Hydrogen probe system
AssigneePetrolite Corporation
InventorJoseph D. Winslow, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydrogen probe system measuring hydrogen gas produced in the corrosion of steel, both in volume and rate, with a relatively simple construction, rapid installation at any location and trouble-free operation for extended periods of time without supervision. The probe system has a ferrous metal body enclosing a cavity wherein hydrogen gas is collected under superatmospheric pressure. The accumulated hydrogen gas is periodically vented by a valve operated between two pressure set-points with a "snap action" function by a control mechanism. Each actuation of the valve is a readout function of hydrogen gas accumulating in the cavity representing total gas volume or the rate of gas generation.
Claims10
A hydrogen probe system comprising:
- a. a ferrous metal probe body adapted to be exposed to a corrodant, said body having an enclosed fluid-tight internal cavity for collecting hydrogen gas under superatmospheric pressure buildup due to the accumulated hydrogen gas produced by action of the corrodant on said body;
- b. a pressure sensor carried on said body and connected by a fluid channel to said cavity, said sensor providing an output function which corresponds to the superatmospheric pressure of the hydrogen gas accumulated in said cavity;
- c. valve means carried on said body for venting hydrogen gas from said cavity;
- d. control means receiving the output function and with a snap action opening and closing said valve means for venting to the atmosphere the hydrogen gas in said cavity from a certain superatmospheric pressure buildup to a certain lesser superatmospheric pressure;
- and
- e. readout means indicating actuation of said valve means as a function of hydrogen gas accumulating in said cavity.
A hydrogen probe system comprising:
- a. a ferrous metal probe body adapted to be exposed to a corrodant, said body having an enclosed fluid-tight internal cavity for collecting hydrogen gas under superatmospheric pressure produced by action of the corrodant on said body;
- b. a pressure sensor carried on said body and connected by a fluid channel to said cavity, said sensor providing an output function which corresponds to the superatmospheric pressure of the hydrogen gas in said cavity, wherein said pressure sensor is a Bourdon tube integrally carried on said body, said Bourdon tube having a free end which moves spacially in response to hydrogen gas accumulating in said cavity, and the movement of said free end is the output function;
- c. valve means carried on said body for venting hydrogen gas from said cavity;
- d. control means receiving the output function and with a snap action opening and closing said valve means for venting to the atmosphere the hydrogen gas in said cavity from a certain superatmospheric pressure to a certain lesser superatmospheric pressure;
- and
- e. readout means indicating actuation of said valve means as a function of hydrogen gas accumulating in said cavity.
A hydrogen probe system comprising:
- a. a ferrous metal probe body adapted to be exposed to a corrodant, said body having an enclosed fluid-tight internal cavity for collecting hydrogen gas under superatmospheric pressure produced by action of the corrodant on said body;
- b. a Bourdon tube carried integrally on said body and connected by a fluid channel to said cavity, said Bourdon tube having a free end which moves spacially in an output function in response to hydrogen gas accumulating in said cavity;
- c. electrically operated valve means carried on said body for venting hydrogen gas to the atmosphere from said cavity;
- d. resistive transducer means converting the output function into an electrical signal;
- e. control means receiving the electrical signal and having an electrical circuit for actuating with a snap action said valve means in opening thereof responsive to first and second levels of the electrical signal representing the hydrogen gas in said cavity being vented from a certain superatmospheric pressure to a certain lesser atmospheric pressure;
- and
- f. readout means indicating actuation of said valve means as a function of hydrogen gas accumulating in said cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.