Closed Circulated Leak Test Apparatus for High-Pressure Gas Dissolved Liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leak test methods using gas dissolved liquids under high-pressure conditions face challenges such as long waiting times for large test pieces, sensitivity issues due to liquid vapor pollution in detectors, and difficulties in maintaining constant gas concentration, especially when applying to arbitrarily shaped parts or high-pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a closed circulated flow path to maintain a constant concentration of gas dissolved in a liquid, with degasification processes to remove impurities, and a vacuum container to accommodate the test piece before filling, allowing for efficient and safe leak detection under high-pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas dissolved liquid is used as trace fluid under high-pressure condition, then safety is improved and cost is reduced, but gas concentration becomes unstable and detector sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the liquid flow path into separate zones: a dissolution tank for gas saturation, a circulation path for maintaining concentration, and a test piece chamber. This segmentation allows the gas-dissolved liquid to be prepared and maintained separately from the detection zone, preventing vapor pollution while ensuring stable gas concentration in the test piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a continuous circulation system where the liquid flows from the dissolution tank through the test piece and returns to the dissolution tank. This continuous circulation maintains constant gas concentration in the liquid and prevents gas saturation from deteriorating, ensuring stable detection conditions over time.
2Measurement precision
If a high-pressure gas is used for leak test, then detection sensitivity is improved, but safety risk increases requiring protection chambers and unmanned operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a liquid as an intermediary medium to deliver gas to the test piece. Instead of directly using high-pressure gas, the gas is dissolved in liquid which then carries the gas through leak paths. This intermediary approach maintains detection sensitivity while eliminating the safety risks associated with high-pressure gas storage and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and delivery parameters of the gas by dissolving it in liquid form. This parameter change allows the gas to be delivered at low pressure through a liquid carrier, maintaining the ability to detect leaks while eliminating the need for high-pressure gas storage and associated safety risks.
3Reliability
If liquid is used as trace fluid under high-pressure condition, then safety is improved and cost is reduced, but waiting time increases for large test pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous circulation system keeps the liquid constantly moving through the test piece, maintaining fresh gas-saturated liquid in contact with the test piece surface. This continuous action accelerates the infiltration process compared to static liquid methods, reducing waiting time while maintaining safety benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers gas-saturated liquid to the test piece, maintains constant gas concentration, removes accumulated vapor, and cools the system. This multi-functionality addresses the waiting time issue while preserving safety advantages.
4Stability of the object's composition
If gas dissolved liquid is circulated to maintain constant concentration, then gas concentration stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolution tank is designed to automatically re-saturate the liquid with gas as it circulates back. The system uses the return flow itself as the medium for re-saturation, eliminating the need for separate gas injection systems or complex control mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains gas concentration stability while minimizing added complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe, efficient, and cost-effective leak testing under high-pressure conditions by ensuring constant gas concentration and minimizing detector pollution, applicable to various test piece shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
When a liquid as a trace fluid is used under a high-pressure condition of equal to or more than 1 MPa
Implementation Method 2
a gas dissolved liquid as a trace fluid is used
Implementation Method 3
the inspection chamber is subjected to vacuum by a vacuum pump
Implementation Method 4
a vacuum container whose interior can be under vacuum condition
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for leak test is provided with: a gas dissolution portion having function to degasify a unused liquid; a liquid filling and circulation portion for filling the gas dissolved liquid in the test piece; a high-pressure application portion for pressurizing the filled gas dissolved liquid; a leak test portion for detecting the gas in the liquid vapor leaking out in the vacuum container from leak hole(s) of the test piece resulting from high-pressure application; and a liquid collection portion for collecting the gas dissolved liquid as relieving high pressure. The leak test process under high pressure is conducted in the closed circulated flow path. The leak test process uses the liquid easy for gas to be dissolved and to flow through the leak hole(s). Further, the leak test process uses the gas easy to dissolve in the liquid or to be detected.