A vacuum leak detector is provided which utilizes a search gas which has a high electron attachment cross section. Within a vacuum system, negative ions are formed from inleaking gas by providing sufficient low energy, magnetically confined electrons, and the current of such negative ions is utilized to determine the degree of inleakage of an electron attaching gas.

A detector for sensing a leaking of fluid pressures. The detector is characterized by an hermetically sealed housing confining therewithin a first or normalized pressure, a connector for coupling the housing in direct communication with a suspected leak established within a substantially sealed body, an electrical circuit having a first or normalized configuration and including a pair of circuit-completing electrical contacts and means mounting at least one contact of said pair of contacts on a ...

A method of testing the fluid tightness of a sealed joint wherein a pair of electrodes are mounted adjacent the seal and are electrically insulated from each other. An indicator is connected to the electrodes which are constructed and arranged such that leakage of electrically conductive fluid through the seal will actuate the indicator.

The leaky or non-leaky condition of a membrane-sealed container is determined by causing motion in one direction of one portion of the membrane; sensing motion in a direction opposite the first direction of another portion of the membrane; and delivering a corresponding signal indicative of the leaky or non-leaky condition.

A leak detector for monitoring, in an area being investigated, the presence of a liquid having a characteristic fluorescence spectrum. The leak detector includes a radiation source, with the radiation provided to the area being investigated. The detector also includes a collector for collecting radiation, in the fluorescence emission band of the liquid being monitored, emitted from the area being investigated. The presence of this liquid is sensed by detection of a threshold level of collected r...

A method for determining the position of a leak in a conduit or pipeline, especially one of small diameter, in which a carrier body, for example a short length of co-axial cable, carrying a short-lived radioisotope is inserted into the conduit or pipeline and is caused to move along it by pressuring up the conduit or pipeline from one or both ends thereof with fluid, for example water. The carrier body travels to the leak but no further and its location is detected from outside the conduit or pi...

The leaky or non-leaky condition of a flexible, closed container is tested by increasing the pressure within the container (by causing motion of a wall of the container), and monitoring the resulting rate of change of a predetermined parameter (wall position or force exerted by the wall); the monitored rate of change indicates the leaky or non-leaky condition. In another aspect the time-varying net force on a container is the basis for determining the leaky or non-leaky condition.

Apparatus for detecting leaks in fuel storage tanks. A float suspended in the tank liquid determines liquid levels and transmits the liquid level information via an infrared beam to a probe processor in the upper port of the tank. The probe processor stores a plurality of level indications for subsequent uploading to an external computer which analyzes the level information to generate leakage rate information.

An apparatus for leak testing a garment, such as an over-water flying suit formed of a waterproof material, comprises a closure plug (4) for closing the neck of the garment and clamps (36, 38, 40, 42) for holding it in place. Clamps (26, 28) close other openings in the garment to allow it to be inflated, usually turned inside out to simulate exposure to water immersion. A mixture of water and compressed air is sprayed into the inflated garment via nozzles (18). The inflated garment is then inspe...

An apparatus for detecting leaks in a test object having chamber walls, having a first and a second side subject to differential pressure produced by production of a partial vacuum on the first side, the detection being carried out by use of a test gas present on the second side of said chamber walls. The apparatus has a vacuum pump for providing the partial vacuum, a detector for detecting the test gas, a connecting means for connecting the apparatus to the test object, and a plurality of prima...