Electrical detector for liquid metal leaks

A method of assembling a liquid metal leak detector, comprising:

• a. coupling a direct current (DC) power supply to a plurality of analog to digital converters, each converter comprising:
• i. a liquid metal switch, wherein the liquid metal switch is closed in event of a leak, the leak causing electrical continuity between a conductive sheeting and housing for the liquid metal;
• and
• ii. a comparator connected to the liquid metal switch for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, wherein the digital signal is configured such that a high signal constitutes no leak and a low signal constitutes a leak;
• and
• b. coupling an AND gate to each of the plurality of converters for combining all of the digital signals output from the converters, the AND gate configured such that the AND gate outputs a high signal if all of its inputs are high and a low signal if any input is low.

A circulation system for liquid metal, comprising:

• a. a plurality of pipe and/or valve connections, each connection constructed to connect two or more pipe segments of the circulation system, wherein liquid metal passes through the pipe segments;
• b. an insulator layer around each connection of the plurality of connections;
• c. a conductive sheeting around each insulator layer;
• d. a leak detector circuit attached to each connection via the conductive sheeting, the leak detector circuit comprising:
• i. a direct current (DC) power supply;
• ii. an analog to digital converter connected to the DC power supply comprising:
• 1. a liquid metal switch, wherein the liquid metal switch is closed in event of a leak, the leak causing electrical continuity between the conductive sheeting and the pipe and/or valve connection;
• and
• 2. a comparator connected to the liquid metal switch for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, wherein the digital signal is configured such that a high signal constitutes no leak and a low signal constitutes a leak;
• e. an AND gate connected to each of the plurality of leak detector circuits for combining all of the digital signals output from the converters, the AND gate configured such that the AND gate outputs a high signal if all of its inputs are high and a low signal if any input is low;
• and
• f. a mechanical relay configured to receive a high or low signal from the AND gate, wherein receiving a low signal indicates to solidify the liquid metal by the opening a switch which shuts off liquid metal heaters.

A leak detector system for liquid metal batteries, comprising:

• a. a liquid metal battery, comprising:
• i. a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte, wherein at least one electrode comprises a liquid metal;
• ii. a battery housing to enclose the electrodes and electrolyte;
• iii. an insulator layer around the battery housing;
• and
• iv. a conductive sheeting around the insulator layer;
• and
• b. a leak detector circuit attached to the conductive sheeting, the leak detector circuit comprising:
• i. a direct current (DC) power supply;
• ii. a plurality of analog to digital converters connected to the DC power supply, each converter comprising:
• 1. a liquid metal switch, wherein the liquid metal switch is closed in event of a leak, the leak causing electrical continuity between the conductive sheeting and battery housing;
• and
• 2. a comparator connected to the liquid metal switch for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, wherein the digital signal is configured such that a high signal constitutes no leak and a low signal constitutes a leak;
• and
• iii. an AND gate connected to each of the plurality of converters for combining all of the digital signals output from the converters, the AND gate configured such that the AND gate outputs a high signal if all of its inputs are high and a low signal if any input is low.

A leak detector system for high power switches, comprising:

• a. a high power switch, comprising:
• i. two electrodes and a control grid between the electrodes;
• ii. liquid metal surrounding at least one of the electrodes;
• iii. a power switch housing to enclose the electrodes and control grid;
• iv. an insulator layer around the power switch housing;
• and
• v. a conductive sheeting around the insulator layer;
• and
• b. a leak detector circuit attached to the conductive sheeting, the leak detector circuit comprising:
• i. a direct current (DC) power supply;
• ii. a plurality of analog to digital converters connected to the DC power supply, each converter comprising:
• 1. a liquid metal switch, wherein the liquid metal switch is closed in event of a leak, the leak causing electrical continuity between the conductive sheeting and electrode surrounded by liquid metal;
• and
• 2. a comparator connected to the liquid metal switch for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, wherein the digital signal is configured such that a high signal constitutes no leak and a low signal constitutes a leak;
• and
• iii. an AND gate connected to each of the plurality of converters for combining all of the digital signals output from the converters, the AND gate configured such that the AND gate outputs a high signal if all of its inputs are high and a low signal if any input is low.