Abstract:
A device (1) for checking pouches (9) adapted to contain a substance such as a liquid, a powder or a puree, comprising at least one carousel (2) adapted to convey the pouches (9), supporting them along its peripheral region (20), and at least one duct (50) for supplying a test fluid that is connected to at least one nozzle (51) insertable in a respective pouch (9) conveyed by the carousel (2). The device (1) further comprises means (52, 53) for detecting a variation in the pressure and/or flow rate of the test fluid in the supply duct (50) after the test fluid has been supplied to, or drawn from, the pouch (9) through the duct (50) and the nozzle (51).
Abstract:
A method of testing a product for leaks includes providing a pressure system (14, 240, 340, 440) for 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 (9, 220, 320, 420) in response to applying the reference pressure to the product. Another step of the method includes determining, based upon the gas flow between the prodct and the pressure system, whether the product leaked an unacceptable amount during the test period.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus (10) is disclosed for detecting leaks in a container (16) utilizing ultrasonic detection of airborne molecular movement of gas. An inlet (12) allows passage of gas into the container (16) at a predetermined pressure. An inlet passageway (18) receives the gas and transfers the gas to the container (16) via an outlet passageway (20). An ultrasonic transducer (24) is coupled between the inlet passageway (18) and the outlet passageway (20) for detecting movement of the gas as the gas enters the apparatus (10) and determines when the container (16) is completely filled upon detecting an absence of movement of the gas. The ultrasonic transducer (24) is further operative to detect subsequent movement of gas when the gas is allowed to enter the container (16) after the container (16) has been completely filled, wherein the subsequent movement of gas is indicative of a leak in the container (16).
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for detecting a leak in a closed, fluid transfer system, specifically a hydraulic system, by comparing the actual rate of fluid level change in the fluid reservoir to the rate of fluid level change computed from the rate of flow and capacity of the system wherein an actual rate of level change in excess of the computed change indicates leakage from the system. An apparatus for determining direction of flow through a conduit and method using the apparatus in which a magnet on a piston slidably engaged inside a valve body is caused to move thereby causing a variance in a measured inductance indicating the direction the piston has moved.
Abstract:
A system for determining a leak rate of a device during an adiabatic cooling phase (Fig. 6) is provided. The system includes a leak rate training system (116) receiving leak rate calibration data, such as pressure data or mass flow data for a device having a known leakage rate. The leak rate training system generates an adiabatic cooling model (600) from the leak rate calibration data, such as by solving a finite differente equation for one or more unknown process variables that are dependent on the adiabatic cooling parameters of the device. The system further includes a leak rate detection system (700) receiving the adiabatic cooling model and leak rate data and determining a leak rate component of the leak rate data using the adiabatic cooling model, such as by using the variable values determined through solving the finite difference model to interpolate between the leak rate calibration data that was gathered using known leakage rates.
Abstract:
A method and system for detecting leaks in a fuel dispenser (12) is operative to pneumatically pressurize a selectable one of a vapor recovery portion and a fuel dispensing portion using a compressed air flow (14). A flowmeter (18) measures the flow rate of the compressed air communicated to the fuel dispenser for pressurization thereof. A processor (32) provides an indication of the leakage condition of the fuel dispenser based upon the pneumatic flow rate measured by the flowmeter (18) which satisfies a pressurization condition for the fuel dispenser, such as maintaining the pressurization level above a threshold value. The flow rate of compressed air needed to maintain this pressurization level is indicative of the leak rate.
Abstract:
In one aspect of the invention for which protection is sought there is provided an apparatus (1) for providing access to pressurised pipes (24) and the like, the apparatus comprising: a body member (2) having attachment means for attachment of the body member to a pipe or vessel or a fitting coupled to a pipe or vessel, the body member having an internal barrel (6) that may be provided in fluid communication with the pipe or vessel or fitting when the body member is attached to the pipe or vessel or fitting; a hollow piston (3) slidable axially within the internal barrel, the apparatus being configured such that when an internal volume of the piston is pressurised by a fluid from the pipe or vessel a force exerted by pressurised fluid on the piston in a first axial direction is opposed by a force exerted by pressurised fluid on a counter-pressure portion (9, 10) of the piston, the apparatus being provided with a conduit orifice (15) adapted to allow a conduit (16) to be disposed therethrough so as to pass into the apparatus to an interior of the piston, wherein a pressure tight seal (15s) is formed between the conduit and conduit orifice, the apparatus being configured to allow a first end (3a) of the piston to be translated axially into the pipe, vessel or fitting, the piston having a port (21) arranged to allow egress of the conduit from the piston into the pipe, vessel or fitting.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of detecting leakages in pipe installations with supply and return pipes by means of a leakage control system (1 ), which comprises partly at least one shut-off valve (2) with an associated electric actuator (9) and a flow meter (3) arranged in the supply pipe (4) of the pipe installation, partly at least one shut-off value (5) with an associated actuator (9) and a flow meter (6) arranged in the return pipe (7) of the pipe installation, said shut-off valves (2, 5), actuators (9) and flow meters (3, 6) being connected with a control box (8). The control box is adapted to execute the method when running through a periodic course comprising a measurement and activity period followed by an inactive period, said measurement and activity period comprising - collection of flow data from the supply pipe (4) and the return pipe (7) with the associated flow meters (3, 6), - recording of the presence of air in the supply pipe (4) and the return pipe (7), - processing of the collected flow data in a computing unit, - recording of operational disturbances on the basis of the processed flow data, and - decision on intervention on the basis of the number of recorded error disturbances, if the number of error disturbances exceeds an error criterion (B), said error criterion (B) being corrected currently in accordance with the number of air indications. The invention moreover relates to a leakage control system for performing the method. Hereby, a method and a leakage control system are disclosed, which also tolerate the behaviour of ultrasound meters, without the system giving false alarms, and without reducing the sensitivity of the system.