High sensitivity leak detection method and apparatus

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869475

Myneni, Ganapatic R ^[1]

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1. Grafton, VA

An improved leak detection method is provided that utilizes the cyclic adsorption and desorption of accumulated helium on a non-porous metallic surface. The method provides reliable leak detection at superfluid helium temperatures. The zero drift that is associated with residual gas analyzers in common leak detectors is virtually eliminated by utilizing a time integration technique. The sensitivity of the apparatus of this disclosure is capable of detecting leaks as small as 1.times.10.sup.-18 atm cc sec.sup.-1.

• Research Organization: Southeastern Universities Research Associations (SURA), Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84ER40150
• Assignee: Southeastern Universities Research Association (Newport News, VA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5343740
• OSTI ID: 869475
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

sensitivity
leak
detection
method
apparatus
improved
provided
utilizes
cyclic
adsorption
desorption
accumulated
helium
non-porous
metallic
surface
provides
reliable
superfluid
temperatures
zero
drift
associated
residual
gas
analyzers
common
detectors
virtually
eliminated
utilizing
time
integration
technique
disclosure
capable
detecting
leaks
times
10
-18
atm
cc
-1
residual gas
virtually eliminated
detection method
leak detection
porous metal
method provides
leak detector
method provide
detecting leaks
time integration
porous metallic
reliable leak
provides reliable
gas analyzer
virtually eliminate
helium temperatures
metallic surface
atm cc
/73/62/