Inspection methods and systems for detecting leaks in vacuum bag assemblies

• Main Authors: Gordo Arias, Ángel Pablo, Álvarez Antoñón, Laura, Jordán Carnicero, Francisco Javier, Miguez Charines, Yolanda, Galera Córdoba, Georgina, Pérez Pastor, Augusto
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.05.2018
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; MEASURING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TESTING; TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES ORSTRUCTURES; TESTING STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

Inspection methods and systems for detecting leaks in a vacuum bag assembly used in the manufacture of a composite part based on spraying helium over the vacuum bag and detecting the helium drawn by the vacuum inside the vacuum bag through a leak. The inspection methods comprise creating a local helium atmosphere in a chamber over the vacuum bag assembly by zones, following a programmed zonal sequence, for a first leak detection test of each zone and a subsequent second leak detection test if the first test gives a positive result. The inspection systems comprise a helium spraying system and helium detecting equipment arranged to implement the inspection methods.