FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a semi-automated system for leakage
testing of capacitor boxes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, the leakage testing of the fabricated capacitor boxes is
carried out by vertically clamping the capacitor boxes on a screw
jack, manually, testing the same at a pressure of around 1 to 2
bars and applying soap solution for leakage detection over the
welded edges. This is a very crude method of leak detection and
leads to some fine leaks remaining undetected. Further, manually
clamping each box in a fixture requires large cycle time & dipping
the same manually, against up-thrust, requires lot of manual
effort.
In order to overcome the above bottlenecks, it is required to
develop a semi automated system for leakage testing of capacitor
boxes.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to propose a semi-
automated system for leakage testing of capacitor boxes to reduce
the testing cycle time and thus to increase the productivity.
A further objective of the present invention is to propose a semi-
automated system for leakage testing of capacitor boxes which
reduces fatigue to operators.
Still another objective of the present invention is to propose a
semi-automated system for leakage testing of capacitor boxes
which is efficient.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a semi automated
leakage testing system for capacitor boxes comprising of
hydraulically actuated capacitor box clamping 8b sealing
arrangement, air filling arrangement, dipping & indexing
arrangement, chain conveyor system, control panel 85 control
pendants connected to each other such as herein described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The semi automated system of the present invention comprises of
hydraulically actuated capacitor box clamping, sealing, indexing,
its insertion in the water tank, air pressure application & leakage
detection. The system is made up of a fabricated structure 8b
bracketories, vertical hydraulic cylinder with a pair of guiderods,
hydraulic cylinder actuated capacitor box clamping & sealing
bracket with manual indexing & a plurality of position locking
toggle clamps, air receiver, water tank, chain conveyor system,
hydraulic powerpack, various hydraulic/pneumatic elements,
control panel 8b pendent, etc. connected to each other and working
in a combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more
apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings and wherein:
Fig. I- shows a schematic diagram of semi-automated system
for leakage testing of capacitor boxes.
Fig. II- shows leakage testing system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH
REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The Present Invention discloses a semi automated leakage testing
system for capacitor boxes comprises of:-
1) Hydraulically actuated capacitor box clamping & sealing
arrangement.
2) Air filling arrangement.
3) Dipping & Indexing arrangement.
4) Chain conveyor system.
5) Control panel 8b control pendants.
The capacitor box is positioned on the feeding chain conveyor and
is brought to the feeding end towards the water tank. The capacitor
box is lifted manually and placed on the platform which is a cage
type structure. A horizontal cylinder presses the capacitor box and
seals its open end against a rubber pad. Capacitor box is then
clamped by a plurality of manual toggle clamps and air is filled
thru air reservoir. Platform is dipped into the water tank by vertical
hydraulic cylinder, thus leakage is monitored. Capacitor box is
indexed manually if required and marking is done. Now vertical
hydraulic cylinder withdraws the capacitor box from water tank
and brings it to its home position. Air supply valve is opened and
air is released. Thereafter, clamping and sealing arrangement is
retracted. Tested box is now taken out, manually, by the operator
and placed at the discharge chain conveyor. The detailed
description of the system is as follows:
1) Hydraulically actuated capacitor box clamping & sealing
arrangement (Fig.l)
Leakage testing station is made up of fabricated structure with
a cage type platform for placing the capacitor box thereon.
Capacitor box loaded on the platform is clamped by
hydraulically actuated sealing arrangement, which is a link
based mechanism to push the capacitor box and seal its open
end against a rubber sheet attached to one end of cage type
platform. This link mechanism is actuated by the horizontal
hydraulic cylinder. Capacitor box is clamped manually by toggle
clamps attached on the top of platform.
2) Air filling arrangement (Fig.1)
Capacitor box clamping and sealing is followed by filling of air
in the capacitor box thru air filling arrangement which
comprises of an air reservoir with air inlet pressure and output
pressure regulation. Pressure regulating valve, pressure gauge
and other pneumatic elements are provided for the safe
operation.
3) Dipping & indexing arrangement (Fig.1)
Platform with capacitor box is clamped 8b sealed with pneumatic
pressure which is dipped into the water tank thru a vertical
hydraulic cylinder. Suitable brackets are provided on the
fabricated structure for mounting vertical cylinder. This cylinder
is double acting flange mounted type, guided on a pair of
guiderods. The water tank is provided with a lightening
arrangement so that leakage can be detected easily and
marked. An indexing arrangement is also provided for indexing
the platform with suitable locking pins to lock it at any desired
positions.
4) Chain conveyor system (Fig.1)
The capacitor box to be tested is placed on the feeding chain
conveyor which is manually driven. The box is brought near to
the water tank and picked up manually for loading it into the
platform. After testing, capacitor box is located on the discharge
chain conveyor. This conveyor works in reverse direction, so
that the tested box travels back to the unloading point.
5) Control panel & control pendant (Fig.1)
All controls are available on an operator's pendant. It is a small
size box separate from main control panel and is connected to
the main control panel through a steel reinforced PVC conduit
cable to provide flexibility to the operator to operate the
clamping hydraulic cylinder & for vertical adjustment of
platform from an ergonomically decided location. The control
pendant is provided with buttons for operating hydraulic
cylinder actuated clamping arrangement and
upwards/downwards movement of platform thru vertical
hydraulic cylinder & emergency stop buttons. Control panel is
having switches to Start On & Switch OFF the Main, Start On &
Switch OFF the Hydraulic Powerpack, Emergency switch. Since
the working of the machine is in an area with lot of fumes and
dust particles, proper dust proofing and cooling arrangement is
also provided in the control panel. Further, proper insulation
sheets /partitions are provided inside the control panel to
ensure safety of the maintenance personnel.
CIRCUITS:-
Pneumatic circuit
The pneumatic circuit comprises of reservoir, air direction control
valve, pressure regulating valve and pressure gauge. The
operational sequencing of the same is achieved & controlled by
operator by pushing buttons on pneumatic pendant. As per the
requirement input air pressure can be controlled from 1 to 2 bars.
Hydraulic circuit
The hydraulic circuit comprises of hydraulic pump, motor,
couplings, Hydraulic cylinders, drain plug and a tank. The circuit
houses different types of valves such as DC valve, pilot check
valve, relief valve, throttle valve, return filter, filter breather, level
indicator, suction strainer, gauge isolator valve and pressure
gauge.
Electrical circuit
The controlling, sequencing and interfacing of the various
systems/arrangements is achieved by controller unit. The relays,
contractors, co-ordinate the function & sequencing of various
pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical & power electronic circuitaries for
the operation of the developed leakage testing system.
Sequence of operation
The sequence of operation for the leakage testing station is as
follows:
1. Placing the capacitor box on the feeding chain
conveyor and bringing it to the feeding end towards
the water tank.
2. Bringing vertical cylinder to its home position, i.e.
above the tank.
3. Lifting capacitor box manually, and placing it on the
platform.
4. Pushing the capacitor box to seal its open end against
the rubber pad thru horizontal cylinder by pressing
the button available on control pendant.
5. Clamping the capacitor box by toggle clamps,
manually.
6. Filling air in the box thru air reservoir at 1 to 2 bars.
7. Actuating the vertical cylinder to dip the box into the
water tank for leakage testing.
8. Indexing the platform manually, if required, to detect
the leak and mark it.
9. Releasing air and bringing the platform out of water to
its home position.
10. Declamping the box & retracting sealing
arrangement and placing capacitor box on the
discharge chain conveyor for its further processing.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to
modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art.
Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of
this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present
invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-
WE CLAIM:-
1. A semi automated leakage testing system for capacitor boxes
comprising of:-
- hydraulically actuated capacitor box clamping & sealing
arrangement,
- air filling arrangement,
- dipping & indexing arrangement,
- chain conveyor system,
- control panel & control pendants connected to each other
such as herein described.
2. The leakage testing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said hydraulically actuated capacitor box clamping & sealing
arrangement comprises:-
- a link based mechanism actuated by hydraulic cylinder for
sealing open end of capacitor box against rubber pad and
- a plurality of toggle clamps on top of platform, actuated
manually to clamp the capacitor box.
3. The leakage testing system as claimed in claim 1 or 2
wherein said air filling arrangement comprises of air
reservoir, pressure regulating valve, pressure gauge and
other pneumatic elements.
4. The leakage testing system as claimed in any of the
preceding claims, wherein the dipping & indexing
arrangement comprises of a cage type platform actuated
hydraulically & water tank in which indexing is provided
thru link based indexing system and locking arrangement.
5. The leakage testing system as claimed in claim 4 wherein
said dipping arrangement is actuated by a double acting
flange mounted type hydraulic cylinder and guided on a pair
of guiderods.
6. The leakage testing system as claimed in any of the
preceding claims wherein the chain conveyor system
comprises of two mechanized chain conveyors i.e. feeding
conveyor for feeding the capacitor boxes to the platform &
discharge conveyor for conveying the tested elements and
further processing for loading and unloading of capacitor
boxes.
7. The leakage testing system as claimed in any of the
preceding claims wherein the controlling, sequencing and
interfacing of various system/arrangements is achieved by
controller and power unit.
8. A semi automated leakage testing system for capacitor boxes
substantially as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.

The present invention relates to a semi automated leakage testing
system for capacitor boxes comprising of hydraulically actuated
capacitor box clamping 8B sealing arrangement, air filling
arrangement, dipping 8B indexing arrangement, chain conveyor
system, control panel 8B control pendants connected to each other
such as herein described. Thus, a semi automated leakage testing
system with load carrying capacity of around 100 Kgs has been
developed for leakage testing of capacitor boxes to meet the
stringent customer requirements thru simulation of actual
conditions.