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Class 374/4 - LEAK OR FLAW DETECTION


Subclass of Class 374 - Thermal measuring and testing
Definition: Subject matter for testing a solid material for a defect
No. of patents: 142
Last issue date: 05/01/2012


1        
NumberTitleIssue Date
8167482Thermography inspection of surface discontinuities
A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a test specimen. The method includes applying a one or more substances including a detection medium to the test specimen wherein the detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen. Th...
05/01/2012
8070355Method of detecting leaks of fluoroolefin compositions and sensors used therefor
Disclosed are a method of detecting a leak of fluoroolefin compositions and sensors used therefor. In particular, the method is particularly useful for detecting a leak of a fluoroolefin refrigerant composition from a cooling system of an automotive vehicle. Such fl...
12/06/2011
8047707Passive thermal image glass breakage detector
A system and method for detecting glass breakage using thermal imaging is provided. The system includes an infrared image detector for acquiring an infrared image of a monitored area, and a signal processor for processing the acquired images to determine removal of ...
11/01/2011
7959353Infra-red thermal imaging of laser welded battery module enclosure components
A thermal imaging system for a battery module enclosure that includes first and second battery module enclosure components between which a weld is formed includes a thermal imaging camera that focuses on the first and second battery module enclosure components withi...
06/14/2011
7901131Apparatus state determination method and system
In a method for determining a state of an apparatus, detected temperatures are received from a plurality of sensors and are compared to at least one preset condition. The state of the apparatus is determined based upon the comparison. ...
03/08/2011
7641382Leak judgment method, and computer-readable recording medium with recorded leak-judgment-executable program
In a deposited-film formation apparatus or process having the means or steps of evacuating the inside of an inside-evacuatable chamber through an evacuation piping by an evacuation means, feeding a material gas into the chamber while evacuating the inside of the cha...
01/05/2010
7637652Passive thermal image glass breakage detector
A system and method for detecting glass breakage using thermal imaging is provided. The system includes an infrared image detector for acquiring an infrared image of a monitored area, and a signal processor for processing the acquired images to determine removal of ...
12/29/2009
7628532Apparatus and method incorporating an indicator chamber for elevated temperature pressure vessel or weld testing
In a method and system for testing the integrity of pressure vessels, or welds on flanges or the like, at elevated temperatures, a pressurized mixture of a gaseous environmentally safe composition is formed within an indicator chamber in a housing receiving a pressu...
12/08/2009
7607823Leak detector comprising a self-heated thermistor control circuit
A system and method for detecting leaks includes a sensing circuit including a first thermistor device adapted to detected a leak upon contact with a liquid, and, a second thermistor device functioning as a reference device. The first and second thermistor devices a...
10/27/2009
7434987Method to detect helium leakage from a disk drive
A method to detect helium leakage from a disk drive enclosure is disclosed and claimed. A measurement electrical current is passed through a temperature sensor disposed within the disk drive enclosure. A reference electrical resistance corresponds to a reference tem...
10/14/2008
7434990Method to detect termite infestation in a structure
A method for confirming the presence of termites in a structure, involving a preliminary infrared scan of a structure and confirmation of termite infestation with at least one detector in order to quickly locate potential areas of termite infestation. ...
10/14/2008
7434986Method and apparatus for monitoring and detecting defects in plastic package sealing
An apparatus for monitoring and detecting thermal sealing defects includes a thermal imager, a controller, and an output device. The thermal imager is mounted along a process line that transports an object having at least one recently created thermal-seal. The contr...
10/14/2008
7416330Method and apparatus for measuring temperature of substrate
The temperature of the surface and/or inside of a substrate is measured by irradiating the front surface or rear surface of the substrate, whose temperature is to be measured, with light and measuring the interference of a reflected light from the substrate and a re...
08/26/2008
7404671Dynamic acoustic thermometer
Acoustic temperature measurement at a remote location is provided. An acoustic source transmits acoustic radiation to an acoustic receiver along an acoustic path. The path passes through or near the remote location. The temperature is non-uniform along the path. A c...
07/29/2008
7402808Radiation imaging system and method
An imaging system for generating an image of an object is provided. The imaging system comprises an X-ray source disposed in a spatial relationship to the object configured to transmit X-ray radiation through the object. The system further comprises at least one X-r...
07/22/2008
7384192Method for measuring cooling/heating curves of molten masses
A method is provided for measuring the cooling curve of melts and/or the heating curve of melt samples with an optical fiber, wherein an immersion end of the optical fiber having an at least partially free surface is surrounded with a spacing by a temperature-resist...
06/10/2008
7374334Performance testing apparatus for heat pipes
A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a cooling structure defined therein for cooling a heat pipe needing to be tested. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion. A receiving structure is ...
05/20/2008
7357571Infrared inspection and reporting process
An infrared inspection and reporting process and system obtains inspection data on site via a portable computer. An actual temperature of a component derived from an infrared image and a temperature delta between the temperature of the component and the maximum temp...
04/15/2008
7332718Method for finding disconnection of conductive wires formed on plate glass and apparatus therefor
The invention relates to a method for finding disconnection of a conductive wire formed on a plate glass. This method includes the steps of (a) applying a voltage to the conductive wire; and (b) imaging thermal radiation from a surface of the conductive wire by an i...
02/19/2008
7324681Apparatus and method for detecting surface defects on a workpiece such as a rolled/drawn metal bar
The present invention is directed to solving the problems associated with the detection of surface defects on metal bars as well as the problems associated with applying metal flat inspection systems to metal bars for non-destructive surface defects detection. A spe...
01/29/2008
7282281Method for recognition of a leak in a fuel cell
A leak in the membrane of a fuel cell leads to an uncontrolled and heat-generating reaction which can destroy the fuel cell. A method for recognition of a leak in a fuel cell is disclosed which leads to an automatic closing down of the fuel cell without a safety dev...
10/16/2007
7258483Device for measuring the level and/or the temperature in a container
A device for measuring at least one of a level and a temperature of a liquid in a container includes a resistor arrangement adapted to be immersed in the liquid. An immersed length of the resistor arrangement in the liquid corresponds to the level of the liquid in t...
08/21/2007
7249885Heat flux measuring device for pressure pipes, method for producing a measuring device, method for monitoring an operating state of a heat exchanger, heat exchanger and method for measuring a heat flux
A measuring device for a heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger pressure pipe having a pipe wall with a circumference, and an indentation extending over and deforming a portion of the circumference. At least one thermocouple is disposed eccentrically in the portio...
07/31/2007
7238382Method and system for characterizing porous materials
A method and system for diagnosing the effectiveness of a treatment on a porous material. For example, the porous material can include a porous low dielectric constant material. In particular, the method can utilize FTIR spectroscopy to characterize the porosity of ...
07/03/2007
7212283Imaging sensor optical system
The present invention relates to an in-vessel or down-hole optical imaging sensor or system for operating in structures which may contain media with different spectral transmission characteristics. The imaging sensor of the present invention selectively emits and/or...
05/01/2007
7163335Oilfield thread makeup and breakout verification system and method
The thread engagement verifier system provides for verifying the quality of a threaded connection 12 between upper and lower for tubular member 16, 18. One or more thermal radiation sensors 14 are used in combination with a data acquisition and ...
01/16/2007
7155961Bleed leak detection system
A leak detector for an insulated duct carrying pressurized hot air comprises a cuff secured over a circumferential cut in the insulation of the duct, thereby creating a reservoir of hot air which has leaked from the duct, a manifold defining a conduit therein in com...
01/02/2007
7149343Methods for analyzing defect artifacts to precisely locate corresponding defects
Described are methods and systems for providing improved defect detection and analysis using infrared thermography. Test vectors heat features of a device under test to produce thermal characteristics useful in identifying defects. The test vectors are timed to enha...
12/12/2006
7147037Leak detector for mixed heat exchangers
A leak detector for mixed heat exchangers. In mixed heat exchangers it is important to monitor leaks from the liquid flows to the gas flows since liquid can damage delicate machinery. A barrier is mounted on the gas side of the heat exchanger. The barrier contains a...
12/12/2006
7124625Glide-height disk-tester and method of operation
A glide-height disk-tester operates with the test disk rotating at a predetermined constant rotational speed and uses a glide head with an electrically-resistive heater and a thermally-responsive protrusion pad located on its trailing end. The linear velocity of the...
10/24/2006
7106066Micro-electromechanical switch performance enhancement
In methods and circuits for using associated circuitry to enhance performance of a micro-electromechanical switch, one of the method embodiments is a contact conditioning process including applying a time-varying voltage to the control element of a closed switch. In...
09/12/2006
7097351System of monitoring operating conditions of rotating equipment
A monitoring system for rotating equipment includes detection of temperature conditions in various areas of the system including motor and pump bearings, mechanical seal environment including seal flush, seal cooler and seal reservoir and process fluid temperature. ...
08/29/2006
7093480Method and apparatus to stress test medicament inhalation aerosol device by inductive heating
A method and apparatus for heat stress testing medicament aerosol inhalation devices, such as a metered dose inhaler, is described. An electrical induction work coil is used to heat the inhalers to 55° C.±5° C. Heated inhalers are subsequently weighed to detect a...
08/22/2006
7090393Using thermal imaging to prevent loss of steam turbine efficiency by detecting and correcting inadequate insulation at turbine startup
The invention involves the use of thermal imaging equipment to take infrared images of a steam turbine during start-up. The exterior temperatures developed from the infrared images are correlated with turbine vibration data to determine which insulation temperature ...
08/15/2006
7088442Device and method for a quality test of a body
A device for quality testing of a body comprising a surface comprising a structuring bounded by edges and a substantially edge-free unevenness, wherein the structuring illustrates a quality impairment and wherein the unevenness illustrates a potential quality impair...
08/08/2006
7083327Method and apparatus for detecting kissing unbond defects
A active thermographic method for detecting subsurface defects in a specimen, particularly kissing unbond defects, includes heating a specimen, applying a force to the surface of the specimen to shift and separate the walls of the defect, and obtaining thermographic...
08/01/2006
7073979Method and apparatus for performing sewer maintenance with a thermal sensor
A method and apparatus for performing maintenance on sewer pipes using a thermal sensor. The method and apparatus may be applied to the reinstatement of lateral openings after a liner has been installed in a main pipe. The thermal sensor detects the location of the ...
07/11/2006
7068449Slider fly control
A disc drive data storage system is disclosed that includes a disc storage medium having a disc surface. The system also includes an armature and a slider coupled to the armature. The slider supports a transducer head that communicates with the disc storage medium. ...
06/27/2006
7062387Method and apparatus for leak detection in low density gas-filled disk drives
The present invention is directed to the detection of gas leaks from a gas-filled disk drive. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, gas leaks from a disk drive can be detected by monitoring certain disk drive parameters. Furthermore, different typ...
06/13/2006
7043964Method and system for detecting leaks in a plugged honeycomb structure
A method for detecting leaks in a plugged honeycomb structure includes directing a gas at a first end face of the honeycomb structure at a temperature that is different from a temperature of the honeycomb structure and observing a temperature distribution at a secon...
05/16/2006
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