pennstate - pennsylvania state university
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PENNSTATE
Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering Spring 2014
PSU PennTAP Air Leak Analyzer
Overview Formulate a design and create a prototype device that can capture and quantify the amount of air that is leaking from various shapes and sizes of compressed air line leaks. The device will need to be flexible enough to fit and seal around various types of fittings, nozzles, hoses, small pipelines, etc. It will also needed to have some type of volumetric container or capacity that can quantitatively measure air volume escaping the leak.
Objectives This design project called for the production of a device that was capable of quantifying leaks that occur in air delivery systems. This highly flexible and durable design was focused on endpoint leak quantifications, creating an airtight seal on pneumatic tools, gauges etc. Approach ● The costumer needs were gathered during the first meeting with our sponsor, a document outlining
the objectives of the prototype was given to each team member. ● There are currently no patented air leak analyzers on the market, however we examined patents for
similar devices, such as leak detectors and flow meters. ● We visited the West steam plant on campus to examine air leaks in an industrial setting. ● Design concepts were generated using brainstorming techniques based on the leaks we examined
during our onsite visit. ● We created a CAD drawing for the original design concept, a Velcro prototype. ● An original prototype was produced utilizing Velcro and shower curtain liner, a second and final
prototype was created using the Baja dry bags. ● We tested the device on a simulated leaking air hose. ● We determined that our model worked best on large leaks, and that more development would be
required for a universal leak detector.
Outcomes ● Device for quantifying endpoint leaks ● Basis for further development of more versatile leak capture
device ● Potential energy and air delivery system audit for Anvil
International ● Detailed method for instantaneous measure of air leaks