INFICON offers definitive leak detection for RAC systems, electric vehicle and fuel cell electric vehicle batteries, battery packs and hydrogen fuel cell systems
EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#INFICON—INFICON, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of leak testing devices and instruments, will be exhibiting at The Assembly Show, from October 24-26, 2023, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois, in Booth 645. Experts will be on hand to discuss the leak-tightness testing imperative for battery packs and components, as well as the newest capability for leak testing with a robotic arm for automated testing in refrigeration and air conditioning applications.
Leak-detection solutions for refrigeration and air conditioning systems
INFICON will present a talk at The Assembly Show, Theater #1 on Wednesday, October 25 at 10:45 am entitled, “Reliable Robotic Leak Detection Enabling Smart Manufacturing of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems.” Dan Hoffman, Sales Manager for US Production Leak Detection, will provide details on the newest capability to allow for automated testing-improving quality and cycle time for the refrigeration space.
For 20 years, manufacturers have been trying to automate leak detection on hand braze copper tubing in refrigerator applications. INFICON has recently partnered in developing a vision system capable of picking up on discrepancies of hand brazed copper tubing from part to part. INFICON is the first and only company with the capability of this new, innovative Vision System that will allow customers to automatically detect the variations of hand brazed components with a robotic arm.
Battery manufacturing solutions that assure quality
INFICON’s array of leak-detection solutions is designed to cover every aspect of leak testing for EV battery cells and battery packs, and for FCEV battery cells, battery stacks and hydrogen systems, with precise, repeatable measurements and the highest quality using INFICON’s proprietary software for measurement and reporting.
Traction battery cells and battery packs for EVs and FCEVs require leak testing to prevent liquid water or water vapor/humidity ingress, loss of medium or crossover of medium to ensure optimal battery performance, as well as battery and vehicle safety.
Leak-detection solutions for EV battery cells
On display will be INFICON’s new ELT3000 PLUS leak detector, which is specifically designed for leak testing final-filled lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells by direct detection of electrolyte solvent leaking into a test chamber. For end-of-line testing, just one ELT3000 PLUS operates several test chambers, to provide high-speed, high-throughput, high-quality leak detection in seconds for all cell formats – prismatic, cylindrical, pouch and coin – in-line at the pace of the production line. The ELT3000 PLUS can also be operated in manual mode for engineering trials or pilot production lines.
Leak-detection solutions for EV battery packs
With more than 300 places for potential leaks in EV battery packs, INFICON’s tracer gas sniffer leak-testing solutions can quickly pinpoint a leak at the micron level, saving hours in repair time and costly recalls, while ensuring the highest quality. They also can be integrated as part of the battery pack manufacturing process or for end-of-line testing. Manufacturers can select a system based on the need for measurement level, reproducibility of results and the speed of leak-tightness testing.
- On display, INFICON XL3000flex: Also using the high-flow technology with 3000 sccm, in conjunction with a robust mass spectrometer, the system guarantees the highest level of measurement sensitivity over large areas. Regardless of using helium or forming gas (5% hydrogen in nitrogen), even the smallest amounts of tracer gas can be reliably detected.
Leak-detection solutions for FCEV fuel cells and fuel cell drives
The challenge for leak testing in hydrogen fuel cells is to detect hydrogen leaking out of the cell. Diminished levels of hydrogen create the risk of vehicles losing power, which is a safety risk for vehicles in motion. Also, uncontrolled emissions of hydrogen can negatively impact safety and reliability in the FCEV system.
- FCEV fuel cell stacks/hydrogen fuel tanks: INFICON’s XL3000flex offer dynamic sniffer leak detection for end-of-line leak detection of fully assembled hydrogen fuel tanks and complete fuel cell stacks. A continuously moving sniffer detects tracer gas escaping from the test parts in seconds.
INFICON and SAE Standards Development Committees
INFICON researchers and engineers are active participants in SAE Standards Committees to define leak detection specifications for cooling circuits for lithium-ion battery packs used in EVs; and a committee examining preventing water ingress for lithium-ion battery cells.
For more information, contact INFICON, Two Technology Place, East Syracuse, NY 13057-9714, +1.315.434.1100, email: [email protected], https://www.inficon.com.
About INFICON
INFICON is a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and Smart Manufacturing/Industry 4.0 software solutions that enhance productivity and quality of tools, processes, and complete factories. These analysis, measurement and control products are also essential for gas leak detection in air conditioning/refrigeration, and automotive manufacturing.
They are vital to equipment manufacturers and end-users in the complex fabrication of semiconductors and thin film coatings for optics, flat panel displays, solar cells and industrial vacuum coating applications. Other users of vacuum-based processes include the life sciences, research, aerospace, packaging, heat treatment, laser cutting and many other industrial processes. We also leverage our expertise in vacuum technology to provide unique, toxic chemical analysis products for emergency response, security, and environmental monitoring. INFICON is headquartered in Switzerland and has world-class manufacturing facilities in Europe, the United States and China, as well as subsidiaries in China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. INFICON registered shares (IFCN) are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information about INFICON and its products, please visit www.inficon.com.
Contacts
INFICON
+1.315.434.1100
