Pico Test Leak Device Capillary Humidity Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test leaks cannot achieve leak rates of 10^-12 mbarl/s or less, which are necessary for testing gas leak detectors for very small leaks, due to capillary blockage by humidity at lower sizes.
Innovation Solution
A test leak device with a cylindrical container filled with at least 10% atmospheric air, containing helium and argon, and a capillary with a leak rate of 10^-5 to 10^-7 mbarl/s, avoiding clogging and allowing for compact design and easy filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the capillary size is reduced to achieve lower leak rates, then the leak rate decreases, but the capillary becomes blocked by humidity and becomes unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gas composition parameter inside the container from pure test gas to a mixture containing 1-50% atmospheric air. This parameter change modifies the humidity content and chemical composition of the gas, preventing capillary blockage while maintaining the required low leak rate of 10^-12 mbarl/s or less.
2Ease of manufacture
If a separate filling nozzle is added to fill the container, then the container can be filled with test gas, but the external dimensions increase and use in small test chambers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed to be filled simply by removing the end cap and allowing gas to flow in naturally. The container serves itself by using its own structure (open end cap) as the filling mechanism, eliminating the need for external filling nozzles and keeping dimensions compact for use in small test chambers.
3Volume of moving object
If the container surface area is reduced for use in small test chambers, then the container fits in smaller spaces, but filling and evacuation become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into a cylindrical body and a separate end cap. This segmentation allows the end cap to be removed for easy filling and evacuation operations, while the main cylindrical body maintains a compact size suitable for small test chambers. The segmented design provides access without requiring the entire container to be large.
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 effective testing of gas leak detectors with a leak rate of 10^-12 mbarl/s, maintaining capillary functionality and facilitating use in small test chambers without external filling nozzles.
Implementation Method 1
The capillary should have a leak rate in the range of about 10 -5 mbarl/s to 10 -7 mbarl/s and preferably about 10 -6 mbarl/s
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Test leak device including a gas-filled container and a capillary extending through a container wall. The gas including at least 10% of atmospheric air.