US3886444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrogen detector for sodium cooled reactors
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1974-02-07
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-02-07
Abstract
Abstract An improved hydrogen detector for use in sodium cooled reactors. The improved detector basically comprises a diffusion tube of either pure nickel or stainless steel having a coating on the vacuum side (inside) of a thin layer of refractory metal, e.g., tungsten or molybdenum. The refractory metal functions as a diffusion barrier in the path of hydrogen diffusing from the sodium on the outside of the detector into the vacuum on the inside, thus by adjusting the thickness of the coating, it is possible to control the rate of permeation of hydrogen through the tube, thereby providing a more stable detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Prodyot Roy
- 👤 Douglas N Rodgers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:03
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/02; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/20; G01N33/202; G01N33/2022; G01N33/2025; G01N7/00; G01N7/10; G21C17/022; G21C17/025; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
IN A HYDROGEN DETECTOR FOR MEASURING HYDROGEN CONCENTRATION IN LIQUID SODIUM COMPRISING A THIN-WALLED DIFFUSION TUBE CONSTRUCTED FROM MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF NICKEL AND STAINLESS STEEL, ION PUMP MEANS CONNECTED TO CREATE A VACUUM WITHIN SAID DIFFUSION TUBE, AND POWER SUPPLY AND CURRENT READOUT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ION PUMP MEANS; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A THIN LAYER OF REFRACTORY METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF TUNGSTEN AND MOLYBDENUM COATED ON INNER WALL SURFACES OF SAID DIFFUSION TUBE FOR CONTROLLING THE RATE OF PERMEATION OF HYDROGEN IN SURROUNDING LIQUID SODIUM THROUGH SAID DIFFUSION TUBE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
IN A HYDROGEN DETECTOR FOR MEASURING HYDROGEN CONCENTRATION IN LIQUID SODIUM COMPRISING A THIN-WALLED DIFFUSION TUBE CONSTRUCTED FROM MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF NICKEL AND STAINLESS STEEL, ION PUMP MEANS CONNECTED TO CREATE A VACUUM WITHIN SAID DIFFUSION TUBE, AND POWER SUPPLY AND CURRENT READOUT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ION PUMP MEANS; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A THIN LAYER OF REFRACTORY METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF TUNGSTEN AND MOLYBDENUM COATED ON INNER WALL SURFACES OF SAID DIFFUSION TUBE FOR CONTROLLING THE RATE OF PERMEATION OF HYDROGEN IN SURROUNDING LIQUID SODIUM THROUGH SAID DIFFUSION TUBE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
In the hydrogen detector defined in claim 1, wherein said diffusion tube is constructed from stainless steel having wall thickness of about 10 mils, and wherein said refractory metal coating is selected from the group consisting of about 0.1 mil thick tungsten and about 5 mil thick molybdenum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
In the hydrogen detector defined in claim 1, wherein said diffusion tube is constructed from nickel having a wall thickness of about 20 mils, and wherein said refractory metal coating is selected from the group consisting of about 0.1 mil thick tungsten and 5 mil thick molybdenum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |