Leak Testing Gas-Filled Containers Using Test Gas Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current leak testing methods are limited to containers filled with liquids and cannot effectively test containers filled with solids or gases, as they require exposure to an external pressure lower than the vapor pressure of the liquid content, making it difficult to detect leaks in gas-filled containers without compromising their integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving subjecting closed, at least partially gas-filled containers to an atmosphere of test gas at a pressure higher than the internal pressure, using a test gas with specific gas species to penetrate and sense leaks, allowing for the detection of extremely small leaks by monitoring the amount of gas species within the container using techniques like laser light transmission or reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external pressure lower than vapor pressure of liquid content is applied for leak testing, then liquid evaporation through leaks can be detected, but this method is limited to liquid-filled containers and cannot be applied to gas-filled or solid-filled containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional leak testing approach by applying overpressure instead of underpressure. Rather than creating a pressure difference that causes liquid to evaporate and escape through leaks, the method pressurizes the container with test gas from the outside, causing gas to penetrate through leaks into the container interior. This inversion enables universal application to containers filled with any state of matter (gas, liquid, or solid) while maintaining reliable leak detection capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If overpressure of test gas is applied to detect leaks in gas-filled containers, then leak detection becomes possible for any filling type, but the complexity of the testing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical leak detection systems with a combination of simple gas pressurization and optical sensing. Instead of using mechanical gauges or complex measurement devices to detect gas penetration, the method employs laser-based optical sensors that detect the presence and concentration of test gas species through the container wall. This substitution dramatically simplifies the overall testing apparatus while enabling universal application to all container types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a test gas with specific detectable species as an intermediary medium between the external pressure source and the leak detection system. This test gas acts as a carrier that penetrates through leaks and can be optically detected, bridging the gap between the simple mechanical pressurization system and the optical sensing system. The intermediary test gas enables the decoupling of the pressurization function from the detection function, reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If laser sensing is used to detect gas species through container walls, then extremely small leaks down to 1 μm diameter can be detected, but the container wall must be transparent to laser light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from direct internal sensing to external sensing through the container wall. Instead of placing sensors inside the container to detect gas species, the method uses laser sensing from the outside, detecting test gas penetration through the container wall. This dimensional shift allows detection of extremely small leaks (1 μm diameter) while working with the container's existing structure, though it does require laser transparency of the wall material.
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 accurate and efficient leak detection in containers filled with any state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas) by selectively penetrating test gas into the container, allowing for the detection of leaks as small as 1 μm diameter, even in containers where the test gas species is not initially present, thereby ensuring the container's integrity is maintained.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting a closed, at least partially gas filled container to an atmosphere of test gas at a pressure which is larger than pressure prevailing within the close, at least partially gas filled container
Implementation Method 2
The sensing thereby comprises subjecting the gas in the closed and at least partially gas filled container to the light of the beam of the laser, which beam being applied onto the addressed wall. The amount of gas species in the container is sensed from such light being transmitted through and/or being reflected from the closed and at least partially gas filled container.
Data Source
AI summary
For detected smallest leak in closed containers, which are at least to a part filled with a gas, the container (1) is pressurized by a test gas (g(s)) for an amount of time. The test gas (g(s)) comprises a gas species (s). The amount of the addressed gas species (s) which has penetrated in the container 1 it is sensed (7) as a leak indication.