US 12,480,832 B2
Vacuum-based leak detection
William Brown, Owatonna, MN (US); and Chad Samp, Albert Lea, MN (US)
Assigned to Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed by Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed on Oct. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/964,232.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/273,420, filed on Oct. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0139875 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. G01M 3/26 (2006.01); G01M 3/32 (2006.01); G01M 3/36 (2006.01)
CPC G01M 3/26 (2013.01) [G01M 3/32 (2013.01); G01M 3/36 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
8. A method of leak detection for an automotive battery enclosure having a seal, an internal chamber, and a plurality of ports including a first port with a valve, the first port being in fluid communication with the internal chamber, wherein the method comprises:
applying a vacuum pump having a mass airflow sensor to the first port;
sealing the other ports of the plurality of ports;
activating the vacuum pump to apply a predetermined fixed vacuum pressure to the internal chamber;
generating, with the mass airflow sensor while the vacuum pump is activated, pressure data indicating a pressure within the internal chamber;
measuring the displacement of the valve while the vacuum pump is activated;
outputting a leak indication signal indicating that at least one leak in the seal is present when the measured displacement of the valve deviates from an expected displacement value by an amount greater than an expected threshold displacement value,
wherein
the seal of the enclosure is suitable to prevent an exchange of liquid material and permit an exchange of gaseous material.