METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF LEAKS IN HERMETIC PACKAGES

摘要

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed impermeable package containing gas and/or volatile liquid, which acts as an indicator gas. The method includes placing the hermetically sealed package containing an indicator gas in a test chamber. The atmosphere in the test chamber is evacuated. The pressure in the test chamber is measured at a predetermined interval to determine whether a gross leak exists in the package. The atmosphere in the test chamber is purged. The atmosphere is evacuated to a predetermined pressure. The calibration gas is allowed to accumulate at a predetermined rate in the chamber during an interval of time. The ratio of indicator gas to calibration gas is measured and the ratio is compared against a predetermined ratio of indicator gas to calibration gas for the interval of time to determine whether a leak exists in the hermetically sealed package.