US3671912A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid moisture detector
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1971-02-22
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1991-02-22
Abstract
Abstract Detector apparatus or a moisture detection device is disclosed as having an electrode rod extending from the exterior of an enclosure containing insulating oil into the interior of the enclosure and a hollow electrode positioned coaxially around the rod electrode within the enclosure. The rod electrode is electrically insulated from the enclosure and hygroscopic material is positioned between the hollow electrode and the rod electrode and contacted by the insulating oil through at least one opening in the hollow electrode so that any moisture in the fluid will be taken up by the hygroscopic material. The rod electrode, the moisture in the hygroscopic material and the hollow electrode form an electrically conductive circuit connnected to a power source and to sensing instrumentation that will indicate, for example, current conducted by the circuit to thereby indicate the amount of moisture in the hygroscopic material and thus the amount of moisture in the insulating oil.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo S La Sota
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/12; G01N27/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
In a device for detecting moisture in an electrically insulating fluid within an enclosure, detector apparatus comprising: a first electrode supported on said enclosure in insulating relationship therewith, a second electrode within said enclosure and positioned coaxially of and spaced from the first electrode, hygroscopic material between said electrodes and in contact with said insulating fluid whereby moisture in said fluid is taken up by the hygroscopic material, and said electrodes and moisture comprise an electrically conductive circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a device for detecting moisture in an electrically insulating fluid within an enclosure, detector apparatus comprising: a first electrode supported on said enclosure in insulating relationship therewith, a second electrode within said enclosure and positioned coaxially of and spaced from the first electrode, hygroscopic material between said electrodes and in contact with said insulating fluid whereby moisture in said fluid is taken up by the hygroscopic material, and said electrodes and moisture comprise an electrically conductive circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said enclosure has an interior surface and said second electrode has an end engaging said interior surface whereby said coaxial position of the second electrode is maintained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said second electrode has a wall and at least one opening therethrough whereby said fluid contacts the hygroscopic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 1 further comprising an insulator bushing mounted on said enclosure, said bushing being between the enclosure and said first electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said detector apparatus is removable from said enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a device connected to a source of electrical power for detecting moisture in an electrically insulating fluid within an enclosure and including a support wall and a hole in the support wall, a detector probe comprising: a bushing mounted on the support wall and enclosing said opening, said bushing having an electrically insulating portion positioned along the longitudinal axis of the bushing, a rod electrode within said enclosure and extending out of the enclosure through said hole and through the insulating portion of said bushing, said rod being supported by said bushing and being electrically connected to said power source, a hollow electrode positioned coaxially around said rod electrode within said enclosure, said hollow electrode including an interior and exterior and an opening between the interior and exterior, said hollow electrode being connected to said power source, and hygroscopic material positioned between the rod electrode and hollow electrode, said hygroscopic material contacting said insulating fluid whereby moisture in the fluid is taken up by said material and said moisture conducts current between the rod electrode and hollow electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a device connected to a source of electrical power for detecting moisture in an electrically insulating fluid within an enclosure and including a support wall and a hole in the support wall, a detector probe comprising: a bushing mounted on the support wall and enclosing said opening, said bushing having an electrically insulating portion positioned along the longitudinal axis of the bushing, a rod electrode within said enclosure and extending out of the enclosure through said hole and through the insulating portion of said bushing, said rod being supported by said bushing and being electrically connected to said power source, a hollow electrode positioned coaxially around said rod electrode within said enclosure, said hollow electrode including an interior and exterior and an opening between the interior and exterior, said hollow electrode being connected to said power source, and hygroscopic material positioned between the rod electrode and hollow electrode, said hygroscopic material contacting said insulating fluid whereby moisture in the fluid is taken up by said material and said moisture conducts current between the rod electrode and hollow electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein said hollow electrode has an end extending away from said hole and said enclosure includes a second wall positioned opposite and engaging the end of said hollow electrode whereby the hollow electrode is maintained around the rod electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein said hollow electrode comprises a helical spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein said enclosure comprises a pipe and said rod electrode is positioned transversely of the length of said pipe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 6 further comprising circuit means electrically connected to said electrodes for sensing the level of current flowing between the rod and hollow electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2752586A
Cited
US3092179A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |