Patent ID: 7281409

Claim:
A method for carrying out integrity tests on filter elements by means of test gases, an electronic control unit, and a pneumatic unit, comprising the following steps: a) identification data and/or limiting data and/or limit values for test data are/is read from electronic memory elements which are arranged on the respective filter element; said identification data comprises: (i) filter element number; (ii) filter element type; (iii) maximum diffusion; (iv) test pressure diffusion; (v) bubble point limit value; and (vi) stabilization time; b) the data from step a) is stored in a test apparatus; c) the integrity tests provided on the basis of the data are carried out, said integrity tests comprise; (i) test assessment (positive/negative); (ii) measured diffusion; (iii) test pressure setting; and (iv) measured bubble point value; d) a subsequent test is carried out to determine whether said limit values and/or said limiting data has been reached or exceeded by at least one of said measured test data items from a) and; e) the control unit electronically inhibits the filter elements from further use if said limit values and/or said limiting data has been reached or exceeded.