Vacuum Leak Testing for Wet Specimens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leak test methods are inefficient in detecting leaks in wet or damp test specimens due to liquid blocking, requiring sequential drying and testing, which is time-consuming and energy-intensive, and are sensitive to temperature and test volume, with risks of test gas contamination.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses vacuum levels to evaporate moisture from the test specimen, allowing for simultaneous drying and leak testing in ambient atmosphere without special test gases, utilizing a quadrupole mass spectrometer to detect leaks by analyzing vacuum components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequential drying and leak testing is performed, then liquid blockages are removed and leaks can be detected, but processing time is extended and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying process and leak testing into a single integrated process. The test chamber simultaneously evaporates moisture from the test specimen and performs leak detection using pressure measurement, eliminating the need for sequential operations and reducing total processing time while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying and leak testing operations are performed continuously in parallel within the same test chamber environment. The vacuum pump continuously removes moisture vapor while the pressure sensor continuously monitors for leaks, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without interruption or time loss between steps.
2Reliability
If heating is applied to dry test specimens, then moisture is removed effectively, but energy consumption and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through evaporation driven by vacuum pressure reduction. By lowering the pressure in the test chamber, the boiling point of water decreases, allowing moisture to evaporate at ambient temperature without requiring external heating, thus eliminating energy consumption while maintaining effective drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal mechanism (heating) with a mechanical mechanism (vacuum pressure reduction) to achieve the same drying effect. The vacuum pump creates a pressure differential that drives moisture evaporation and removal, substituting thermal energy input with mechanical work to achieve drying without energy-intensive heating.
3Measurement precision
If test gases are used for leak testing, then leak detection sensitivity is improved, but risk of test gas contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the ambient atmosphere itself as the test medium for leak detection. The pressure sensor measures pressure changes caused by air leakage into or out of the test specimen, utilizing the naturally present air rather than introducing special test gases. This eliminates contamination risks while maintaining adequate leak detection sensitivity through precise pressure measurement.
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, temperature-independent leak detection in large volumes without test gas contamination, effectively removing liquid blockages and ensuring continuous processing of components.
Implementation Method 1
a) Generating a first vacuum level in the test space to be tested of the test specimen with an evacuation arrangement and maintaining this first vacuum level at the evaporation pressure of water or a liquid to be removed, so that the water, liquid and/or moisture is evaporated due to the lower pressure within the test space and is removed by the evacuation arrangement
Implementation Method 2
c) Checking the evacuated test space of the test specimen for leaks by analyzing the components of the vacuum within the test space to be tested of the test specimen with a quadrupole mass spectrometer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a test specimen drying and leak testing method for at least one wet and/or moist test specimen, wherein - the use of a special test gas is dispensed with for the leak test, - the leak test is carried out under ambient atmosphere, and after sealing the test chamber of the test specimen to be dried and leak tested, at least the following steps are carried out: a) generating a first vacuum level in the test chamber of the test specimen to be tested with an evacuation arrangement and maintaining this first vacuum level at the evaporation pressure of water or a liquid to be removed, so that the water, liquid and/or moisture in the test chamber of the test specimen to be tested evaporates due to the lower pressure within the test chamber and is removed by the evacuation arrangement;b) Generating a second vacuum level with the evacuation arrangement in the test chamber of the test specimen, wherein the second vacuum level is higher than the first vacuum level; and c) testing the evacuated test chamber of the test specimen for leaks by analyzing the components of the vacuum within the test chamber of the test specimen with a quadrupole mass spectrometer, wherein a leak test is performed based on a component or components, their intensity change, their partial pressure(s), and/or their change over time within the test chamber of the test specimen. The invention further relates to a test specimen drying and leak test arrangement for testing with the test specimen drying and leak test method.