Patent ID: 6460405
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A non-destructive method for testing for leakage in a sealed package having an interior chamber formed of a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion, comprising the steps of:a) forming a temporary barrier having a first and second aperture to the gas-permeable portion to temporarily seal the gas-permeable portion except at said first and second apertures; b) enclosing said sealed package in a testing chamber with said first and second apertures exposed to the exterior of said testing chamber, said testing chamber further having third and fourth apertures respectively connectable to a source of carrier gas and a tracer gas detector; c) applying a tracer gas through said first aperture at said gas-permeable portion and exhausting said tracer gas through said second aperture at said gas-permeable portion, whereby a flow of said tracer gas passes through said interior chamber; and d) applying a flow of carrier gas through said testing chamber third and fourth apertures to said tracer gas detector, whereby said detector measures the amount of tracer gas removed from said testing chamber.