Accession Number:

AD0670886

Title:

LEAK DETECTION OF LARGE PRESSURIZED SPHERICAL BALLOONS.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 Jul 67-30 Apr 68,

Corporate Author:

VITRO LABS SILVER SPRING MD

Personal Author(s):

• Davidson,Allen R. , Jr

Report Date:

1968-04-30

Pagination or Media Count:

42.0

Abstract:

The report summarizes an effort to locate and develop a leak detection system suitable for use on large pressurized balloons for the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories. A survey of various types of leak detectors and detection techniques was conducted to determine the most suitable method for detecting and locating leaks on pressurized spherical balloons 46 feet or more in diameter. As a result of the survey and appraisal testing, it was concluded that a thermal conductivity detector with a wide sweep wand could most readily detect and locate holes as small as 116 inch on large balloons filled with helium under an internal pressure of 1.5 inches of water. A leak detection system was designed and built, utilizing a modified commercially available thermal conductivity leak detector. Author

Descriptors:

• *BALLOONS
• *LEAK DETECTORS
• PRESSURIZATION
• HELIUM
• DETECTION
• THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
• GLASS TEXTILES
• WEIGHT
• SPHERES
• EFFICIENCY
• RESPONSE
• MASS SPECTROSCOPY
• INFRARED DETECTORS
• HALOGENS

Subject Categories:

• Lighter-than-air Aircraft
• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE