Abstract: A flexible universal bladder tool is disclosed to be coupled between a source of “smoke” and a fluid system to be tested for leaks, such as that found in the automotive industry. The bladder tool is an inflatable bladder that surrounds a flexible smoke delivery tube which communicates with the source of smoke and a fluid duct of the system under test. By virtue of the flexible nature of the smoke delivery tube, the inflatable bladder is adapted to be bent around any of a variety of curved fluid ducts. The flexible smoke delivery tube is detachable from the tool so that the tube can be quickly replaced with a different tube having a different length. The inflatable bladder is filled with fluid (e.g., air) to expand into sealing engagement with the fluid duet, and the system under test is pressurized with smoke supplied thereto by way of the flexible smoke deliver tube.

Abstract: A flexible universal bladder tool is disclosed to be coupled between a source of “smoke” and a fluid system to be tested for leaks, such as that found in the automotive industry. The bladder tool is an inflatable bladder that surrounds a flexible smoke delivery tube which communicates with the source of smoke and a fluid duct of the system under test. By virtue of the flexible nature of the smoke delivery tube, the inflatable bladder is adapted to be bent around any of a variety of curved fluid ducts. The flexible smoke delivery tube is detachable from the tool so that the tube can be quickly replaced with a different tube having a different length. The inflatable bladder is filled with fluid (e.g., air) to expand into sealing engagement with the fluid duet, and the system under test is pressurized with smoke supplied thereto by way of the flexible smoke deliver tube.

Abstract: A leak detecting apparatus and method by which a regulated supply of gas is delivered from an adjustable pressure regulator to a smoke generator so that smoke generated within the smoke generator and carried to a fluid system being tested for leaks is at optimal density throughout the pressure range. The leak detecting apparatus and method have particular application for testing high pressure operating systems (e.g., the engine of a turbo-charged motor vehicle). A flow transducer measures the rate at which the regulated supply of gas flows to the smoke generator. First and second pressure transducers measure the pressure of the regulated gas and the pressure of the system being tested for leaks. The system under test is visually inspected for leaks after the pressure regulator is adjusted to a pressure to create an optimal maximum flow rate and the pressures measured by the first and second pressure transducers are equalized.

Abstract: An oil transporting vaporizer for a smoke generating apparatus to generate smoke to be supplied to a closed system to be tested for leaks. In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer includes a hollow tube that is manufactured from a high temperature, fire resistant, porous material (e.g., ceramic). The vaporizer stands in a reservoir of oil such that some of the porous tube is filled with oil from the reservoir. A heater wire surrounds the outside of the porous tube above the oil within the tube. A gas (e.g., air) is blown into the porous tube and towards the oil to cause a mixture of air and gas to move through the tube. Because of its porosity, the air/oil mixture permeates the tube in the vicinity of the heater wire so as to be vaporized into smoke when the heater wire is energized.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held combination smoke machine and nitrogen generator having particular application for supplying a mixture of smoke and inert, non-combustible nitrogen gas to a closed fluid system (e.g., the evaporative or air brake system of a motor vehicle) so that the presence and location of a leak can be detected. The nitrogen generator is preferably a compact, commercially-available nitrogen generating membrane tube that is sized to be grasped and lifted in the hand of a user. The smoke machine has a smoke generator device that is adapted to produce smoke and is coupled to the nitrogen generating membrane tube so that a supply of nitrogen gas is delivered from the tube to the smoke generator device at which to be mixed with smoke. The nitrogen gas carries the smoke outwardly from the smoke generator device of the smoke machine to the system being tested for leaks.

Abstract: A filler neck insert to be removably attached to a capless fuel tank filler neck of a motor vehicle so that a source of pressure or a source of vacuum can be coupled to the fuel tank in order to test the fuel tank for leaks. The filler neck insert includes a hollow tubular body to be received through the open fuel-mouth and suspended within the throat of the fuel tank filler neck and a base extending across the tubular body. An adapter which is connected to the filler neck insert has an outer rim mated in surrounding sealing engagement with the base of the insert and an inlet tube connected to the source of pressure or vacuum. Accordingly, a flow path is established from the pressure or vacuum source to the fuel tank by way of the adapter, the insert and the filler neck.

Abstract: A leak detecting apparatus and method by which a regulated supply of gas is delivered from an adjustable pressure regulator to a smoke generator so that smoke generated within the smoke generator and carried to a fluid system being tested for leaks is at optimal density throughout the pressure range. The leak detecting apparatus and method have particular application for testing high pressure operating systems (e.g., the engine of a turbo-charged motor vehicle). A flow transducer measures the rate at which the regulated supply of gas flows to the smoke generator. First and second pressure transducers measure the pressure of the regulated gas and the pressure of the system being tested for leaks. The system under test is visually inspected for leaks after the pressure regulator is adjusted to a pressure to create an optimal maximum flow rate and the pressures measured by the first and second pressure transducers are equalized.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held combination smoke machine and nitrogen generator having particular application for supplying a mixture of smoke and inert, non-combustible nitrogen gas to a closed fluid system (e.g., the evaporative or air brake system of a motor vehicle) so that the presence and location of a leak can be detected. The nitrogen generator is preferably a compact, commercially-available nitrogen generating membrane tube that is sized to be grasped and lifted in the hand of a user. The smoke machine has a smoke generator device that is adapted to produce smoke and is coupled to the nitrogen generating membrane tube so that a supply of nitrogen gas is delivered from the tube to the smoke generator device at which to be mixed with smoke. The nitrogen gas carries the smoke outwardly from the smoke generator device of the smoke machine to the system being tested for leaks.

Abstract: An oil transporting vaporizer for a smoke generating apparatus to generate smoke to be supplied to a closed system to be tested for leaks. In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer includes a hollow tube that is manufactured from a high temperature, fire resistant, porous material (e.g., ceramic). The vaporizer stands in a reservoir of oil such that some of the porous tube is filled with oil from the reservoir. A heater wire surrounds the outside of the porous tube above the oil within the tube. A gas (e.g., air) is blown into the porous tube and towards the oil to cause a mixture of air and gas to move through the tube. Because of its porosity, the air/oil mixture permeates the tube in the vicinity of the heater wire so as to be vaporized into smoke when the heater wire is energized.

Abstract: A filler neck insert to be removably attached to a capless fuel tank filler neck of a motor vehicle so that a source of pressure or a source of vacuum can be coupled to the fuel tank in order to test the fuel tank for leaks. The filler neck insert includes a hollow tubular body to be received through the open fuel-mouth and suspended within the throat of the fuel tank filler neck and a base extending across the tubular body. An adapter which is connected to the filler neck insert has an outer rim mated in surrounding sealing engagement with the base of the insert and an inlet tube connected to the source of pressure or vacuum. Accordingly, a flow path is established from the pressure or vacuum source to the fuel tank by way of the adapter, the insert and the filler neck.