US4324760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrogen detector
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1981-04-01
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Granted: 1982-04-13
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Expires: 2001-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A hydrogen detector comprised of a substrate supporting an electrically conducting base metal film, an electrically conducting top film of metal able to dissociate hydrogen into atomic form, a polycrystalline film of titanium dioxide sandwiched between the base and top films, the polycrystalline titanium dioxide film electrically insulating the base film from said top film, the base film being in electrical contact with the titanium dioxide film, an insulating layer electrically insulating said titanium dioxide film from said top film except for a predetermined surface portion thereof in electrical contact with said top film, said predetermined electrically contacting portion being at least sufficiently large to produce a measurable electrical conductance, said top and base films being connected to an external circuit to measure conductance, the electrical conductivity of said hydrogen detector varying with the concentration of hydrogen in the atmosphere surrounding it.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence A. Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A hydrogen detector comprised of a substrate supporting an electrically conducting base metal film, an electrically conducting top film of metal able to dissociate hydrogen into atomic form, a polycrystalline film of titanium dioxide sandwiched between the base and top films, said polycrystalline titanium dioxide film electrically insulating the base film from said top film, the base film being in electrical contact with the titanium dioxide film, an insulating layer electrically insulating said titanium dioxide film from said top film except for a predetermined surface portion thereof in electrical contact with said top film, said predetermined electrically contacting portion being at least sufficiently large to produce a measurable electrical conductance, said top and base films being electrically connected to an external circuit to measure conductance, the electrical conductance of said hydrogen detector varying with the concentration of hydrogen in the atmosphere surrounding it.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A hydrogen detector comprised of a substrate supporting an electrically conducting base metal film, an electrically conducting top film of metal able to dissociate hydrogen into atomic form, a polycrystalline film of titanium dioxide sandwiched between the base and top films, said polycrystalline titanium dioxide film electrically insulating the base film from said top film, the base film being in electrical contact with the titanium dioxide film, an insulating layer electrically insulating said titanium dioxide film from said top film except for a predetermined surface portion thereof in electrical contact with said top film, said predetermined electrically contacting portion being at least sufficiently large to produce a measurable electrical conductance, said top and base films being electrically connected to an external circuit to measure conductance, the electrical conductance of said hydrogen detector varying with the concentration of hydrogen in the atmosphere surrounding it.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hydrogen detector according to claim 1 wherein said base metal film is selected from the group consisting of titanium, gold, silver, nickel, tin, copper and alloys thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hydrogen detector according to claim 1 wherein said top metal film is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium and alloys thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hydrogen detector according to claim 1 wherein said top metal film is platinum and said base metal film is titanium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The hydrogen detector of claim 1 wherein said insulating layer is comprised of polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hydrogen detector of claim 1 wherein said insulating layer is comprised of silicon monoxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
A hydrogen detector comprised of an electrically conducting metal substrate supporting a polycrystalline film of titanium oxide, an electrically conducting top film of metal able to dissociate hydrogen into atomic form, said polycrystalline film of titanium dioxide being sandwiched between the substrate and top film and electrically insulating the substrate from said top film, the substrate being in electrical contact with the titanium dioxide film, an insulating layer electrically insulating said titanium dioxide film from said top film except for a predetermined surface portion thereof in electrical contact with said top film, said predetermined electrically contacting portion being at least sufficiently large to produce a measurable electrical conductance, said substrate and said top film being electrically connected to an external circuit to measure conductance, the electrical conductance of said hydrogen detector varying with the concentration of hydrogen in the atmosphere surrounding it.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
A hydrogen detector comprised of an electrically conducting metal substrate supporting a polycrystalline film of titanium oxide, an electrically conducting top film of metal able to dissociate hydrogen into atomic form, said polycrystalline film of titanium dioxide being sandwiched between the substrate and top film and electrically insulating the substrate from said top film, the substrate being in electrical contact with the titanium dioxide film, an insulating layer electrically insulating said titanium dioxide film from said top film except for a predetermined surface portion thereof in electrical contact with said top film, said predetermined electrically contacting portion being at least sufficiently large to produce a measurable electrical conductance, said substrate and said top film being electrically connected to an external circuit to measure conductance, the electrical conductance of said hydrogen detector varying with the concentration of hydrogen in the atmosphere surrounding it.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hydrogen detector according to claim 7 wherein said substrate is selected from the group consisting of titanium, gold, silver, nickel, tin, copper and alloys thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hydrogen detector according to claim 7 wherein said top metal film is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium and alloys thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The hydrogen detector according to claim 7 wherein said top metal film is platinum and said substrate is titanium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The hydrogen detector of claim 7 wherein said insulating layer is comprised of polymer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hydrogen detector of claim 7 wherein said insulating layer is comprised of silicon monoxide.
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) | 1985-04-12 | 1985-10-12 | 1986-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-12 | 1989-10-12 | 1990-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-12 | 1993-10-12 | 1994-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |