Leak Tightness Verification Device Using Thermal Pressure Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sealing verification devices require numerous measurements over a long period to detect small leaks in sealed enclosures, making them resource-intensive and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A device with an electronic processing module and precision module that performs simultaneous pressure and temperature measurements, using a formula to calculate leak rates and detect leaks quickly by comparing pressure and temperature data across a determined time interval, and includes features like differential pressure measurement and pressurized gas regulation for precise leak detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If numerous measurements are taken over a long period to detect small leaks, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak detection precisionVSAvoidtesting duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter being measured from pressure alone to temperature, exploiting the thermal effect of gas leakage. By measuring temperature variations caused by adiabatic expansion of leaking gas, the system achieves rapid leak detection without requiring long-term pressure monitoring, thus resolving the contradiction between detection precision and testing duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure measurement system with a thermal measurement system. Instead of using pressure sensors to detect gradual pressure changes over time, the system uses temperature sensors to detect immediate thermal effects of leakage, dramatically reducing the detection time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If numerous measurements are taken over a long period to detect small leaks, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak detection precisionVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex pressure measurement systems with simpler temperature measurement systems. Temperature sensors and thermal cameras are generally simpler devices than high-precision pressure sensors requiring long-term stable operation, thus reducing device complexity while improving detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing from pressure parameter to temperature parameter, the system simplifies the measurement approach. Temperature measurements can be taken immediately and do not require the same level of measurement stability and duration as pressure measurements, reducing both device complexity and resource requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If temperature compensation is implemented using precision module, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter to compensate for environmental effects on pressure measurements. By measuring temperature and using it to correct pressure readings, the system achieves higher precision without requiring fundamentally more complex measurement equipment, just additional sensing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature sensor serves multiple functions: it compensates for environmental temperature effects on pressure measurements, detects thermal effects of leakage, and provides data for calculating corrected pressure values. This multi-functionality justifies the addition without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 detection of small leaks in a few seconds, is compact and portable, and accurately detects leaks as low as mbar/24h, significantly reducing the time and resources needed for tightness testing.

Implementation Method 1

a first pressure sensor disposed in said measurement space and transmitting to the electronic processing module, via a first communication link, a first signal (M6) representative of the pressure in the enclosure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

the precision module comprising at least one temperature sensor transmitting to the processing module, via a second communication link, a second signal (M9) representative of the surrounding temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 3

a pressurizing device (14, 15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurization: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 4

a flow meter (23) arranged in a passage (24) of said measurement space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3241008B1Device for verifying leak tightness
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 ISP AQUITAINE
  • EP3241008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3241008B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3241008B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns a device for verifying (1) the leak tightness of an enclosure (2) under a determined pressure, connected in a leak-tight manner to a closed measurement volume (3) arranged within said device (1) which comprises a processing module (5) and a pressure sensor (4) transmitting a signal (M6), representative of the pressure in the enclosure (2), to the processing module. The verification device (1) further comprises a precision module interacting with the electronic processing module (5) in such a way as to eliminate the effect of temperature variations in the surrounding environment (7) during execution of processing operations of at least said signal (M6) representative of the pressure in the enclosure (2) and detection of a leak in the enclosure (2).