A new method of rapid quality detection of vacuum insulation panels

A new method of measuring gas pressure in vacuum insulation panels （VIPs） is reported in this study, which provides a fast and efficient quality control option of production. Although there are different methods of measuring gas pressure for VIPs, connecting an internal measurement gauge to external data acquisition units is problematic. The thin high barrier film covering the panel＇s core usually prevents external electrical wires or mechanical devices being connected to the inside of the VIPs. To solve this problem, a micro capacitive pressure sensor with 0 to 250 Pa detection range is developed to detect the vacuum pressure. The sensor has high linearity and a sensitivity of 10 mV/Pa. Moreover, through the communication mode study, an ultrasound communications system for VIPs is designed. It shows from operation that this system is stable and reliable, and quick for communication speed. This new method enables the quality detection of VIPs to be completed within 1 second. The minimum detectable pressure of VIPs is below 1 Pa, and the measurement error can be controlled around 5%.