Leak Testing Calibration via Two-Chamber Reference Orifices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leak testing instrumentation lacks standardized calibration and self-diagnostic capabilities, leading to inconsistent and unreliable test results, as different equipment from various manufacturers may not be accurately calibrated, potentially causing improper pass-fail determinations.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a two-chamber vessel with access ports and flow controlling reference orifices to objectively test the performance and acceptability of leak testing devices by measuring pressure changes over time under different conditions, including varying pressures, flow rates, and temperatures, ensuring repeatability and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If leak testing is performed using equipment from different manufacturers with different calibration standards, then testing versatility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inconsistent calibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting versatilityVSAvoidleak rate measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A standardized reference orifice plate serves as an intermediary calibration standard between different leak testing devices from various manufacturers. This reference standard with precisely known flow characteristics enables cross-calibration of different equipment, ensuring measurement precision is maintained across diverse testing systems while preserving testing versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If leak testing is performed without standardized calibration procedures, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inconsistent test results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting ease of operationVSAvoidtest result reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Reference orifice plates with pre-determined, precisely known flow characteristics are prepared in advance and used as calibration standards. This preliminary preparation of known reference standards enables reliable calibration procedures that can be systematically applied across different leak testing devices, ensuring consistent and reliable test results while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple reference orifices with different flow rates are used for calibration, then measurement precision across different leak rates is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak rate measurement precisionVSAvoidcalibration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration system is segmented into multiple reference orifice plates, each with precisely known flow characteristics for different leak rate ranges. This segmentation allows the calibration system to handle various leak rates with appropriate precision by selecting the suitable reference orifice, maintaining measurement precision across different conditions while managing system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides a standardized approach to calibrate and validate leak testing instruments, ensuring consistent and reliable results by determining their accuracy and repeatability, thereby ensuring product integrity and quality control.

Implementation Method 1

a flow controlling reference orifice associated with each chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow control through orifice: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

pressure sensing devices and data processors which compute the leak rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS9074959B2Method for evaluating the accuracy and repeatability of leak testing instruments

Publication Date: 2015.07.07 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method of determining the accuracy and repeatability of leak testing instrumentation comprises the following steps: providing a two chamber vessel having an access port and a flow controlling reference orifice associated with each chamber and a third reference orifice communicating between the two chambers, providing a leak testing device and connecting such leak testing device first to one of such ports, pressurizing the associated chamber and, with the associated orifice open, observing and recording the pressure measured by the leak testing device under test as a function of time. The second test repeats this activity with the other chamber and the other orifice. A third test is undertaken with the third orifice open. One of the chambers is smaller and incorporates a smaller orifice and the other chamber is larger and incorporates a larger orifice thus achieving leak testing under different conditions.