Thin-film fiber optic hydrogen and temperature sensor system

Patent · Tue Jul 21 00:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:871720

Nave, Stanley E ^[1]

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1. Evans, GA

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 fiberoptic 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.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5783152
• OSTI ID: 871720
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

thin-film
fiber
optic
hydrogen
temperature
sensor
discloses
probe
device
monitoring
gas
concentrations
temperatures
constructed
deposition
methods
placement
multitude
layers
materials
sensitive
light
transparent
lens
located
contains
containing
layer
permeable
material
excludes
reactive
gases
reflective
metal
forms
hydride
absorbing
semi-conducting
solid
dependent
minimum
wavelength
detection
distal
focuses
generated
broad-band
generator
connected
fiber-optics
passes
optical
fibers
base
reflected
transmitted
fiberoptic
cables
spectrometer
controller
absence
electrical
signals
wires
provides
elimination
potential
spark
sources
rich
environments
free
interferences
material layer
metal material
permeable material
reflective metal
light transparent
deposition methods
temperature dependent
hydrogen concentration
deposition method
reactive gas
film deposition
electrical signals
hydrogen gas
optical fibers
electrical signal
fiber optic
optical fiber
metal hydride
optic cable
temperature sensor
reflected light
gas concentration
light generated
optic cables
hydrogen rich
sensor probe
reactive gases
sorbing hydrogen
solid layer
focuses light
absorbing hydrogen
probe provides
optic hydrogen
fiberoptic cable
gas concentrations
hydrogen permeable
thin-film deposit
band light
probe device
conducting solid
electrical wire
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