초록 ▼

A method of testing a product for leaks includes applying to the product a reference pressure that is less than 50.6 KPa. The method also includes developing a gas flow through a leak detection sensor in response to applying the reference pressure to the product. Another step of the method includes

A method of testing a product for leaks includes applying to the product a reference pressure that is less than 50.6 KPa. The method also includes developing a gas flow through a leak detection sensor in response to applying the reference pressure to the product. Another step of the method includes determining, based upon the gas flow between the product and the pressure system, whether the product leaked an unacceptable amount during the test period.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A leak detection system for testing a product having an opening for leak testing, comprising:a pressure system that maintains a reference pressure of less than 50.6 KPa during a test period; and a leak sensor coupled to the opening of the product via a first conduit and the pressure system via a

1. A leak detection system for testing a product having an opening for leak testing, comprising:a pressure system that maintains a reference pressure of less than 50.6 KPa during a test period; and a leak sensor coupled to the opening of the product via a first conduit and the pressure system via a second conduit, the leak sensor being operable to receive the reference pressure via the second conduit and apply the reference pressure to the product via the first conduit, develop a gas flow in one of the slip and molecular regimes from the product through the leak sensor to the pressure system as a result of applying the reference pressure to the product, and determine, based upon the gas flow through the leak sensor, whether the product leaked an unacceptable amount during the test period. 2. The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the pressure system maintains the reference pressure below 25.3 KPa.3. The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the pressure system maintains the reference pressure below 5 KPa.4. The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the pressure system maintains the reference pressure below 1.33 KPa.5. The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the pressure system maintains the reference pressure below 0.665 KPa.6. The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the pressure system maintains the reference pressure below 0.133 KPa.7. A leak detection system for testing a product having an opening for leak testing, comprising:a pressure system that maintains a reference pressure of less than 50.6 KPa during a test period; a leak sensor coupled to the opening of the product via a first conduit and the pressure system via a second conduit, the leak sensor including a static pressure sensor that senses a static pressure developed in the leak sensor, the leak sensor being operable to receive the reference pressure via the second conduit and apply the reference pressure to the product via the first conduit, develop a gas flow in one of the slip and molecular regimes from the product through the leak sensor to the pressure system as a result of applying the reference pressure to the product, and determine, based upon the gas flow through the leak sensor, whether the product leaked an unacceptable amount during the test period, and adjust the reference pressure via the flow controller in order to maintain the static pressure in the leak sensor at a predetermined level; and a flow controller coupled to the leak sensor that is operable to adjust the reference pressure applied to the product. 8. The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the leak sensor comprises:a body comprising a conical bore between a first end and a second of the body, a first receiving port through the body to the conical bore, and a second receiving port through the body to the conical bore, a center shaft positioned within the conical bore to define a flow gap such that a first end of the center shaft is within the conical bore and a second end of the center shaft is within the conical bore, a differential pressure sensor coupled to the conical bore via the first receiving port and the second receiving port, the differential pressure sensor operable to generate a differential pressure signal representative of a differential pressure developed between the first receiving port and the second receiving port, and a microcontroller coupled to the differential pressure sensor to receive the differential pressure signal, the microcontroller operable to determine whether the product leaked an unacceptable amount during the test period based upon the differential pressure signal, wherein the first receiving port is located between the first end of the body and the first end of the center shaft and the second receiving port is located between the second end of the body and the second end of the center shaft. 9. The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the leak sensor comprises:a body comprising a conical bore between a first end and a second of the body, a first receiving port through the body to the conical bore, and a second receiving port through the body to the conical bore, a center shaft positioned within the conical bore to define a flow gap, a manifold coupled to the body such that the manifold routes the first receiving port of the body to a first port of the manifold and the second receiving port of the body to a second port of the manifold, a differential pressure sensor coupled to the first receiving port and the second receiving port via the first port and the second port of the manifold, respectively, the differential pressure sensor being operable to generate a differential pressure signal representative of a differential pressure developed between the first receiving port and the second receiving port, and a microcontroller coupled to the differential pressure sensor to receive the differential pressure signal, the microcontroller operable to determine whether the product leaked an unacceptable amount during the test period based upon the differential pressure signal. 10. A leak detection system for testing a product for leaks, comprising:a pressure system that maintains a reference pressure of less than 50.6 KPa during a test period; a leak sensor coupled via a first conduit to a chamber configured to receive the product and via a second conduit to the pressure system, the leak sensor being operable to receive the reference pressure via the second conduit and apply the reference pressure to the product via the first conduit, develop a gas flow from the product through the leak sensor to the pressure system as a result of applying the reference pressure to the product, and determine, based upon the gas flow through the leak sensor, whether the product leaked an unacceptable amount during the test period; and a second pressure system coupled to the product to apply a test pressure to an interior of the product wherein the test pressure applied to the interior of the product is a maximum operating pressure for the product. 11. A leak detection system for testing a product for leaks, comprising:a pressure system that maintains a reference pressure of less than 50.6 KPa during a test period; a leak sensor coupled via a first conduit to a chamber configured to receive the product and via a second conduit to the pressure system, the leak sensor being operable to receive the reference pressure via the second conduit and apply the reference pressure to the product via the first conduit, develop a gas flow from the product through the leak sensor to the pressure system as a result of applying the reference pressure to the product, and determine, based upon the gas flow through the leak sensor, whether the product leaked an unacceptable amount during the test period; and a second pressure system coupled to the product to apply a test pressure to an interior of the product wherein the test pressure applied to the interior of the product is above a maximum operating pressure for the product.