METHOD FOR CHECKING WATER SEALING OF INSTRUMENTATION FOR UNDERWATER USE

Abstract

The present invention relates to instrumentation for underwater use powered by means of a battery and provided with a pressure sensor capable of periodically detecting pressure values inside the main body of the instrumentation.

The present invention also relates to a method for detecting possible pressure drops inside the main body of the instrumentation over time.

The instrumentation of the present invention enables carrying out efficient and inexpensive self-diagnosis of the pressure inside the body of the device, every time the battery is changed or also during manufacture of the instrument.

Claims

1. A method for checking possible air leaks inside instrumentation for underwater use, comprising the following steps: a) detecting, by means of a pressure sensor, the initial reference pressure P1 inside the main body of said instrumentation for underwater use in said first condition, in which the housing for the battery is open; b) setting said second condition, in which the housing for the battery is closed; c) detecting, by means of said pressure sensor, the pressure P2 of the air inside said main body of the instrumentation for underwater use after having set said second closed condition of the housing for the battery; d) periodically detecting, at time t.sub.n, the value P.sub.n of the pressure inside said main body of the instrumentation for underwater use in said closed condition of the housing for the battery; e) transmitting said values P1, P2, P.sub.n to a central unit capable of storing said values and comparing them with one another; f) activating a communication device capable of emitting a signal perceptible by the user when the drop in the value of pressure P.sub.n measured at time t.sub.n with respect to values P1 and P2 is greater than a predetermined threshold value P3.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said communication device is capable of emitting a luminous, audible and/or graphical signal.

3. The method according to claim 1, which also comprises, after step d), a further step d′) wherein said instrumentation for underwater use is inserted in a hermetically sealed container, such as an autoclave, and subjected to an external pressure P4 greater than P2.

4. The method according to claim 3 which also comprises the step e′), following step d′), wherein said communication device capable of emitting a signal perceptible by a user is activated in the case where the internal pressure P.sub.n detected at time t.sub.n exceeds the tolerance values with respect to P2 due to deformation of the main body of the instrumentation for underwater use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0064] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention shall become clearer from examination of the following detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, shown by way of non-limitative example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0065] FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the instrumentation used in the present invention;

[0066] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the instrumentation of FIG. 1;

[0067] FIG. 3 is a side view of the instrumentation of FIG. 1;

[0068] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the instrumentation of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The following detailed description refers to a particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4.

[0070] In particular, with reference to FIGS. 1-4, instrumentation 1 for underwater use is described, such as, for example, a manometer for underwater use, having a watertight main body 3 that internally comprises electronic devices, the functionality of which must be protected from possible water/air infiltrations inside the main body 3.

[0071] The instrumentation 1 is powered in a stable manner by a battery 2, housed in a specially provided battery housing inside the main body 3. The battery 2 is capable of powering the instrumentation 1 also when the housing for the battery 2 is open. The battery housing is provided with a cover 4 capable of achieving a first open condition for the battery housing when the cover 4 is removed or not inserted, or a second, closed condition, when the cover 4 is instead applied to the battery housing. The cover 4 is applied, for example, by means of a bayonet coupling system, and is provided with a notch 7 on its upper side to facilitate rotation of the cover 4 for closing/opening operations.

[0072] A pressure sensor 5 is arranged inside the main body 3 that is capable of periodically detecting the pressure inside the main body 3 of the instrumentation 1. The pressure sensor 5 is able to transmit the measured values of this pressure to a central unit capable of storing these values and comparing them with each other and with predetermined values.

[0073] The instrumentation 1 is also provided with a display 6 positioned on the outside of the main body 3; the display 6 is activated by the central unit to transmit information to the user concerning the test to which the instrumentation 1 is subjected.

[0074] The instrumentation 1 is also provided with a hose 8 for connecting air cylinders located externally to the instrumentation 1.

[0075] Operatively, the test to check whether or not there has been a pressure drop inside the main body 3 in the instrumentation 1 takes place in the following manner.

[0076] Initially, the first open condition of the housing for the battery 2 is created, by removing the cover 4 if applied; the pressure sensor 5 is then able to measure the initial reference pressure P1 inside the main body 3 in this open condition and to transmit the value P1 to the central unit, which stores the value P1. Then, the second closed condition of the battery housing is created, by applying the cover 4 thereto, so as to seal the battery housing. In the same way as before, the pressure sensor 5 is also able to detect the pressure P2 inside the main body 3 in this closed condition and transmit the value P2 to the central unit for storage.

[0077] Periodically, for example every n seconds, the pressure sensor 5 detects the pressure P.sub.n at time t.sub.n inside said main body 3 and transmits the value P.sub.n to the central unit, which compares each value P.sub.n with the values P1 and P2 and with a predetermined threshold value P3, equal, for example, to X3.

[0078] In the case where the value Pn detected at time t.sub.n is less than the predetermined threshold value, i.e. in the case where it is established that there has been a pressure drop inside the main body 3 of the instrumentation 1 exceeding the permitted limit, the display 6, capable of transmitting information to the user related to the fact that such a pressure drop has occurred, is activated.

[0079] As an alternative to the display, this pressure drop could also be communicated to the user through other communication means, such as, for example, a warning light that lights up, or an audible device, like a buzzer or bell, which emits an audible alarm signal.

[0080] In this way, the instrumentation of the present invention enables carrying out self-diagnosis, in an extremely precise and immediate manner, of a possible pressure drop inside the body of the device, implemented through the real-time measurement performed by a sensor placed directly inside the instrument to be tested, and subsequent interpretation of the values according to a predetermined logic.

[0081] The check related to a pressure drop can be carried out automatically every time the battery is replaced, or also during manufacture of the instrument.

[0082] The above-described test for checking whether or not there has been a pressure drop inside the main body 3 of the instrumentation 1 may also include the further step wherein the instrumentation 1 for underwater use is inserted in a hermetically sealed container, such as an autoclave, and subjected to an external pressure P4, equal, for example, to X4, and therefore greater than pressure P2.

[0083] This further step enables checking whether or not this particularly high external pressure P4 (greater than atmospheric pressure) causes any deformation of the main body 3 of the instrumentation 1 for underwater use. In the affirmative case, the display 6 (or other visual or audible alarm) is activated to inform the user.

[0084] Through this further test step, further guarantees are obtained regarding the sealing of the instrumentation for underwater use.

[0085] Naturally, many modifications and variants regarding the described preferred embodiments will be evident to experts in the field, yet still remain within the scope of the invention.

[0086] Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein by way of non-limitative example, but is defined by the following claims.