WO1996014561A1 - Procede et dispositif permettant de tester l'etancheite d'un recipient ferme - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif permettant de tester l'etancheite d'un recipient ferme Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996014561A1
WO1996014561A1 PCT/SE1994/001104 SE9401104W WO9614561A1 WO 1996014561 A1 WO1996014561 A1 WO 1996014561A1 SE 9401104 W SE9401104 W SE 9401104W WO 9614561 A1 WO9614561 A1 WO 9614561A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pressure
limit value
level
container
time period
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1994/001104
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Bo Harde
Original Assignee
Ab Volvo
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ab Volvo filed Critical Ab Volvo
Publication of WO1996014561A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996014561A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
    • G01M3/32—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators
    • G01M3/3236—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators by monitoring the interior space of the containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for testing the air-tightness of a container in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.
  • the invention also relates to a device for such testing in accordance with the preamble of claim 4.
  • a system for air-tightness testing of a fuel tank is previously known from US-A-5261379.
  • the basic principle of this system is that air is pumped out of the tank by means of a vacuum pump, after which the pressure in the tank is measured and compared with a certain threshold level.
  • the device is intended to be used in a motor vehicle which is running, and is not directed towards the problem of preventing leakage by controlling the air-tightness of a tank as early as during the manufacture of the vehicle.
  • a main object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device which provide a simplified and cheap, although safe, testing of the air-tightness of closed containers, in particular fuel tanks for motor vehicle, in connection with manufacture or service of the motor vehicle. This is accomplished by means of a method, the features of which will become apparent from the characterizing portion of claim 1.
  • the invention also relates to a device for such testing, the features of which will become apparent from the characterizing portion of claim 4.
  • the pressure in the tank is lowered by means of a pump. Subsequently, a first level detection is carried out, wherein the prevailing pressure in the tank is compared with a first limit value and the pump is switched off if the pressure is below this limit value, and a second level detection after a certain time period has elapsed, wherein the pressure is compared with a second limit value and an indication of a leakage is issued if the second limit value is exceeded. In this manner, a safe and reliable measurement is achieved in which the result of the measurements is not presented until said time period has elapsed.
  • the invention comprises a further level detection, wherein the value of the pressure is compared with a third limit value which corresponds to an overpressure in the fuel tank. An indication is issued if said third limit value is exceeded. In this manner, an advantage as regards safety is provided in the case where an unallowable overpressure exists in the fuel tank.
  • a current switch in the form of a thyristor is used, which thyristor is influenced by the above-mentioned level detections so that the pump is switched off when the pressure is below said first pressure level and can only be switched on again after a new manual triggering of the device.
  • Fig. 1 shows the invention in a schematic form.
  • Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of a device according to the invention
  • Fig. 3 shows a graph of the operation according to Fig. 2
  • Fig. 4 shows a detailed electrical circuit of the invention according to a preferred embodiment.
  • Fig. 1 shows a device according to the present invention in the form of a block diagram.
  • the device comprises a central testing unit 1, the design of which will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 4.
  • a pressure sensor 2 is connected to the testing unit 1, which sensor is in turn arranged at a measuring object in the form of a tank 3.
  • the tank 3 is the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, but the invention can also be used in connection with other types of containers and vessels, the air-tightness of which it is desired to test.
  • the pressure sensor 2 supplies a signal to the testing unit
  • the testing unit 1 is connected to a display 4 which shows a measurement of the signal which is supplied from the pressure sensor 2. Furthermore, the testing unit 1 comprises a first indicator 5 and a second indicator 6, which preferably are in the form of light emitting diodes having different colours, for example red and green, respectively.
  • the indicators 5, 6 indicate different pressure levels, in accordance with that which will be described in greater detail below.
  • a third indicator 7 in the form of a yellow light emitting diode is provided, which indicator indicates that a testing procedure is in progress.
  • a supply voltage is supplied to the testing unit 1 by means of a power supply unit 8 of conventional kind.
  • a push button 9 in the form of a spring-back switch is also connected to the testing unit 1. The push button 9 is used to trigger the measuring operation for the air-tightness testing.
  • the testing unit 1 is also connected to a pump 10, the operation of which can be controlled electrically by means of signals which are supplied by the testing unit 1.
  • the purpose of the pump 10 is to pump out air from the tank 3 so as to lower the pressure in the tank 3.
  • the pump 10 is connected to the tank 3 via a first hose 11 and to the surrounding air via a second hose 12.
  • Fig. 2 shows a flow chart for a method for tightness testing according to the invention. It should be noted that the numerals shown in Fig. 3 correspond to the reference numerals in Fig. 2.
  • the pressure sensor 2 When the tightness of the tank is to be tested, the pressure sensor 2 is first connected to the testing unit 1. Furthermore, the pump 10 is connected to the tank 3. The testing of the tightness of the fuel tank is triggered by pressing the start button 9 to initiate a measuring cycle (box 13). This causes the pump 10 to be activated by means of the testing unit 1 (box 14). Simultaneously, a time measurement is initiated in a time measuring circuit which forms part of the testing unit (box 15). The time measurement proceeds during a certain time period t 0 . When the pump 10 is activated, the pressure p in the tank 3 will decrease due to the fact that air is pumped out of the tank 3. This operation is shown in Fig.
  • the testing unit 1 is adapted to control whether the time t 0 has elapsed (box 18). As long as this has not yet occured, a control as to whether the magnitude of the pressure is less than or equal to a predetermined value p 2 is carried out (box 19, see also Fig. 3). If no underpressure in the tank has arisen, i.e. if the pressure p has not decreased to the limit value p 2 after the time t 0 has elapsed (in spite of the fact that the pump 10 is activated) , this is an indication of the fact that a major leakage is present in the tank 3 (box 20). As a consequence, the testing unit 1 supplies a signal to the pump 10 so as to switch off said pump.
  • an indicator 5 on the testing unit will be switched on, which indicator 5 preferably is a red light emitting diode which is lit so as to indicate "leakage” (box 21). Simultaneously, the present pressure is indicated on the display 4, after which the testing procedure is completed. Thereafter, the system adopts a "stand by" mode, and a new testing procedure can be started when the start button 9 is pressed again.
  • the result of the measurement is not shown until the measuring time t 0 has elapsed.
  • the time period t 0 can be chosen in an arbitrary manner. According to the preferred embodiment, the time period t 0 is set at 30 seconds but if more accurate measurements is required the time period t 0 can be longer, for example 30 or 60 minutes.
  • FIG. 4 shows the components which form part of and are connected to the testing unit 1.
  • a mains voltage 27 is connected to the power supply unit 8, which is in the form of a transformer, which in turn is connected to a rectifier 28.
  • the rectifier 28 supplies a rectified voltage to a voltage stabilizer, which comprises a standard component in the form of a voltage regulator 29, preferably of 12 V, and two capacitors 30 and 31, respectively.
  • the stabilized voltage is supplied to a second voltage regulator which comprises a regulator circuit 32 in the form of a standard component and a capacitor 33 which is used for filtering the voltage from the regulator circuit 32.
  • the second voltage regulator supplies a voltage of 5 V via a resistor 34 to a first connection terminal 35 for the pressure sensor 2.
  • a second connection terminal 36 and a third connection terminal 37 for the pressure sensor 2 are provided.
  • the pressure sensor 2 detects the pressure in the fuel tank 3 and supplies a measurement signal to the third connection terminal 37.
  • a connection to a light emitting diode 38 is also provided, which is connected to earth via a further resistor 39.
  • the light emitting diode 38 is normally lit, but is extinguished if any error occurs in the pressure sensor 2, for example if the connection terminals 35 and 36 are shortcircuited.
  • the light emitting diode 38 also provides an indication of whether the regulator circuit 32 is operating, since the light emitting diode 38 is extinguished if the regulator circuit 32 ceases to supply a voltage of 5 V.
  • the display 4 is connected to the third connection terminal of the pressure sensor 2, which display presents a measurement of the pressure which is registered by means of the pressure sensor 2.
  • the push button 9 is pressed.
  • the push button 9 is of the spring-back type and is used in order to close two switches 40 and 41, respectively.
  • a time measuring circuit or "timer" circuit 42 is activated.
  • the timer circuit is preferably formed by a known standard component.
  • a capacitor 43 is connected between the supply voltage and earth which functions as a protection against unintentional triggering of the timer circuit 42 due to current transients.
  • the timer circuit 42 is activated. This causes a relay 44 to be activated, which in turn causes two contacts 45 and 46, respectively, to be closed, i.e. they adopt the positions shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the relay 44 is provided with a diode 47 for protection against reverse voltages. Furthermore, the contact 45 is connected to a thyristor 48, which in turn is connected to a second relay 49.
  • the supply voltage is connected as a gate voltage to the gate terminal 50 of the thyristor.
  • a current-limiting resistor 51 is connected between the contact 41 and the gate terminal 50 of the thyristor.
  • the pump 10 is connected to the fuel tank 3 via a first hose 11 and to the surrounding air by means of a hose 12.
  • air is pumped out of the tank 3, which can be viewed on the display 4 as a lowered value of the pressure.
  • the signal from the pressure sensor 2 influences three level-detecting switching elements in the form of transistors 53, 54 and 55, respectively, each of which is provided with a current-limiting resistor 56, 57 and 58, respectively.
  • a relay 59 which is provided with a protecting diode 60 and a capacitor 61 which is used for filtering current transient, is connected to the collector of the first transistor 53.
  • a diode 62 which together with the voltage drop across the transistor 53 defines a voltage level at which the transistor 53 is conductive, is connected between the emitter of the transistor 53 and earth. This voltage level corresponds to a certain pressure level p 3 (see also Fig. 3) which constitutes a limit level for determining whether a leakage is present or not.
  • the relay 59 comprises a contact 63 which can adopt two different positions. In the respective position, one of two light emitting diodes 64 and 65, respectively, is connected into the circuit provided that the contact 46 is in its "lower" position (see Fig. 4), i.e. a position corresponding to the timer circuit being inactive.
  • the light emitting diode 64 is preferably in the form of a red light emitting diode (the purpose of which is to indicate that a leakage is present), whereas the light emitting diode 65 preferably is in the form of a green light emitting diode (the purpose of which is to indicate that no leakage is present) .
  • a further light emitting diode 66 indicates that a testing procedure is in progress. According to the embodiment, the light emitting diode 66 emits a yellow light.
  • a resistor 67 is connected between the light emitting diode 66 and earth.
  • the signal from the pressure sensor 2 also affects the transistor 54, which is connected to a further relay 68 having a protecting diode 69. Furthermore, a capacitor 70 is connected between earth and the cathode of the diode 69. The capacitor 70 constitutes a filter against current transients.
  • the relay 68 can influence a contact 71 which is connected in series with the thyristor 48.
  • the thyristor 48 If the contact 71 is open, the thyristor 48 returns to its cut off position, i.e. it does not conduct current. If subsequently the contact 71 is closed (as a result of the signal from the pressure sensor 2 again rising above its limit value) the pump 10 can however not be started again without pressing the start button 9, which once again triggers the thyristor 48 to conduct current.
  • the signal from the pressure sensor 2 also affects the transistor 55, the collector of which is connected to a relay 72 having a protecting diode 73.
  • a diode arrangement 74 comprising three diodes defines, together with the voltage across the transistor 55, a voltage level corresponding to a certain limit value p : (see also Fig. 3) of the pressure.
  • This limit value p x corresponds to the condition of an abnormally high overpressure being present in the fuel tank 3.
  • the relay 72 is connected to a light emitting diode 75, which is connected to earth via a resistor 76 and a pair of contacts 77 which cooperate with the relay 72.
  • the relay 72 will affect the pair of contacts 77 to adopt the position shown in Fig. 4. Otherwise, the pair of contacts 77 is normally in a position where the thyristor 48 is connected to earth. If the relay 72 is activated, the current through the thyristor 72 will be cut off, which in turn causes the pump 10 to be switched off. Simultaneously, the light emitting diode 75 is activated, which functions as an indicator of any overpressure in the fuel tank 3. In the case that an overpressure has been acknowledged and the pressure p in the tank 3 again decreases to a value which is below the limit value p the pump cannot be activated until the start button 9 is pressed again.
  • the device comprises two fuses 78 and 79, respectively.
  • the contact 71 is maintained in its closed condition, and the contact 77 is in a condition where the thyristor 48 is connected to earth via the relay 49.
  • the thyristor will be conductive, which causes the relay 49 to activate the pump 10. In this manner, air is pumped out of the tank 3.
  • the transistor 54 senses the signal from the pressure sensor 2. If the pressure p in the tank 3 becomes so low that it is below the limit value p 2 , the transistor 54 will cease to be conductive, which causes the relay 68 to be released and its contact 71 to be open. This causes the current through the thyristor 48 to be switched off, which in turn causes the pump 10 to be switched off. Even if the pressure again increases and exceeds the limit value p 2 , the pump 10 cannot be activated until the push button 9 is pressed again.
  • the relay 44 will re-position the contacts 45 and 46 to their open positions.
  • the contact 46 will be moved from the position shown in Fig. 4 and will instead activate any one of the light emitting diodes 64 or 65 (via the contact 63).
  • the signal from the pressure sensor 2 is higher than a certain limit value p 3 , the transistor 53 will be conductive. This causes the relay 59 to be activated in such a manner that the contact 63 adopts the position shown in Fig. 4. This causes the red light emitting diode 65 to be activated, which is an indication that a leakage is present.
  • the transistor 53 will not be conductive. This causes the relay 59 to adopt its second position in which the light emitting diode 64 is activated. Consequently, this is an indication that there is no leakage in the tank 3. Simultaneously, a value of the pressure p is shown on the display 4.
  • the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but may be varied within the scope of the appended claims.
  • the invention can be used for testing the air-tightness in other types of closed containers, for example cooling systems, braking systems or filler tubes.
  • the air-tightness of the respective components can be tested either when the component is provided as a separate article or when it is arranged as a built-in part of, for example, a motor vehicle.
  • the switching elements do not have to be transistors, but may be in the form of other level- detecting switches .
  • the pressure sensor 2 itself can be provided as a pre- mounted sensor in certain motor vehicles. In such case, a low cost testing device is provided.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
  • Measuring Fluid Pressure (AREA)

Abstract

Procédé permettant de tester l'étanchéité à l'air d'un récipient fermé (3), qui consiste à faire le vide dans ledit récipient (3), à mesurer la pression (p) à l'intérieur dudit récipient (3), à mesurer le temps et à fournir une indication dépendant des valeurs de la pression (p), le vide pouvant être fait dans ledit récipient pendant un certain laps de temps (t0) prédéterminé. Le procédé de la présente invention est caractérisé par le fait qu'il comporte un premier niveau de détection, la valeur de la pression (p) du moment étant comparée à une première valeur limite (p2), l'évacuation d'air étant arrêtée si la pression est inférieure à ladite valeur limite (p2); et un second niveau de détection une fois le laps de temps (t0) écoulé, la valeur de la pression (p) du moment étant comparée à une seconde valeur limite (p3) et le dépassement de la seconde valeur limite (p3) indiquant la présence d'une fuite. La présente invention fournit un procédé simplifié et peu onéreux, mais sûr, de test de l'étanchéité à l'air de récipients fermés, en particulier de réservoirs de carburant pour véhicules à moteur. La présente invention concerne également un dispositif destiné à être utilisé pour le test susmentionné de l'étanchéité à l'air d'un récipient.
PCT/SE1994/001104 1994-11-04 1994-11-21 Procede et dispositif permettant de tester l'etancheite d'un recipient ferme WO1996014561A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9403781A SE515496C2 (sv) 1994-11-04 1994-11-04 Förfarande och anordning för provning av tätheten hos en sluten behållare
SE9403781-9 1994-11-04

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Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996014561A1 true WO1996014561A1 (fr) 1996-05-17

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PCT/SE1994/001104 WO1996014561A1 (fr) 1994-11-04 1994-11-21 Procede et dispositif permettant de tester l'etancheite d'un recipient ferme

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WO (1) WO1996014561A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998009147A1 (fr) * 1996-08-26 1998-03-05 Getinge Skärhamn AB Procede d'essai de l'etancheite a l'air d'un contenant
FR2846092A1 (fr) * 2002-10-18 2004-04-23 Renault Sa Procede et dispositif de controle de l'etancheite d'un organe mecanique
ITMI20100305A1 (it) * 2010-02-25 2011-08-26 Egidio Noci Dispositivo e metodo di verifica del vuoto, particolarmente per prove di tenuta di componenti di macchine frigorifere e simili processate su caroselli di vuoto.
US8544315B2 (en) 2009-11-20 2013-10-01 Dana GUAZZO At rest vacuum state for vacuum decay leak testing method and system
CN107105381A (zh) * 2017-06-22 2017-08-29 深圳市山海精仪科技有限公司 一种音箱漏风检测装置及检测方法
CN111024337A (zh) * 2018-10-09 2020-04-17 郑州宇通重工有限公司 一种高压电气接线盒气密性检测装置及其检测方法
CN111795786A (zh) * 2020-06-15 2020-10-20 黄山旺荣电子有限公司 一种继电器气密性检测装置

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2154908A1 (de) * 1971-11-02 1973-05-10 Mannesmann Handel Waermedienst Vacumetrische leckanzeigevorrichtung fuer doppelwandige fluessigkeitsbehaelter, insbesondere benzintanks
US3800586A (en) * 1972-04-24 1974-04-02 Uson Corp Leak testing apparatus
US4078421A (en) * 1975-10-07 1978-03-14 Remo Gastaldo Method and automatic device for the testing of tight cavities
US5261379A (en) * 1991-10-07 1993-11-16 Ford Motor Company Evaporative purge monitoring strategy and system
GB2269903A (en) * 1992-08-21 1994-02-23 Daimler Benz Ag Method for detecting leaks in a motor vehicle tank ventilation system.
EP0589176A2 (fr) * 1992-09-25 1994-03-30 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Méthode pour tester l'étanchéité d'une installation de réservoir pour véhicule
US5369984A (en) * 1993-08-31 1994-12-06 Environmental Systems Products, Inc. Method and apparatus for testing of tank integrity of vehicle fuel systems

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2154908A1 (de) * 1971-11-02 1973-05-10 Mannesmann Handel Waermedienst Vacumetrische leckanzeigevorrichtung fuer doppelwandige fluessigkeitsbehaelter, insbesondere benzintanks
US3800586A (en) * 1972-04-24 1974-04-02 Uson Corp Leak testing apparatus
US4078421A (en) * 1975-10-07 1978-03-14 Remo Gastaldo Method and automatic device for the testing of tight cavities
US5261379A (en) * 1991-10-07 1993-11-16 Ford Motor Company Evaporative purge monitoring strategy and system
GB2269903A (en) * 1992-08-21 1994-02-23 Daimler Benz Ag Method for detecting leaks in a motor vehicle tank ventilation system.
EP0589176A2 (fr) * 1992-09-25 1994-03-30 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Méthode pour tester l'étanchéité d'une installation de réservoir pour véhicule
US5369984A (en) * 1993-08-31 1994-12-06 Environmental Systems Products, Inc. Method and apparatus for testing of tank integrity of vehicle fuel systems

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998009147A1 (fr) * 1996-08-26 1998-03-05 Getinge Skärhamn AB Procede d'essai de l'etancheite a l'air d'un contenant
FR2846092A1 (fr) * 2002-10-18 2004-04-23 Renault Sa Procede et dispositif de controle de l'etancheite d'un organe mecanique
EP1441210A1 (fr) 2002-10-18 2004-07-28 Renault s.a.s. Procédé et dispositif de contrôle de l'étanchéité d'un organe mécanique
US8544315B2 (en) 2009-11-20 2013-10-01 Dana GUAZZO At rest vacuum state for vacuum decay leak testing method and system
ITMI20100305A1 (it) * 2010-02-25 2011-08-26 Egidio Noci Dispositivo e metodo di verifica del vuoto, particolarmente per prove di tenuta di componenti di macchine frigorifere e simili processate su caroselli di vuoto.
CN107105381A (zh) * 2017-06-22 2017-08-29 深圳市山海精仪科技有限公司 一种音箱漏风检测装置及检测方法
CN111024337A (zh) * 2018-10-09 2020-04-17 郑州宇通重工有限公司 一种高压电气接线盒气密性检测装置及其检测方法
CN111795786A (zh) * 2020-06-15 2020-10-20 黄山旺荣电子有限公司 一种继电器气密性检测装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE515496C2 (sv) 2001-08-13
SE9403781L (sv) 1996-05-05
SE9403781D0 (sv) 1994-11-04

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