US2742585A - Electrical vapor detector - Google Patents
Electrical vapor detector Download PDFInfo
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- US2742585A US2742585A US305883A US30588352A US2742585A US 2742585 A US2742585 A US 2742585A US 305883 A US305883 A US 305883A US 30588352 A US30588352 A US 30588352A US 2742585 A US2742585 A US 2742585A
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- filament
- envelope
- coating
- alkali
- positive ion
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- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 37
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 28
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 17
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 16
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 claims description 16
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000011819 refractory material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- ZSLUVFAKFWKJRC-IGMARMGPSA-N 232Th Chemical compound [232Th] ZSLUVFAKFWKJRC-IGMARMGPSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052776 Thorium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052790 beryllium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- ATBAMAFKBVZNFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N beryllium atom Chemical compound [Be] ATBAMAFKBVZNFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 208000035155 Mitochondrial DNA-associated Leigh syndrome Diseases 0.000 claims 1
- 208000003531 maternally-inherited Leigh syndrome Diseases 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 21
- 239000003513 alkali Substances 0.000 description 18
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000001235 sensitizing effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- LTPBRCUWZOMYOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Beryllium oxide Chemical compound O=[Be] LTPBRCUWZOMYOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium oxide Chemical compound [Mg]=O CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titan oxide Chemical compound O=[Ti]=O GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229910052783 alkali metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 150000001340 alkali metals Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- YMWUJEATGCHHMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dichloromethane Chemical compound ClCCl YMWUJEATGCHHMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chloroform Chemical compound ClC(Cl)Cl HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrochloric acid Chemical compound Cl VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- QARVLSVVCXYDNA-UHFFFAOYSA-N bromobenzene Chemical compound BrC1=CC=CC=C1 QARVLSVVCXYDNA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NEHMKBQYUWJMIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N chloromethane Chemical compound ClC NEHMKBQYUWJMIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 150000002366 halogen compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000000395 magnesium oxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- ZCUFMDLYAMJYST-UHFFFAOYSA-N thorium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Th]=O ZCUFMDLYAMJYST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- RFFLAFLAYFXFSW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,2-dichlorobenzene Chemical compound ClC1=CC=CC=C1Cl RFFLAFLAYFXFSW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052684 Cerium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 241000434830 Cleopomiarus micros Species 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052693 Europium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052688 Gadolinium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 229910021578 Iron(III) chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XSTXAVWGXDQKEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Trichloroethylene Chemical group ClC=C(Cl)Cl XSTXAVWGXDQKEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium Chemical compound [Zr] QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 alkali metal compound ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- ZMIGMASIKSOYAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N cerium Chemical compound [Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce] ZMIGMASIKSOYAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- OGPBJKLSAFTDLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N europium atom Chemical compound [Eu] OGPBJKLSAFTDLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UIWYJDYFSGRHKR-UHFFFAOYSA-N gadolinium atom Chemical compound [Gd] UIWYJDYFSGRHKR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052735 hafnium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- VBJZVLUMGGDVMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N hafnium atom Chemical compound [Hf] VBJZVLUMGGDVMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- INQOMBQAUSQDDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N iodomethane Chemical compound IC INQOMBQAUSQDDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RBTARNINKXHZNM-UHFFFAOYSA-K iron trichloride Chemical compound Cl[Fe](Cl)Cl RBTARNINKXHZNM-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 229910044991 metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000004706 metal oxides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940050176 methyl chloride Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000005012 migration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013508 migration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
- UBOXGVDOUJQMTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N trichloroethylene Natural products ClCC(Cl)Cl UBOXGVDOUJQMTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten Chemical compound [W] WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052721 tungsten Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010937 tungsten Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052726 zirconium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J41/00—Discharge tubes for measuring pressure of introduced gas or for detecting presence of gas; Discharge tubes for evacuation by diffusion of ions
- H01J41/02—Discharge tubes for measuring pressure of introduced gas or for detecting presence of gas
- H01J41/04—Discharge tubes for measuring pressure of introduced gas or for detecting presence of gas with ionisation by means of thermionic cathodes
Definitions
- the positive ions so formed being collected by a negatively charged electrode to produce an indicating current which increases with the concentration of the substance.
- vices of this type have been found to be qualitatively selec tive at atmospheric or greater pressures and in vacua; that is, they respond only to certain types of substances such as the alkali metals or other substances having ionization potentials less than the electron work function of the electrodes, the halogens or compounds of either.
- the alkali metals and their compounds the ion formation apparently occurs by ionization of the substance when it comes into contact with the 7 more positively charged and heated electrode.
- the substance appears to cause ion formation onlyin the presence of what might culled sensitizing materials such as the alkali metals and their compounds, and it further appears in this case that the sensitizing materials themselves are
- the above-referenced and described device for the detection of halogens and their compounds in vacuayparticularly at pressures of the order of 1 mm. Hg. or lower, I have found that high background currents of positive ions are obtained as a result of the absorption of the halogens'and their compounds by the large bulk of sensitizing material which is utilized.
- sensitizing material serves as a source of the halogensand their compounds for a considerable length of time following cessation of their admission to the electrical discharge device and the associated vacuum system, whereby high background currents of positive ions result and limit the usefulness of the device.
- close spacing of the negative and positive electrodes for V the purpose of increasing sensitivity and reducing the difference of potential required to collect the positive ions necessitates elaborate and expensive manufacturing procedures for obtaining such close spacings.
- the principal object of my invention is to provide an improved electrical vapor detector of the type described wherein high background currents are absent and expensive manufacturing procedures'are avoided.
- I eliminate high background currents and expensive manufacturing procedures in vapor detectors of the type described by coating the positive heated electrode with a refractory material which serves both as an insulator and as a longlife positive ion emitter or sensitizing material at the temperature of operation of the device.
- a refractory material which serves both as an insulator and as a longlife positive ion emitter or sensitizing material at the temperature of operation of the device.
- an electric discharge device which comprises a hermetically sealed envelope 1 adapted to be sealed into a vacuum system (not shown) through a tubular connection 2.
- a hermetically sealed envelope 1 adapted to be sealed into a vacuum system (not shown) through a tubular connection 2.
- a filament 5 which is coated over its operative portions with a refractory material that will be more fully described hereinafter.
- a tubular'collector electrode 6 of conductive material such as nickel, copper, silver, platinum, etc., which is supported by a rigid conductive lead 7.
- the coating on filament 5 can contact electrode 6 at several points.
- Filament 5 is heated bypassing current therethrough'from asuitable' source 8 of alternating or direct current connected across leads 3 and 4.
- Interconmeeting leads 3 and 7 is a series circuit which includes a source of direct voltage 9, a current limiting resistor '10 and a direct current microammeter 11.
- Lead 3 can be connected to ground as illustrated at 12.
- Electrode 6 must be at a negative potential with respect to filament 5 and therefore, if source 8 is an alternating voltage source, the peak magnitude must be less than the voltage of source 9 by the desired minimum difference of potential between electrode 6 and filament 5.
- the device is evacuated through tubular connection 2, preferably to a pressure of the order of 1 mm. Hg or lower.
- a pressure of the order of 1 mm. Hg or lower After evacuation and energization of the device such that filament 5 heats the coating thereon to a temperature ranging from about 700 C. to 12001300 C. or somewhat higher, relatively large ion currents are initially collected upon the negatively charged electrode 6 and indicated upon microammeter 11.
- the device is prepared to indicate the subsequent admission of the vapors of halogens and their compounds to the vacuum system. Such admission of the vapors of halogens and their compounds causes an increase in the positive ion current collected upon the negatively charged electrode 6.
- One convenient manner of utilization of the device is to go over the surface of the vacuum system with a probe-directed stream of a gaseous halogen compound such as dichlorodifiuoromethane, whereby leaks in the system can be detected by the increase in the reading of meter 11. 7
- a gaseous halogen compound such as dichlorodifiuoromethane
- This coating serves as a source of the alkali metal (e. g. sodium, potassium, etc.) ions or alkali metal compound ions which are collected upon electrode 6 and also as an insulator for preventing electronic conduction between filament 5 and'electrode 6.
- alkali metal e. g. sodium, potassium, etc.
- evaporation of alkali ions from the surface of the coating increases thereby increasing the reading of meter 11 and indicating the presence of the halogens.
- thin refractory coatings e. g.
- Materials which can be alternatively employed for the refractory coating of filament 5 according to the invention are the oxides of aluminum (alumina), titanium (titania), beryllium (beryllia), thorium (thoria), magnesium (magnesia), calcium, molybdenum, iron, manganese, silicon, cobalt, nickel, and the rare earths (the rare earths have atomic numbers 57 to 71, inclusive, e. g. europium, cerium, gadolinium, etc.). Even in their most purified available forms, these oxides contain at least a few hundrethsv of a per cent of alkali impurities which evaporate as alkali ions during operation of the vapor detector to detect halogens.
- the oxides of these materials apparently possess semi-conductor properties which allow them to serve as insulators for the direct flow of current between filament 5 and electrode 6 but still permit the evaporation of alkali ions in the presence of halogens. While I do not fully understand the reasons for this dual nature of these materials, I realize that, if these materials remained relatively perfect insulators at high temperatures, continued alkali ion emission could not be obtained because the charge left by removal of a few positive ions from the surface of the coating would efiectivcly prevent further evaporation.
- these materials presumably become sufficiently good semi-conductors to allow migration of charge from the surface of the coating to the filament where the charge is neutralized, but at the same time retain sufiicient insulating properties to prevent electronic conduction between filament 5 and electrode 6 where the coating contacts electrode 6.
- the oxides of zirconium and hafnium do not serve as successful alkali ion emitters in the device, of'the invention.
- the process of. the evaporation of alkali ions from theabove-mentioned materials is fundamentally different from the evaporation of positive ions from the surface of a conductor.
- the thickness of the coating uponfilament 5 is, as stated heretofore, preferably of the order of a few mils. The thickness should be as small as possible in order to reduce the bulkof absorbent material within the discharge device but still provide adequate alkali ion emission and insulation.
- the temperature to which the coating is heated preferably is as high as can be utilized without evaporation of the molecules of the selected material itself, i. e. the material must remain thermally stable. For the; materials of the invention. this temperature ranges from about 700 C. to about 1300 C.
- the material of filament 5 must, of course, be a conductor capable of withstanding the high temperatures of operation, e. g. tungsten, platinum, etc.
- the selected material of the coating can be deposited upon the filament in conventional fashion foroxide coatcdfilaments by spraying or otherwiselapplying a-colloidal suspension. of granules of the material upon the filament and thereafter baking to eva, oratc theliquid carrier.
- the filament can have convenient formsor shapes other-.than-the twisted configuration illustrated, in the,- figure, providing. sufiicient passages are provided within electrode 6 t to, permit. exposure of considerahlesurfaee-of, the coating to, vaporsv of halogens or their compounds. introduced into. the vacuum system. While itispreferable for electrodes to be tubular so that a maximum-number of :alkali ions evaporatedfromthe coating can. becollected, semi-tubular or other: convenient shapes can be. utilized.
- chloroform CHCla
- ferric chloride FeCls
- hydrochloric acid I-ICl
- bromobenzene CsHsBr
- methyl iodide CHsI
- monochlorobcnzene CsHsCl
- methylene chloride CHzClz
- methyl chloride CHsCl
- chlorodifiuoro methane CHClFz
- trichloroethylene CHClCClz
- an electrical discharge device comprising an evacuable envelope having a conduit opening thereinto for the introduction of vapors to be detected, positive ion generating means supported within said envelope and consisting of a filament coated with a coating a few mils thick of a refractory material selected from the group consisting of the oxides of aluminum, titanium, beryllium, thorium, magnesium, calcium, molybdenum, iron, manganese, silicon, cobalt, nickel and the rare earths, and which contains at least several hundredths percent of an alkali, said coated filament being the only positive ion emitter present within said envelope, and a positive ion collector electrode supported within said envelope closely adjacent to said coated filament.
- an electrical discharge device comprising an evacuable envelope having a conduit opening thereinto for the introduction of vapors to be detected, positive ion generating means supported within said envelope and consisting of a filament coated with a coating a few mils of thick of a refractory material which is thermally stable at temperatures between 700 C. and 1300 C.
- said coated filament being the only positive ion emitter present within said envelope and having both the property of an alkali ion emitter in the-presence of vapors of halogens and their compounds and the property of an insulator for electronic conduction at temperatures between 700 C. and 1300 C., and a cylindrical positive ion collector electrode supported within said envelope closely surrounding said coated filament.
- an electrical discharge device comprising an evacuable envclops having a conduit opening thereinto for the introduction of vapors to be detected, positive ion generating means supported within said envelope and consisting of a filament coated with a coating a few mils thick of a refractory material selected from the group consisting of the oxides of aluminum, titanium, beryllium, thorium, magnesium, calcium, molybdenum, iron, manganese, silicon, cobalt, nickel and the rare earths, and containingat least several hundredths percent of an alkali, said coated filament being the only positive ion emitter present within said envelope and having both the.
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- Other Investigation Or Analysis Of Materials By Electrical Means (AREA)
Description
April 1956 P. D. ZEMANY ELECTRICAL VAPOR DETECTOR Filed Aug. 22, 1952 T0 VACUUM SYSTEM 0. C. MICRO/l MMETER Inventor";
Paul D. Zemang,
His Attorney.
United States PatentO 2,742,585 ELECTRICAL 'VAPOR DETECTOR Paul D. Zemany, Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application August 22, 1952, Serial No. 305,883 8 Claims. (CL, 313-7) vapors, smokes and similar matter in an atmosphere by directing a sample of an atmosphere suspected of containing a concentration of the substances to be detected into an electrical discharge device under conditions which permit the substance to induce positive ion formation at a more positively charged and heated electrode or anode, V
the positive ions so formed being collected by a negatively charged electrode to produce an indicating current which increases with the concentration of the substance. De-
. vices of this type have been found to be qualitatively selec tive at atmospheric or greater pressures and in vacua; that is, they respond only to certain types of substances such as the alkali metals or other substances having ionization potentials less than the electron work function of the electrodes, the halogens or compounds of either. For certain substances such as the alkali metals and their compounds the ion formation apparently occurs by ionization of the substance when it comes into contact with the 7 more positively charged and heated electrode. For others such as the halogens and their compounds the substance appears to cause ion formation onlyin the presence of what might culled sensitizing materials such as the alkali metals and their compounds, and it further appears in this case that the sensitizing materials themselves are In employing the above-referenced and described device for the detection of halogens and their compounds in vacuayparticularly at pressures of the order of 1 mm. Hg. or lower, I have found that high background currents of positive ions are obtained as a result of the absorption of the halogens'and their compounds by the large bulk of sensitizing material which is utilized. The large bulk of sensitizing material serves as a source of the halogensand their compounds for a considerable length of time following cessation of their admission to the electrical discharge device and the associated vacuum system, whereby high background currents of positive ions result and limit the usefulness of the device. Moreover, I have found that close spacing of the negative and positive electrodes for V the purpose of increasing sensitivity and reducing the difference of potential required to collect the positive ions necessitates elaborate and expensive manufacturing procedures for obtaining such close spacings.
The principal object of my invention is to provide an improved electrical vapor detector of the type described wherein high background currents are absent and expensive manufacturing procedures'are avoided.
According to one important aspect of my invention which is more particularly described hereinafter, I eliminate high background currents and expensive manufacturing procedures in vapor detectors of the type described by coating the positive heated electrode with a refractory material which serves both as an insulator and as a longlife positive ion emitter or sensitizing material at the temperature of operation of the device. In this manner I am able to construct the positive and negative electrodes without taking special precautions to prevent their contact with each other and am additionally able to avoid the use of a large bulk of sensitizing material within the discharge device of the detector.
In the single figure of the drawing, which is a partly schematic simplified representation of an electrical vapor detector according to my invention, there is shown an electric discharge device which comprises a hermetically sealed envelope 1 adapted to be sealed into a vacuum system (not shown) through a tubular connection 2. Supported within envelope 1 by means of rigid conductive leads 3 and 4 is a filament 5 which is coated over its operative portions with a refractory material that will be more fully described hereinafter. Surrounding filament 5 is a tubular'collector electrode 6 of conductive material such as nickel, copper, silver, platinum, etc., which is supported by a rigid conductive lead 7. As shown, the coating on filament 5 can contact electrode 6 at several points. Filament 5 is heated bypassing current therethrough'from asuitable' source 8 of alternating or direct current connected across leads 3 and 4. Interconmeeting leads 3 and 7 is a series circuit which includes a source of direct voltage 9, a current limiting resistor '10 and a direct current microammeter 11. Lead 3 can be connected to ground as illustrated at 12. Electrode 6 must be at a negative potential with respect to filament 5 and therefore, if source 8 is an alternating voltage source, the peak magnitude must be less than the voltage of source 9 by the desired minimum difference of potential between electrode 6 and filament 5.
In the operation of the device of the drawing, the device is evacuated through tubular connection 2, preferably to a pressure of the order of 1 mm. Hg or lower. After evacuation and energization of the device such that filament 5 heats the coating thereon to a temperature ranging from about 700 C. to 12001300 C. or somewhat higher, relatively large ion currents are initially collected upon the negatively charged electrode 6 and indicated upon microammeter 11. When this initial current subsides, the device is prepared to indicate the subsequent admission of the vapors of halogens and their compounds to the vacuum system. Such admission of the vapors of halogens and their compounds causes an increase in the positive ion current collected upon the negatively charged electrode 6. One convenient manner of utilization of the device is to go over the surface of the vacuum system with a probe-directed stream of a gaseous halogen compound such as dichlorodifiuoromethane, whereby leaks in the system can be detected by the increase in the reading of meter 11. 7
One of the most important aspects of my invention concerns the selection of material for coating filament 5 over the portion of its surface which is within electrode 6. This coating according to the invention serves as a source of the alkali metal (e. g. sodium, potassium, etc.) ions or alkali metal compound ions which are collected upon electrode 6 and also as an insulator for preventing electronic conduction between filament 5 and'electrode 6. When the vapors of halogens and their compounds come into contact with the heated coating, the evaporation of alkali ions from the surface of the coating increases thereby increasing the reading of meter 11 and indicating the presence of the halogens. I have found that thin refractory coatings, e. g. coatings of a few mils thickness, of spe ific metal oxides act both -as insulators' and alkali ion emitters at temperatures ranging from about 700 C. to 1-200l300 C. or higher. Moreover, although the quantity of the material of the refractory coating is relatively small in volume, alkali ion emission can be obtained for as long as several hundred hours.
Materials which can be alternatively employed for the refractory coating of filament 5 according to the invention are the oxides of aluminum (alumina), titanium (titania), beryllium (beryllia), thorium (thoria), magnesium (magnesia), calcium, molybdenum, iron, manganese, silicon, cobalt, nickel, and the rare earths (the rare earths have atomic numbers 57 to 71, inclusive, e. g. europium, cerium, gadolinium, etc.). Even in their most purified available forms, these oxides contain at least a few hundrethsv of a per cent of alkali impurities which evaporate as alkali ions during operation of the vapor detector to detect halogens. At the high temperatures of the coating during operation of the device, the oxides of these materials apparently possess semi-conductor properties which allow them to serve as insulators for the direct flow of current between filament 5 and electrode 6 but still permit the evaporation of alkali ions in the presence of halogens. While I do not fully understand the reasons for this dual nature of these materials, I realize that, if these materials remained relatively perfect insulators at high temperatures, continued alkali ion emission could not be obtained because the charge left by removal of a few positive ions from the surface of the coating would efiectivcly prevent further evaporation. Therefore, at the above specified temperatures these materials presumably become sufficiently good semi-conductors to allow migration of charge from the surface of the coating to the filament where the charge is neutralized, but at the same time retain sufiicient insulating properties to prevent electronic conduction between filament 5 and electrode 6 where the coating contacts electrode 6. For reasons of which I am not aware, the oxides of zirconium and hafnium do not serve as successful alkali ion emitters in the device, of'the invention. In any event, the process of. the evaporation of alkali ions from theabove-mentioned materials is fundamentally different from the evaporation of positive ions from the surface of a conductor.
The thickness of the coating uponfilament 5 is, as stated heretofore, preferably of the order of a few mils. The thickness should be as small as possible in order to reduce the bulkof absorbent material within the discharge device but still provide adequate alkali ion emission and insulation. The temperature to which the coating is heated preferably is as high as can be utilized without evaporation of the molecules of the selected material itself, i. e. the material must remain thermally stable. For the; materials of the invention. this temperature ranges from about 700 C. to about 1300 C. The material of filament 5 must, of course, be a conductor capable of withstanding the high temperatures of operation, e. g. tungsten, platinum, etc. The selected material of the coatingcan be deposited upon the filament in conventional fashion foroxide coatcdfilaments by spraying or otherwiselapplying a-colloidal suspension. of granules of the material upon the filament and thereafter baking to eva, oratc theliquid carrier. The filament can have convenient formsor shapes other-.than-the twisted configuration illustrated, in the,- figure, providing. sufiicient passages are provided within electrode 6 t to, permit. exposure of considerahlesurfaee-of, the coating to, vaporsv of halogens or their compounds. introduced into. the vacuum system. While itispreferable for electrodes to be tubular so that a maximum-number of :alkali ions evaporatedfromthe coating can. becollected, semi-tubular or other: convenient shapes can be. utilized.
Apartiallisttof. halogen compounds to :which-the device.
4 is sensitive is as follows. chloroform (CHCla), ferric chloride (FeCls), hydrochloric acid (I-ICl), bromobenzene (CsHsBr), methyl iodide (CHsI), monochlorobcnzene (CsHsCl), methylene chloride (CHzClz), methyl chloride (CHsCl), chlorodifiuoro methane (CHClFz), and trichloroethylene (CHClCClz).
As an example for the purpose of illustration only, I have used a direct voltage of 4.5 volts for source 8 and a direct voltage of 15 volts for source 9. With the device of the invention connected to a vacuum system in which the pressure was about 1X10 mm. Hg, I observed a reading of 1.10 microamperes upon meter 11. On introducing a small pressure of chloroben'ze'ne in the order of 10- mm. Hg the reading of meter 11 increased to 1.60 microamperes.
While I have shown and described particular embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the invention and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims. to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States:
1. In apparatus for selectively detecting halogen vapors and their compounds, an electrical discharge device comprising an evacuable envelope having a conduit opening thereinto for the introduction of vapors to be detected, positive ion generating means supported within said envelope and consisting of a filament coated with a coating a few mils thick of a refractory material selected from the group consisting of the oxides of aluminum, titanium, beryllium, thorium, magnesium, calcium, molybdenum, iron, manganese, silicon, cobalt, nickel and the rare earths, and which contains at least several hundredths percent of an alkali, said coated filament being the only positive ion emitter present within said envelope, and a positive ion collector electrode supported within said envelope closely adjacent to said coated filament.
2. In a vapor detector wherein alkali ions are selectively formed and collected in the presence of vapors of halogens and their compounds, an electrical discharge device comprising an evacuable envelope having a conduit opening thereinto for the introduction of vapors to be detected, positive ion generating means supported within said envelope and consisting of a filament coated with a coating a few mils of thick of a refractory material which is thermally stable at temperatures between 700 C. and 1300 C. and which contains at least several hundredths percent of an alkali, said coated filament being the only positive ion emitter present within said envelope and having both the property of an alkali ion emitter in the-presence of vapors of halogens and their compounds and the property of an insulator for electronic conduction at temperatures between 700 C. and 1300 C., and a cylindrical positive ion collector electrode supported within said envelope closely surrounding said coated filament.
3. In a vapordete'ctor wherein alkali ions are selectively formed and collected in the presence of vapors of halogensand their compounds an electrical discharge device. comprising an evacuable envclops having a conduit opening thereinto for the introduction of vapors to be detected, positive ion generating means supported within said envelope and consisting of a filament coated with a coating a few mils thick of a refractory material selected from the group consisting of the oxides of aluminum, titanium, beryllium, thorium, magnesium, calcium, molybdenum, iron, manganese, silicon, cobalt, nickel and the rare earths, and containingat least several hundredths percent of an alkali, said coated filament being the only positive ion emitter present within said envelope and having both the. property of' an alkali ionemitter in the presence of vaporsiof halogens'and their compounds and the property of an insulator for electronic conduction at temperatures between 700 C. and 1300 C., an'd apositive ion collector electrode supported within said envelope closely adjacent to said coated filament. v
4. The device of claim 3 in which the refractory coating upon the filament is alumina.
5. The device of claim 3 in which the refractory coating upon the filament is titania.
6. The device of claim 3 in which the refractory coating upon the filament is beryllia.
7. The device of claim 3 in which the refractory coating upon the filament is thoria.
8. The device of claim 3 in which the refractory coating upon the filament is magnesia.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS
Claims (1)
1. IN APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY DETECTING HALOGEN VAPORS AND THEIR COMPOUNDS, AN ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE DEVICE COMPRISING AN EVACUABLE ENVELOPE HAVING A CONDUIT OPENING THEREINTO FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF VAPOR TO BE DETECTED, POSITIVE ION GENERATING MEANS SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID ENVELOPE AND CONSISTING OF A FILAMENT COATED WITH A COATING A FEW MILS THICK OF A REFRACTORY MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF THE OXIDES OF ALUMINUM, TITANIUM, BERYLLIUM, THORIUM, MAGNESIUM, CALCIUM, MOLYBDENUM, IRON, MANGANESE, SILICON, COBALT, NICKEL AND THE RARE EARTHS, AND WHICH CONTAINS AT LEAST SEVERAL HUNDREDTHS PERCENT OF AN ALKALI, SAID COATED FILAMENT BEING THE ONLY POSITIVE ION EMITTER PRESENT WITHIN SAID ENVELOPE, AND A POSITIVE ION COLLECTOR ELECTRODE SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID ENVELOPE CLOSELY ADJACENT TO SAID COATED FILAMENT.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US305883A US2742585A (en) | 1952-08-22 | 1952-08-22 | Electrical vapor detector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US305883A US2742585A (en) | 1952-08-22 | 1952-08-22 | Electrical vapor detector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US2742585A true US2742585A (en) | 1956-04-17 |
Family
ID=23182774
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US305883A Expired - Lifetime US2742585A (en) | 1952-08-22 | 1952-08-22 | Electrical vapor detector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US2742585A (en) |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2979631A (en) * | 1958-05-14 | 1961-04-11 | Nat Res Corp | Process for the production of ion-emitting surfaces, particularly for halogen leak detectors |
| US3273005A (en) * | 1963-04-01 | 1966-09-13 | Gen Electric | Electron emitter utilizing nitride emissive material |
| US4095171A (en) * | 1976-04-07 | 1978-06-13 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Alkali metal ionization detector |
| US4282741A (en) * | 1979-04-25 | 1981-08-11 | General Electric Company | Device and method for detecting alkali metals |
| US4499054A (en) * | 1981-08-31 | 1985-02-12 | Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Cation emission type halogenated hydrocarbon gas detecting element |
| US4663297A (en) * | 1982-09-10 | 1987-05-05 | Yates Jr John T | Temperature programmed spectroscopy techniques |
| US4877584A (en) * | 1982-09-10 | 1989-10-31 | Yates Jr John T | Temperature programmed spectroscopy techniques |
| US5301537A (en) * | 1991-05-31 | 1994-04-12 | W. C. Wood Company Limited | Method for detecting halocarbon refrigerant leaks by usage of a continually heated mass spectrometer |
| USRE42192E1 (en) * | 2001-12-13 | 2011-03-01 | The University Of Wyoming Research Corporation | Volatile organic compound sensor system |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2164913A (en) * | 1935-03-06 | 1939-07-04 | Int Standard Electric Corp | Indirectly heated cathode |
| US2393650A (en) * | 1939-06-14 | 1946-01-29 | Cons Eng Corp | Apparatus for analyzing hydrocarbons |
| US2550498A (en) * | 1947-06-14 | 1951-04-24 | Gen Electric | Method and apparatus for electrically detecting vapors and the like |
-
1952
- 1952-08-22 US US305883A patent/US2742585A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2164913A (en) * | 1935-03-06 | 1939-07-04 | Int Standard Electric Corp | Indirectly heated cathode |
| US2393650A (en) * | 1939-06-14 | 1946-01-29 | Cons Eng Corp | Apparatus for analyzing hydrocarbons |
| US2550498A (en) * | 1947-06-14 | 1951-04-24 | Gen Electric | Method and apparatus for electrically detecting vapors and the like |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2979631A (en) * | 1958-05-14 | 1961-04-11 | Nat Res Corp | Process for the production of ion-emitting surfaces, particularly for halogen leak detectors |
| US3273005A (en) * | 1963-04-01 | 1966-09-13 | Gen Electric | Electron emitter utilizing nitride emissive material |
| US4095171A (en) * | 1976-04-07 | 1978-06-13 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Alkali metal ionization detector |
| US4282741A (en) * | 1979-04-25 | 1981-08-11 | General Electric Company | Device and method for detecting alkali metals |
| US4499054A (en) * | 1981-08-31 | 1985-02-12 | Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Cation emission type halogenated hydrocarbon gas detecting element |
| US4663297A (en) * | 1982-09-10 | 1987-05-05 | Yates Jr John T | Temperature programmed spectroscopy techniques |
| US4877584A (en) * | 1982-09-10 | 1989-10-31 | Yates Jr John T | Temperature programmed spectroscopy techniques |
| US5301537A (en) * | 1991-05-31 | 1994-04-12 | W. C. Wood Company Limited | Method for detecting halocarbon refrigerant leaks by usage of a continually heated mass spectrometer |
| US5490413A (en) * | 1991-05-31 | 1996-02-13 | Atkinson; John A. | Method and apparatus for detecting refrigerant leaks |
| USRE42192E1 (en) * | 2001-12-13 | 2011-03-01 | The University Of Wyoming Research Corporation | Volatile organic compound sensor system |
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