The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 24, 1993
Filed:
Feb. 26, 1991
Donald C Gates, Troy, MI (US);
Expertek, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for leak testing a fluid containing chamber wherein the chamber is pressurized with a gas and is submerged in a liquid. The bubbles of gas rising from the submerged chamber are directed past a plurality of a predetermined locations that are each in optical communication with a photoelectric detector. The signals from the detectors are counted and when the number of bubbles exceeds a predetermined number, a signal is activated indicating a leaking container. By grouping a number of adjacent photoelectric detectors into a predetermined set, the apparatus can discriminate between random bubbles rising from the chamber surface as it is submerged and a number of bubbles all originating from a given location indicating a leak. The photoelectric detectors may be positioned in the liquid adjacent the predetermined locations or positioned out of the liquid and coupled to the predetermined locations by fiber optic cables. Alternatively, a laser beam can be directed across the predetermined location and received by a detector on the opposite side of the laser source. When a bubble interrupts the laser beam, a signal is generated.