Patent ID: 6314796
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: G01M,G01N

Abstract:
A process for non-destructively testing a fluid-filled container for leaktightness, the process comprising:(a) subjecting the fluid-filled container to a vacuum or near vacuum environment;(b) utilizing electrical equipment to form an electrical discharge in the vacuum or near vacuum environment sufficient to stimulate spectral light emissions from volatile fluid-filled container contents present in the vacuum or near vacuum environment;(c) detecting the spectral light emissions from the volatile fluid-filled container contents produced in step (b); and(d) evaluating the spectral light emissions detected in step (c) to determine the amount of volatile fluid-filled container contents present in the vacuum or near vacuum environment by comparing: (i) the measured brightness level of the spectral light emissions obtained from step (c), to (ii) a base brightness level obtained by measuring the brightness level of the spectral emissions due to the presence of residual gas or air molecules in the vacuum or near vacuum environment, and analyzing the difference between the measured brightness level and the base brightness level using a corresponding empirically-determined calibration curve of brightness level to concentration of volatile container contents.