Leak Detector Valve State Detection via Pressure Pulse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leak detection devices risk contaminating the test object and altering its pressure when venting, which should be avoided if the object is still connected, as it can lead to inaccurate results and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A pressure measurement device and selectively controllable venting valve are used to determine if the isolation valve is closed before allowing venting, ensuring that gas flows only when the valve is closed, preventing accidental venting of the test object by measuring pressure differences and using a short gas pulse to assess the valve state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the venting valve is opened to vent the leak detection device, then the device can be safely vented, but the test object may be contaminated and its pressure altered
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary check by measuring pressure before venting to determine whether the isolation valve is closed. This preliminary action prevents harmful venting of the test object by detecting the valve state in advance, allowing safe venting only when the isolation valve is confirmed closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressure measurement feedback to determine the state of the isolation valve. By measuring pressure before and after a test venting pulse, the system receives feedback about whether the isolation valve is open or closed, and uses this feedback to control whether main venting should be permitted.
2Ease of operation
If automatic venting is enabled, then venting can be performed quickly and conveniently, but accidental venting of the test object may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic venting system incorporates feedback control by measuring pressure to determine isolation valve state before executing venting. The system only automatically vents when pressure measurements confirm the isolation valve is closed, preventing accidental venting while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-checks by automatically measuring pressure and determining valve state before venting. This self-service mechanism ensures that the system verifies safe conditions before executing automatic venting, eliminating the need for manual verification while maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If pressure measurement is performed before venting, then the valve state can be determined accurately, but the venting process takes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed venting instead of continuous venting to perform the pressure measurement check. A brief pulse is applied to test the valve state, then the main venting proceeds if conditions are safe. This periodic approach maintains measurement accuracy while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure measurement is performed rapidly as a preliminary step before the main venting process. By skipping detailed measurements and using only critical pressure checks, the system achieves sufficient accuracy for valve state detection while minimizing the time added to the overall venting process.
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
This method ensures secure and improved venting of the leak detection device by preventing venting when the isolation valve is open, maintaining the test object's integrity and accuracy, and allowing safe venting only when the valve is closed, thus avoiding contamination and pressure changes.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure measurement device measures the pressure p(t1) at the port and thereafter, the venting valve is temporarily opened in a pulse-like manner and then closed again, so that during the duration of the short pulse, gas flows from the surrounding atmosphere into the connection line and into the port
Implementation Method 2
during the duration of the short pulse, gas flows from the surrounding atmosphere into the connection line and into the port
Data Source
AI summary
A leak detection device (10) comprising a gas detector (12), a vacuum pump (14), a port for a test object (22) and a gas conducting path connecting the port to the gas detector (12) and the vacuum pump (14), is characterized in that the port (16) comprises a controllable isolation valve (20) for the selective opening or closing of the port (16), and that a pressure measurement device (24) for measuring the pressure at the port (16) is provided and the connection line (18) comprises a controllable venting valve (V3, V3a) for selectively allowing gas from the surrounding atmosphere to flow to the port (16) in a pulse-like manner, wherein the leak detection device (10) is configured to measure the pressure p(t1) at the port (16) at a first time t1 before the opening of the venting valve, thereafter to open and close the venting valve in a pulse-like manner and to measure the pressure p(t2) at the port (16) at least at a time t2>t1 after the closing of the venting valve and to determine, whether the isolation valve (20) is open or closed based on the measured pressures p(t1), p(t2).