Abstract In a gas-cooled dynamoelectric machine, some machine parts contain, or are coated with, organic materials; which, upon the occurrence of localized overheating, undergo thermal decomposition and emit submicron particles into the gas coolant. An ion chamber detector has been devised for sensing the presence of these products of thermal decomposition in the gas coolant. Moreover, different organic materials produce different products of thermal decomposition which have different identifiable characteristics. If different parts of a dynamoelectric machine contain, or are coated with, different organic materials, the products of thermal decomposition may be analyzed to determine the particular localized overheating area. A sampling device for collecting these products of thermal decomposition is described herein, along with its application to a dynamoelectric machine having an ion chamber detector included therewith.
The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said sampling device includes a container having a porous flow path and further including an absorbent material within said container flow path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said absorbent material is silica gel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes: a pipe section extending, at an angle, from said conduit having a threaded free end and a lip portion formed on its opposite end, said sampling device removably inserted into said pipe section and conduit abutting said lip portion; and, a threaded plug removably inserted into said threaded end of said pipe section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said sampling device includes; a porous cylinder having a porous platform formed between the ends of the cylinder; and a non-porous sleeve supported on said porous platform, having an absorbent material contained therein; whereby gas coolant is forced to flow through said non-porous sleeve and absorbent material while flowing through said porous cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the sampling device includes: a non-porous, open-ended, container having a flow path therethrough; a plurality of baffles mounted within said container, each baffle having an absorbent surface coating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein each valve is automatically opened in response to an electrical signal from said ion chamber detector.