Leak Detection Dome for Sealed Membrane Weld Beads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leak detection methods for sealed and thermally insulating tanks, particularly those with corrugated sealing membranes, face challenges in reliability and efficiency due to bulky detection tools and slow operation, which hinder effective testing of weld beads and junction zones.
Innovation Solution
A leak detection dome with a flexible sealing lip and mechanical pressure means that creates a detection chamber with reduced pressure, allowing for quick and reliable detection of leaks by analyzing gases within the chamber using a connected analysis tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bulky detection tool connected to a carriage on the bottom wall is used, then the detection method can verify weld beads, but the tool is slow and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into a mobile detection dome that can be independently positioned and operated at different locations along the weld bead, rather than moving a single bulky tool along the entire length. This allows parallel detection operations and rapid repositioning between test zones.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible connection system with sufficient cable length acts as an intermediary between the detection dome and the control/carriage system, enabling the detection dome to move freely and independently while maintaining connection to the control system and tracer gas supply.
2Device complexity
If the detection tool verifies only a small portion of the weld bead at a time, then the tool can be manageable in size, but the detection process becomes very slow
Solution Approach 1:
The weld bead detection is segmented into multiple test zones, with the detection dome able to quickly reposition between zones. Each zone is tested independently but rapidly, allowing the system to cover the entire weld bead length through sequential zone testing rather than slow continuous scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection dome is pre-positioned at specific test zones along the weld bead, and multiple zones can be prepared for detection in advance. This allows rapid switching between zones without requiring continuous movement and reconfiguration of the detection system.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tracer gas injection is not homogeneous throughout the primary insulating space, then the injection process is simpler, but the detection results become unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring homogeneous tracer gas distribution throughout the entire primary insulating space, the system uses localized detection zones where the tracer gas concentration is sufficient for reliable detection. The detection dome creates a confined test chamber that concentrates the tracer gas analysis to specific local areas rather than requiring uniform distribution across the whole space.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connection system with sufficient cable length acts as an intermediary that allows the detection dome to be positioned optimally at each test zone, ensuring reliable tracer gas detection at localized areas without requiring homogeneous distribution throughout the entire insulating space.
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 accurate detection of leaks in sealed membranes by ensuring a secure seal over the test zone, allowing for efficient testing of large areas with minimal operator effort and improved sensitivity to detect tracer gases or ambient air components.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump connected to the detection chamber to generate a reduced pressure in the detection chamber
Implementation Method 2
a seal connected to the main body and configured to define a detection chamber between the main body and the test zone, the seal including a peripheral lip seal configured to come into contact with the sealing membrane
Implementation Method 3
an analysis tool connected to the detection chamber to analyze a gas present in the detection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Leak detection device having a dome with a main body and a seal configured to define a detection chamber between the main body and the test zone, the seal including a peripheral sealing lip configured to come into contact with the sealing membrane and having a closed contour encircling the detection chamber, an analysis tool connected to the detection chamber to analyze a gas present in the detection chamber in which the sealing lip is configured to have at least in a service state in which a reduced pressure is applied in the detection chamber, a pinch portion that is pinched between the main body and the sealing membrane.