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Title: Thin-film fiber optic hydrogen and temperature sensor system

Abstract

The invention discloses a sensor probe device for monitoring of hydrogen gas concentrations and temperatures by the same sensor probe. The sensor probe is constructed using thin-film deposition methods for the placement of a multitude of layers of materials sensitive to hydrogen concentrations and temperature on the end of a light transparent lens located within the sensor probe. The end of the lens within the sensor probe contains a lens containing a layer of hydrogen permeable material which excludes other reactive gases, a layer of reflective metal material that forms a metal hydride upon absorbing hydrogen, and a layer of semi-conducting solid that is transparent above a temperature dependent minimum wavelength for temperature detection. The three layers of materials are located at the distal end of the lens located within the sensor probe. The lens focuses light generated by broad-band light generator and connected by fiber-optics to the sensor probe, onto a reflective metal material layer, which passes through the semi-conducting solid layer, onto two optical fibers located at the base of the sensor probe. The reflected light is transmitted over fiber optic cables to a spectrometer and system controller. The absence of electrical signals and electrical wires in themore » sensor probe provides for an elimination of the potential for spark sources when monitoring in hydrogen rich environments, and provides a sensor free from electrical interferences. 3 figs.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
672491
Patent Number(s):
5783152
Application Number:
PAN: 8-824,063
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC09-89SR18035
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 21 Jul 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
08 HYDROGEN FUEL; 44 INSTRUMENTATION, INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; HYDROGEN; TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT; GAS ANALYSIS; THERMOMETERS; DESIGN; CHEMISORPTION; OPTICAL FIBERS; OPERATION

Citation Formats

Nave, S E. Thin-film fiber optic hydrogen and temperature sensor system. United States: N. p., 1998. Web.
Nave, S E. Thin-film fiber optic hydrogen and temperature sensor system. United States.
Nave, S E. Tue . "Thin-film fiber optic hydrogen and temperature sensor system". United States.
@article{osti_672491,
title = {Thin-film fiber optic hydrogen and temperature sensor system},
author = {Nave, S E},
abstractNote = {The invention discloses a sensor probe device for monitoring of hydrogen gas concentrations and temperatures by the same sensor probe. The sensor probe is constructed using thin-film deposition methods for the placement of a multitude of layers of materials sensitive to hydrogen concentrations and temperature on the end of a light transparent lens located within the sensor probe. The end of the lens within the sensor probe contains a lens containing a layer of hydrogen permeable material which excludes other reactive gases, a layer of reflective metal material that forms a metal hydride upon absorbing hydrogen, and a layer of semi-conducting solid that is transparent above a temperature dependent minimum wavelength for temperature detection. The three layers of materials are located at the distal end of the lens located within the sensor probe. The lens focuses light generated by broad-band light generator and connected by fiber-optics to the sensor probe, onto a reflective metal material layer, which passes through the semi-conducting solid layer, onto two optical fibers located at the base of the sensor probe. The reflected light is transmitted over fiber optic cables to a spectrometer and system controller. The absence of electrical signals and electrical wires in the sensor probe provides for an elimination of the potential for spark sources when monitoring in hydrogen rich environments, and provides a sensor free from electrical interferences. 3 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jul 21 00:00:00 EDT 1998},
month = {Tue Jul 21 00:00:00 EDT 1998}
}

Patent:
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