Patent ID: 8281644

Claim:
A hydrostatic tester for a test item, comprising: a) a reservoir for a test liquid; b) a test area on a lower half of a sandwich seal, wherein the test liquid can pass from the reservoir to the test area; c) a straight line toggle clamp attached to an upper half of the sandwich seal, including a low profile seal ring with a rounded face that contacts the test item, which clamp lowers and raises the upper half of the sandwich seal, positions the upper half of the sandwich seal on the test item, and applies the downward force for the sandwich seal on the test item; d) a constant force spring with a disbursement washer positioned between the straight line toggle clamp and upper half of the sandwich seal that maintains a consistent force on the sandwich seal when the clamp is lowered and engaged and compensates for thickness and texture of the test item; e) a saddle attached to the upper half of the sandwich seal positioned between the constant force spring and the low profile seal ring that provides a clear view of a test item during a test, wherein a bolt connecting the saddle, constant force spring and disbursement washer to the clamp shaft moves freely when the clamp is engaged; f) a frame; g) a clamp arm that connects the straight line toggle clamp and upper half of the sandwich seal system to the frame with a pin and bearings so that the straight line toggle clamp and upper half of the sandwich seal can be moved to the side away from the test area when the clamp is disengaged providing unobstructed access to the test area for placement of the test item, and can be moved back and repositioned over the test area for a test; h) an adjustable air pressure source for exerting pressure to force the test liquid in the reservoir upward to the test area against the test item clamped and sealed in the test area, wherein if the test item has a leakage area within the seal ring, the test liquid is forced upward through the leakage area by the air pressure exerted on the test liquid in the reservoir; i) a pressure regulating system to control the air pressure during the test, and a valve for releasing pressure after test completion; and j) a visual pressure gauge positioned for easy viewing by an operator.