Portable light source and system for use in leak detection

Abstract

A light source for examining leak detection sites in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems using a fluorescent dye is described. The system includes eyewear.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for identifying a leak in a fluid system comprising: 
 a light source for emitting light; and    an eyewear for restricting observation of emitted light from the light source to enhance detection of fluorescence.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source includes a low voltage lamp configured to emit light from the light source.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the light source emits substantially no light at the emission wavelength.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the lamp is a halogen lamp.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the lamp is electrically connected to a battery.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the eyewear is a pair of fluorescence enhancing glasses.  
     
     
         8 . A system for detecting leaks in a fluid system, the system comprising: 
 a light source for emitting an excitation wavelength of light to excite a substance that emits an emission wavelength of light; and    an eyewear filter for enhancing observation of the emission wavelength of light.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the light source includes a low voltage lamp.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the light source emits substantially no light at the emission wavelength of light.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the lamp is a halogen lamp.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the lamp is electrically connected to a battery.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the eyewear filter is a pair of fluorescence enhancing glasses.  
     
     
         15 . A method of detecting a leak in a fluid system containing a substance capable of emitting an emission wavelength of light comprising: 
 providing light from a light source at the excitation wavelength of the substance; and    detecting the emission of light from the substance through an eyewear filter that enhances detection of fluorescence.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the the emission wavelength passes through eyewear filter and the exitation wavelength substantially does not pass through the eyewear filter.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the light source includes a low voltage lamp.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the lamp is a halogen lamp.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the lamp is electrically connected to a battery.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the eyewear filter is a pair of fluorescence enhancing glasses.