US4149161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protecting electrical apparatus with gas generating compounds
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1976-12-16
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Granted: 1979-04-10
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Expires: 1996-12-16
Abstract
Abstract Electrical apparatus cooled with a stream of hydrogen gas is protected from overheating by applying a coating to a portion of the apparatus which is exposed to the gas stream. The coating contains a compound which decomposes between 80 DEG and 200 DEG C. to produce a gas detectable by a monitor. The monitor detects gases heavier than hydrogen in the gas stream and sounds an alarm when they are present.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Phillips
- 👤 James D. B. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:14
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K9/00; H02K9/24; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/34; G01R31/343; H02H; H02H5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of detecting overheating in electrical apparatus cooled by a hydrogen stream, comprising (1) applying a coating to a position in said electrical apparatus which is exposed to said hydrogen stream, said coating containing a compond which decomposes between 80° and 200° C. to produce a gas heavier than hydrogen; (2) ionizing at least a portion of said hydrogen stream and measuring the flow of electrical current across said ionized hydrogen stream; (3) monitoring said electrical current for an increase in said electric current; and (4) using said increase in said electric current as an indication that overheating has occurred in said electrical appparatus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of detecting overheating in electrical apparatus cooled by a hydrogen stream, comprising (1) applying a coating to a position in said electrical apparatus which is exposed to said hydrogen stream, said coating containing a compond which decomposes between 80° and 200° C. to produce a gas heavier than hydrogen; (2) ionizing at least a portion of said hydrogen stream and measuring the flow of electrical current across said ionized hydrogen stream; (3) monitoring said electrical current for an increase in said electric current; and (4) using said increase in said electric current as an indication that overheating has occurred in said electrical appparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said compound is methenamine mandelate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said compound produces at least one mole of gas per mole of compound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said gas has a molecular weight of at least 30.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said gas is sulfur dioxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said hydrogen gas is ionized with alpha radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said compound is formamidine sulfinic acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said electrical apparatus is a generator.
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) | 1982-04-09 | 1982-10-09 | 1983-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-09 | 1986-10-09 | 1987-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-09 | 1990-10-09 | 1991-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |