US3980530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-electrode gas analysis method for electrically sensing and controlling redox reactions
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-07-10
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A gas analysis system includes a pair of electrodes disposed in a cell containing an electrolyte through which a sample gas containing an unknown quantity of a reactant gas is passed. The gas reacts with the electrolyte, which changes the electrical resistance of the electrolyte in proportion to the concentration of the reactant gas. The electrodes are part of an externally-powered monitoring circuit which alternately senses the resistance of the electrolyte and then generates a voltage between the electrodes in response to the sensed resistance, permitting a generating current to flow periodically in response to the sensed resistance, the generating current being proportional to the amount of gas reacting with the electrolyte.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolph L. Hueser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/42; G01N27/44; G01N27/02; G01N27/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
In a method of determining the amount of a reactant gas in a sample gas stream that will reduce the concentration of halogen, the steps of passing the sample gas stream through a body of aqueous halide electrolyte contained in a cell so the amount of reactant gas contained in the sample gas will react with free halogen dissolved in the electrolyte and reduce its electrical conductivity in an amount proportional to the amount of reactant gas in the sample gas stream, disposing a cathode and an anode in spaced apart relation in the aqueous electrolyte in the cell, producing a first voltage pulse between the cathode and the anode by a sensing circuit to monitor the electrical resistance of the electrolyte present between the cathode and the anode, and producing a second voltage pulse between the cathode and the anode, immediately following said first voltage pulse, by a generating circuit which is either sufficient to electrolyze the halide and form free halogen if the monitored electrical resistance of the electrolyte is within a first range or is insufficient to electrolyze the halide if the monitored electrical resistance of the electrolyte is within a second range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
In a method of determining the amount of a reactant gas in a sample gas stream that will reduce the concentration of halogen, the steps of passing the sample gas stream through a body of aqueous halide electrolyte contained in a cell so the amount of reactant gas contained in the sample gas will react with free halogen dissolved in the electrolyte and reduce its electrical conductivity in an amount proportional to the amount of reactant gas in the sample gas stream, disposing a cathode and an anode in spaced apart relation in the aqueous electrolyte in the cell, producing a first voltage pulse between the cathode and the anode by a sensing circuit to monitor the electrical resistance of the electrolyte present between the cathode and the anode, and producing a second voltage pulse between the cathode and the anode, immediately following said first voltage pulse, by a generating circuit which is either sufficient to electrolyze the halide and form free halogen if the monitored electrical resistance of the electrolyte is within a first range or is insufficient to electrolyze the halide if the monitored electrical resistance of the electrolyte is within a second range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the electrolyte has a characteristic voltage level above which it can be electrolyzed and below which no electrolysis takes place, and in which the generating circuit produces a voltage pulse above said characteristic level if the monitored resistance is above a certain level, or in which the generating circuit produces a voltage pulse below said characteristic level if the monitored resistance is below the certain level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 2 including periodically sensing via the sensing circuit the electrical resistance between the cathode and the anode, and periodically operating the generating circuit in response to the resistance monitored by the sensing circuit in the period immediately preceding each operative period of the generating circuit to produce a periodic output which is a function of the resistance periodically measured by the sensing circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 3 including operating the sensing circuit and the generating circuit on power from an electrical power supply external to the cell and the electrolyte.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
The method according to claim 4 including producing a first output signal via the sensing circuit when the electrical resistance of the electrolyte present between the cathode and the anode is above a certain level or producing a second output signal when the electrical resistance of the electrolyte present between the cathode and the anode is below the certain level, and activating the generating circuit in response either to the first output signal to apply a voltage pulse between the cathode and the anode sufficient to electrolyze the electrolyte or to the second output signal to apply a voltage pulse between the cathode and the anode insufficient to electrolyze the electrolyte.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 including recording the generating circuit current as an indication of the amount of the reactant in the sample gas stream.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the portion of the cell contacting the electrolyte is made from an inert material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method according to claim 7 in which the cathode and anode are each made from an inert conductive material; and including disposing the cathode and anode within the cell so that each is submerged in the electrolyte and in free communication with each other through the electrolyte so that any change in free halogen concentration of the electrolyte can be sensed between the electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the sensing and generating steps of the sensing and generating circuits, respectively, are alternately shared only by the cathode and the anode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 including operating the sensing circuit and the generating circuit on power from an electrical power supply external to the cell and the electrolyte.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1 including submerging the cathode and anode in said electrolyte, and reacting the sample gas stream with the electrolyte in the presence of the cathode and the anode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 11 in which either of the cathode or anode is a cylindrical open-ended body, and the other is located in the interior of the cylinder; and including admitting the sample gas stream to the electrolyte at a location to provide circulation of the electrolyte through the cylinder.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |