Filing Information

Inventor(s)	Hamid R. Borzabadi · Dennis M. Koglin ·
Assignee(s)	Delphi Technologies, Inc. ·  View assignee updates
Attorney/Agent(s)	Jimmy L. Funke ·
Primary Examiner	Hezron Williams ·
Assistant Examiner	David A. Rogers ·
Application Number	US11109315
Filing date	04/19/2005
Issue date	02/13/2007
Prior Publication Data	US20060230815 - 10/19/2006
Predicted expiration date	08/02/2025
Patent term adjustment	105
U.S. Classifications	73/493  · 73/492  · 73/46  · 73/171  · 73/497  · 73/52  · 73/157  ·
International Classifications	G01L1914  · G01M326  ·
Kind Code	B2

Patent Family

Abstract

A leak-testing technique and apparatus for differential pressure sensor arrays is provided. A reference pressure sensor array is provided, wherein a seal is disposed between the reference pressure sensor array and a target differential pressure sensor array. A probe socket is utilized to communicate with each individual sensor in the reference pressure sensor array. The target pressure sensor array and the reference pressure sensor array are sealed via a pressure plate and plunger assembly. The target pressure sensor array, seal, and reference pressure sensor array are exposed to a first pressure. The target differential pressure sensor array, seal, and reference pressure sensor array are then exposed to a second pressure. The probe socket verifies that all reference pressure sensors continue to output the first pressure. If the probe socket identifies a reference pressure sensor that reads the second pressure, then the corresponding target pressure sensor is identified as being defective because of leakage.

Independent Claims | See all claims (17)

1. 1. A method for leak testing a target differential pressure sensor array comprising a plurality of target differential pressure sensors, the method comprising: (a) providing a reference pressure sensor array having a plurality of reference pressure sensors; (b) arranging said reference pressure sensor array and the target differential pressure sensor array such that each target differential pressure sensor is sealingly coupled to a reference pressure sensor; (c) after step (b) subjecting said reference pressure sensor array and the target differential pressure sensor array to a first pressure and measuring a first output from each of said reference pressure sensors; (d) after step (c) subjecting said reference pressure sensor array and the target differential pressure sensor array to a second pressure and measuring a second output from each of said reference pressure sensors; and (e) determining whether or not any of said target differential pressure sensors are leaky based on the measurements from steps (c) and (d).
2. 7. A leak-testing apparatus for testing a target differential pressure array having a plurality of target differential pressure sensors, comprising: a reference pressure sensor array having a plurality of reference pressure sensors; a seal adapted to allow said reference pressure sensor array to be sealingly disposed with the target differential pressure sensor array; an interface circuit board; a probe socket adapted to allow selective, electrical communication between each of said reference pressure sensors and said interface circuit board; and means for determining if any of said differential pressure sensors are leaky based on signal outputs from said interface circuit board.
3. 12. A method for leak-testing a plurality of target differential pressure sensor arrays, each having a plurality of target differential pressure sensors, comprising: (a) providing a plurality of reference pressure sensor arrays each having a plurality of reference pressure sensors; (b) sealingly coupling each target differential pressure sensor to a reference pressure sensor; (c) after step (b) subjecting said plurality of reference pressure sensor arrays and the plurality of target differential pressure sensor arrays to a first pressure and measuring a first output from each of said reference pressure sensors; (d) after step (c) subjecting said plurality of reference pressure sensor arrays and the plurality of target differential pressure sensor arrays to a second pressure and measuring an output from each of said reference pressure sensors; and (e) determining whether or not any of said target differential pressure sensors are leaky based on the measurements from steps (c) and (d).