Leak test fixture and method for using same

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:862497

Hawk, Lawrence S ^[1]

---

1. Knoxville, TN

A method and apparatus are provided which are especially useful for leak testing seams such as an end closure or joint in an article. The test does not require an enclosed pressurized volume within the article or joint section to be leak checked. A flexible impervious membrane is disposed over an area of the seamed surfaces to be leak checked and sealed around the outer edges. A preselected vacuum is applied through an opening in the membrane to evacuate the area between the membrane and the surface being leak checked to essentially collapse the membrane to conform to the article surface or joined adjacent surfaces. A pressure differential is concentrated at the seam bounded by the membrane and only the seam experiences a pressure differential as air or helium molecules are drawn into the vacuum system through a leak in the seam. A helium detector may be placed in a vacuum exhaust line from the membrane to detect the helium. Alternatively, the vacuum system may be isolated at a preselected pressure and leaks may be detected by a subsequent pressure increase in the vacuum system.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 3949596
• OSTI ID: 862497
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

leak
fixture
method
apparatus
provided
especially
useful
testing
seams
closure
joint
article
require
enclosed
pressurized
volume
section
checked
flexible
impervious
membrane
disposed
seamed
surfaces
sealed
outer
edges
preselected
vacuum
applied
evacuate
surface
essentially
collapse
conform
joined
adjacent
pressure
differential
concentrated
seam
bounded
experiences
air
helium
molecules
drawn
detector
placed
exhaust
line
detect
alternatively
isolated
leaks
detected
subsequent
increase
pressure increase
especially useful
pressure differential
adjacent surfaces
outer edge
selected pressure
preselected vacuum
outer edges
leak testing
vacuum exhaust
/73/