Patent US2357458A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0272842A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4612797A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4612797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak locating and mapping system and method
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
•
Filing: 1984-06-27
•
Granted: 1986-09-23
•
Expires: 2004-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A leak locating, mapping and measuring system (10) comprising an image recording medium (32), a laser (18), optical components (22) which cooperate with the laser to produce and superimpose successive holographic images of the test subject (12) upon the recording medium, a video camera (34) trained upon the medium and a real-time monitor (35) and recorder (36) for processing the output of the camera to assist analysis. The device is operated to create a first, reference hologram of the test subject while it is in an unpressurized state. A second holographic image is then taken while the test subject is pressurized with fluid from tank (38), which image is superimposed over the reference image. The resultant lines of interference between the superimposed images are then analyzed for distortions (66), which distortions indicate the location and magnitude of leakage flows at or about the test subject. Each holographic image may be created with laser beams of a selected duration which diminishes the effects of vibration in the test subject.
Inventors
- 👤 Sarkis Barkhoudarian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/021; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of locating and measuring leaks from a test subject, said method comprising the steps of: producing a reference holographic image of said test subject and any fluid surrounding the test subject, said holographic image being produced upon an image recording medium; pressurizing said test subject; producing a second holographic image of said test subject and any fluid surrounding said test subject, said second holographic image being produced during said pressurizing step upon said image recording screen, said second holographic image being superimposed over said reference holographic image to produce a hologram with an interference pattern; and analyzing distortions in said interference pattern for purposes of locating and measuring leaks.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of locating and measuring leaks from a test subject, said method comprising the steps of: producing a reference holographic image of said test subject and any fluid surrounding the test subject, said holographic image being produced upon an image recording medium; pressurizing said test subject; producing a second holographic image of said test subject and any fluid surrounding said test subject, said second holographic image being produced during said pressurizing step upon said image recording screen, said second holographic image being superimposed over said reference holographic image to produce a hologram with an interference pattern; and analyzing distortions in said interference pattern for purposes of locating and measuring leaks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reference and second holographic images are generated with laser beams having a duration which diminishes the effects of vibration in said test subject.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises the step of calibrating said image recording medium prior to producing any holographic images of the test subject or of and fluid surrounding the test subject by displacing said image recording medium such that said interference pattern exhibits a desired, scaled fringe spacing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said distortions are analyzed by means of a video camera trained upon a photo-electric image recording plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the step of displacing said photo-electric image recording plate an amount such that said intereference pattern exhibits a desired, scaled fringe spacing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said distortions are analyzed by means of a real-time monitor trained upon a photo-electric image recording plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said holographic images are produced by a pulsed laser, said pulsed laser providing a beam whose duration diminishes the effects of vibration in said test subject upon said second holographic image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said holographic images are produced by a continuous beam laser, a triggering means controlling the duration of said continous beam laser such that the effects of vibration in said test subject upon said second holographic image is diminished.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3802758A
Cited
US4492468A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-22 | 1990-03-24 | 1990-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-22 | 1994-03-24 | 1994-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-22 | 1998-03-24 | 1998-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |