| 摘要 |
A method and fixture for leak detection testing of automotive fuel tanks and the like is disclosed. Two separable members are movable together to form a housing having an internal cavity shaped to receive tanks to be tested, with a sufficient clearance space to accommodate dimensional variations in the tanks to be tested. Each housing member is generally bowl-shaped with a relatively thin-walled, semi-rigid domed central portion, which with the members brought together defines a test cavity receiving the tank proper. Each member also has a relatively rigid peripheral rim supported in a frame. During testing, a tank is positioned within the test cavity and the tank interior pressurized with a trace gas mixture. The space between the housing and the tank is thereafter evacuated, causing the ribbed interior of the less rigid central portions of the housing members to move into contact with the tank exterior, preventing the high differential pressure from overexpanding the tank to cause damage. Detection of trace gas in the clearance space is relied on to detect leaks in the tank. Openings in the tank are sealed during testing by means of movable seal plugs carried by the housing members.
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