 52 includes two corresponding openings for the passage of these screws.
[0078] Two other fixing screws are configured to fix part 52D of the connecting piece 52 to the device 4. For this purpose, the device 4 includes two other threads which open onto the flat 42 of this device 4 and part 52D of the connecting piece 52 includes two corresponding openings for the passage of these screws.
[0079] With reference to figures 3 and 4, other fixing screws are used to fix the connecting parts 51 and 52 to the lower wall 3E of the envelope 3, in cooperation with corresponding nuts.
[0080] In this particular example, four fixing screws and four corresponding nuts are used to fix the connecting piece 51 to the lower wall 3E of the enclosure 3, this wall 3E comprising for this purpose four openings for the passage of these screws, the part 51C of the connecting piece 51 also comprising four corresponding openings for the passage of these screws.
[0081] In this example, two fixing screws and two corresponding nuts are used to fix the connecting piece 52 to the lower wall 3E of the enclosure 3, this wall 3E comprising for this purpose two additional openings for the passage of these screw, part 52B of the connecting piece 52 also comprising two corresponding openings for the passage of these screws.
[0082] In the configuration of [Fig.2], the connecting pieces 51 and 52 thus allow the fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6 to be maintained in a so-called operating position relative to the envelope 3 and the chassis 2.
[0083] In addition, the aforementioned fastening elements allow the connecting parts 51 and 52 to be reversibly fixed on the one hand to the casing 3 and, on the other hand, to the fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6.
[0084] In the operating position illustrated in [Fig.2], the fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6 extend into the internal volume of the instrument 1 such that their connecting end passes through respective openings in the wall 3C of the envelope 3 to open out of the instrument 1 and their exhaust end passes through respective openings in the wall 3D of the envelope 3 to open out of the instrument 1.
[0085] The envelope 3 thus houses part of the fluidic devices as well as the connecting parts when the instrument 1 is assembled.
[0086] Such an architecture makes it possible in particular to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of one or more of the fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6.
[0087] From the assembled configuration, one or more of the fluidic devices 4, 5 and 6 can be disassembled by implementing the corresponding steps that follow, which are in no way limiting: - removal of the part of the envelope 3 formed by the side walls 3A and the top wall 3B, - detachment of connecting parts 51 and 52 from the casing 3, this step may include removing the screws fixing connecting parts 51 and 52 to the lower wall 3E of the casing 3, - Removal of the fluidic device 4, this step may include: • removal of the screws fixing part 52A of the connecting piece 52 to the fluidic device 4, • a simultaneous rotation of the connecting piece 52 and the fluidic device 4 around its axis A4, in this example by an angle of 90°, so that parts 52B and 52D are oriented towards the nearest lateral opening formed by the chassis 2, • removal of the screws fixing part 52D of the connecting piece 52 to the fluidic device 4, • a translation of the fluidic device 4 along its axis A4 through the corresponding opening in the front wall 3C, - Removal of the fluidic device 6, this step may include: • removal of the screws fixing the fluidic device 6 to the connecting part 51, • a translation of the fluidic device 6 along its axis A6 through the corresponding opening in the front wall 3C, - removal of the fluidic device 5, this step possibly including: • removal of the screws fixing the fluidic device 5 to the connecting part 51, • a translation of the fluidic device 5 along its axis A5 through the corresponding opening in the front wall 3C.
[0088] The assembly of one or more of the fluidic devices can be carried out with analogous steps performed in reverse.
[0089] In this example, the instrument 1 which has just been described is used to calibrate a leak detection device.
[0090] To do this, the device to be calibrated can be connected to the connection end of one of the fluidic devices 4, 5 or 6, depending on the corresponding flow rate.
[0091] For the sake of indication, the fluidic devices 4 and 5 are in this example sized for a relatively large flow rate, for example between 2500 ml / min and 10000 L / h, while the fluidic device 6 is sized for a relatively small flow rate, for example between 0.2 ml / min and 20 ml / min.
[0092] Advantageously, the fluidic devices 4, 5, and 6 are reversible in this example. In the configuration described above, the first end is used as the connection end and the second end is used as the exhaust end. In an alternative configuration, the first end is used as the exhaust end and the second end is used as the connection end, independently for one or more of the fluidic devices 4, 5, and 6. The preceding description applies by analogy to this alternative configuration.
[0093] Of course, the preceding description is not limiting, the invention encompassing many embodiment variants covered by the claims.
[0094] For example, in variants not shown, instrument 1 may include one, two or more than three fluidic devices.
[0095] When the instrument 1 comprises several fluidic devices, these may be different from one another. One or more of these devices may, for example, be similar to or different from the device 20 illustrated in [Fig. 6].
[0096] The instrument may include one or more connecting parts having a geometry different from that of parts 51 and 52, depending in particular on the geometry of the fluidic device(s) that these parts are intended to maintain and / or the space available in the internal volume of the instrument 1.
[0097] The connecting elements may include other types of elements than screws
[0098] By way of another example, the instrument of the invention can be used to calibrate or test a device which may be different from a leak detection device as defined above.
Claims
Demands
1. Calibration instrument (1) for a leak detection device, comprising at least one fluidic device (20) which includes: - a conduit (21) and - a differential pressure element (25) configured to be disposed in the conduit (21) so as to limit the flow of a fluid between a first part (21A) of the conduit and a second part (21B) of the conduit, the first part (21A) of the conduit forming a first end of the fluidic device (20), the second part (21B) of the conduit forming a second end of the fluidic device (20),The fluidic device (20) being configured to be usable in each of the following configurations: - a first configuration in which said first end forms a so-called connection end intended to connect the pipe (21) to said leak detection device and said second end forms a so-called exhaust end intended to establish fluidic communication between the pipe (21) and an external space surrounding the fluidic device (20), - a second configuration in which said first end forms said exhaust end and said second end forms said connection end, characterized in that the differential pressure element (25) comprises wall elements (27) radially defining openings between them which establish fluidic communication between the first part (21A) and the second part (21B) of the pipe (21).
2. Instrument (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the deprimogen organ (25) comprises a core (26), the wall elements (26) extending radially out of the core (26).
3. Instrument (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, comprising a sensor configured to measure a pressure loss in the pipe (21) between one and the other of the first part (21A) and the second part (21B) of the pipe.
4. Instrument (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an enclosure (3) housing at least a part of the fluidic device (20).
5. Instrument according to claim 4, wherein said first end of the fluidic device (20) is configured to pass through a first wall (3A) of the envelope (3) when the fluidic device (20) is in a position said to be in use relative to the envelope (3) and said second end of this fluidic device (20) is configured to pass through a second wall (3D) of the envelope (3) when the fluidic device (20) is in the position of use.
6. Instrument (1) according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising: - one or more connecting pieces (51, 52) configured to hold at least one fluidic device (2) in the position of use, - one or more fastening members, including for example screws, configured to reversibly fix at least one fluidic device (20) to one or more of said connecting pieces (51, 52) and / or to reversibly fix one or more of said connecting pieces (51, 52) to the casing (3).
7. A fluidic device (20) for an instrument (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: - a conduit (21) and - a differential pressure element (25) configured to be disposed in the conduit (21) so as to limit the flow of fluid between a first portion (21A) of the conduit and a second portion (21B) of the conduit, the first portion (21A) of the conduit forming a first end of the fluidic device (20), the second portion (21B) of the conduit forming a second end of the fluidic device (20), the fluidic device (20) being configured to be usable in each of the following configurations: - a first configuration in which said first end forms a so-called connecting end intended for connecting the pipe (21) to said leak detection device and said second end forms a so-called exhaust end intended to establish fluidic communication between the pipe (21) and an external space surrounding the fluidic device (20), - a second configuration in which said first end forms said exhaust end and said second end forms said connecting end.
8. Method of calibrating a leak detection device using an instrument (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a step of connecting the leak detection device to said first or second end of the line of at least one fluidic device.