METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING LEAKS IN CONTAINERS

• Main Author: DUNCANSON R,US
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.12.1974
• Subjects: MEASURING; PHYSICS; TESTING; TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES ORSTRUCTURES; TESTING STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

A method of detecting for leakage from a container of organic molecules in the gaseous or vapor state, by positioning the container adjacent a pair of spaced electrodes, directing a stream of substantially pure air past the exterior surfaces of the pressurized container and between the electrodes, maintaining an electric field of sufficient strength between the pair of electrodes to cause a corona to form about one of the electrodes with a small erratic flow of current between the electrodes, and detecting the greater, more constant current flow resulting from the presence of organic molecules which contaminate the air flowing between the electrodes. The apparatus for leak detection includes a plurality of container testing chambers with associated pairs of electrodes arranged on a rotatable platform, means for continuously energizing the electrodes to cause a corona to form on one electrode with a small erratic current flow between the electrodes, means for directing a stream of substantially pure air into the chambers and past the electrodes, and means for detecting the greater, more constant flow of current between the electrodes as the contaminated stream flows past the electrodes.