Portable Leak Bell Sealing for Fast Weld Seam Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leak detection methods for sealed and thermally insulating tanks, such as those used for LNG, are inefficient due to bulky equipment that requires extensive setup and slow operation, making it difficult to reliably test all weld seams in a timely manner.
Innovation Solution
A leak detection bell-like member with a main body and sealing joint that forms a detection chamber, equipped with a vacuum pump and analysis equipment, allows for rapid and reliable detection of leaks by generating reduced pressure and analyzing gases within the chamber, featuring a flexible sealing lip that pinches between the main body and the sealing membrane, and optional sighting devices for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky detection equipment is used to ensure reliable leak detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into a portable bell-like member that can be independently positioned and operated, separating the detection function from the bulky fixed equipment. The bell-like member includes integrated sealing lips and vacuum pump connections, creating a self-contained detection unit that maintains reliability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell-like member acts as an intermediary between the tracer gas distribution system and the fixed detection equipment. It receives tracer gas through injection means and connects to analysis equipment via flexible conduits, enabling reliable detection while allowing flexible positioning and reducing the need for complex fixed infrastructure.
2Reliability
If extensive setup is performed to ensure complete coverage of weld seams, then detection completeness is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Tracer gas is preliminarily distributed throughout the insulating space before the bell-like member is positioned at specific weld seams. This preliminary action ensures that tracer gas is already present at all potential leak locations, eliminating the need for time-consuming setup at each detection point and enabling rapid sequential inspection of multiple weld seams.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous tracer gas presence in the insulating space throughout the detection process. The bell-like member can be continuously moved from one weld seam to another without interrupting the tracer gas distribution, allowing uninterrupted detection operations and minimizing idle time between measurement points.
3Measurement precision
If slow sequential detection method is used to ensure thorough inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bell-like member enables continuous detection operations by maintaining constant tracer gas presence and allowing rapid sequential positioning at multiple weld seams. The flexible sealing lips ensure continuous sealing contact during movement, and the vacuum pump system continuously抽s gas for analysis, eliminating idle time between measurements while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static sequential detection to dynamic continuous detection. The bell-like member is designed for rapid positioning and movement along weld seams, with flexible sealing lips that adapt dynamically during movement. The vacuum pump and analysis equipment operate continuously, converting the detection process into a dynamic operation that maintains precision while significantly increasing productivity.
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 rapid and reliable detection of leaks in sealed tanks by efficiently covering large areas with minimal setup, allowing for precise analysis of gas presence and pressure reduction, thus improving the speed and accuracy of leak detection in thermally insulating tank weld seams.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump which is connected to the detection chamber to generate a reduced pressure in the detection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a leak detection device comprising:a portable leak detection bell-like member comprising a sealing joint and configured to define a detection chamber between the main body and the test zone, the detection bell-like member further comprising a carrying handle which is provided with a control member which can be manually activated to produce a control signal,a gas suction circuit which is intended to connect the detection chamber to a vacuum pump, the gas suction circuit being provided with a controlled valve which can be switched into an open state to connect the detection chamber to the vacuum pump and a closed state to isolate the detection chamber from the vacuum pump, anda control unit which is configured to switch the controlled valve in response to the control signal.