Shielded Sniffer Probe for Backside Pipe Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sniffer probes face challenges in detecting gas leaks on the backside of pipes due to reduced sensitivity and the need for increased gas flow or manual probe movement, particularly on refrigerator pipes with leaks of 0.5 g/a.
Innovation Solution
A sniffer probe with flexible, elongated shielding elements surrounding the intake opening, forming a test cavity that shields the intake from external environment, reducing air turbulence and allowing gas to be drawn in efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas flow is increased to detect leaks on the backside of pipes, then detection capability is improved, but sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is segmented into multiple functional zones: the intake opening for gas sampling, the test cavity formed by shielding elements for containing the sampling region, and the connecting line to the detector. This segmentation allows the probe to create a controlled sampling environment that improves both sensitivity and detection capability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding elements act as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the intake opening. They create a protected test cavity that mediates the gas flow, allowing sensitive detection while maintaining effective sampling from pipe backside locations
2Quantity of substance
If gas flow is increased to draw in leaking gas from pipe backside, then gas intake is improved, but detection sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding elements are designed as flexible, elongated structures that can adapt to pipe geometries while maintaining the test cavity. This flexibility allows the probe to effectively sample gas from various pipe configurations including backside locations, increasing gas intake volume without compromising detection sensitivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If probe is moved around the pipe to detect backside leaks, then detection coverage is improved, but inspection time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The probe design provides multi-functionality by enabling detection from multiple orientations and positions. The shielding elements create a universal test cavity that can sample gas regardless of whether the probe approaches from the front, back, or side of the pipe, allowing comprehensive coverage without requiring multiple specialized probe configurations
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
Enhances the detection of gas leaks on the backside of pipes by maintaining sensitivity and reducing the need for increased gas flow or manual probe movement, improving detection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The shielding elements shield the sniffer tip and the suction opening from the external environment of the sniffer probe in such a way that, when the gas is sucked in, the air movement occurs primarily from outside the sniffer probe inwards into the interior of the cavity, so that the interior of the test cavity is primarily sucked through the main sniffer line. The effects of air turbulence in the area outside the sniffer probe on the suction of gas escaped through a leak are thus reduced.
Implementation Method 2
a sniffer tip (12, 14) having an intake opening (16, 18)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a sniffer probe (10) for drawing in gas when searching for gas leaks, the sniffer probe having at least one sniffer tip (11), and an intake opening (16) being provided which is connected via a connecting line to a main sniffer line which can be connected to a gas leak detector. The sniffer tip (11) is provided in the region of the intake opening (16) with flexible elongated shielding elements (30) which project from the sniffer tip (11) in such a way that the intake opening (16) is shielded from the exterior environment (38) of the sniffer probe (10) on all sides.