Abstract:
An assembly for separating molecular hydrogen from a volume of gas. The assembly includes a first conduit through which a gas at a first pressure flows, wherein the gas at least partially contains hydrogen. A second conduit intersects the first conduit. The second conduit is maintained at a pressure less than the first pressure of the first conduit. A hydrogen permeable membrane is disposed within the second conduit, wherein the membrane prevents the gas from flowing directly into the second conduit. Since the membrane is hydrogen permeable, a predetermined flow rate of hydrogen permeates through the membrane into the second conduit. The hydrogen permeable membrane contains a layer of hydrogen permeable material. The layer of hydrogen permeable material has a top surface and a bottom surface. A first metal mesh element is bonded to the top surface of the layer of hydrogen permeable material. Similarly, a second metal mesh element is bonded to the bottom surface of the layer of hydrogen permeable material, wherein the hydrogen permeable material is deformed into the second metal mesh. The mesh element supports the thin hydrogen permeable layer and prevents it from rupturing or collapsing.
Abstract:
Apparatus for determining the physical uniformity of a charged drum surface wherein current signals are induced in sensing electrodes in response to variation in drum surface charge. The sensing electrodes are on a detector assembly which is movable toward the drum for inspection of the surface and movable away from the drum after inspection when the drum is to be ejected from the apparatus. The detector assembly is movable through another degree of freedom to accommodate irregularities in drum geometry encountered during rotation thereof. The detector assembly also is provided with structure for maintaining a predetermined spacing of the sensing electrodes from the drum surface during relative movement therebetween. The drum is received, held, and rotated by co-operation between a drum retention assembly and a drum clamping mechanism. The retention assembly includes an arrangement of retainer arms which contact the drum inner surface and which are collapsed in response to forcible engagement of the drum by the drum clamping mechanism to allow rotation of the drum. The drum clamping mechanism is adjustable in two directions to accommodate various drum geometries, and it is movable away from the drum after inspection when the drum is to be ejected. An eject mechanism operatively associated with the drum retention assembly moves an inspected drum out of the apparatus to allow entry of a next drum to be inspected.
Abstract:
A non contact voltmeter includes a multilayered structure adapted to configure a plurality of coupled capacitors in a manner to permit high speed operation. A high frequency input signal is applied to a plate capacitivity coupled to both the test object and a sensor. The structure is also configured to capacitivity couple the sensor directly to the test object. The structure allows for circuit configurations with low time constants permitting outputs at the input frequency as well as a small and inexpensive solid state configuration.
Abstract:
The accuracy of measurements made to determine the extent of water vapor trapped upon encapsulation of an electronic device is significantly enhanced by carefully controlling the measurement technique employed. In particular, the encapsulant is generally punctured and the water vapor thus released is monitored. It has been found that to obtain an accurate measurement of the magnitude of the water vapor released, this measurement must be made within 0.1 second of the time of encapsulant punctured and released into a glass system. By using an absorption technique with suitable electronics, this time requirement is fulfilled and significantly more accurate quantitative measurements of entrapped water vapor are obtained.
Abstract:
A hydrogen purification method that is used to separate hydrogen gas from a source gas. A hydrogen separator is provided that has at least one hydrogen permeable tube. A support tube is provided for each hydrogen permeable tube. A support tube is coaxially aligned with the hydrogen permeable tube, wherein a micro-channel exists between the hydrogen permeable tube and the support tube in an area of overlap. A tubular wire structure is placed within the micro-channel. The tubular wire structure is coated with catalyst material. The source gas is introduced into the micro-channel. The source gas spreads thinly past the tubular wire structure in the micro-channel. The restrictions of the micro-channel cause the source gas to embody turbulent flow characteristics as it flows. The turbulent flow causes the hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from the source gas in a highly efficient manner.
Abstract:
A system and method of recovering some of the latent heat of vaporization in a system having a heated environment that adds heat to liquid material and converts the liquid material into gaseous material. The latent heat of vaporization is partially recovered using a unique heat exchanger. The heat exchanger preheats the liquid material entering the heated environment with heat energy from the gaseous material exiting the heated environment. The heat exchanger has a gas flow path. A volume of a gas medium fills the gas flow path. A pump causes the gas medium to flow through the gas flow path at a predetermined mass flow rate. The gas medium and its flow rate are selected to ensure that the specific heat of the gas medium surpasses that of the gaseous material exiting the heated environment.
Abstract:
A tube matrix and the corresponding method of joining a plurality of tubes to a base plate to create the tube matrix. The tube matrix has a base plate from which a plurality of parallel tubes extend. The base plate has holes formed though it to receive the tubes. The tubes are placed into the holes on the base plate. The tubes may have end flares that abut against the base plate and prevent the tubes from completely passing through the base plate. Once the tubes are in place in the holes of the base plate, the tubes and base plate are welded together with individual laser welds. The laser welds enable a very dense matrix of tubes to be welded to the base plate without damaging or obstructing the tubes.
Abstract:
A power generation system and a fuel processor for use therein. The system produces steam from a water supply. A highly heated reaction chamber is provided. A common hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with water and introduced into the heated reaction chamber. The hydrocarbon fuel and water react at pressure and temperature, producing less complex gases. The resultant gases are passed into a hydrogen separator that is directly swept with steam. The hydrogen separator separates hydrogen from the resultant gases. The separated hydrogen is carried away from the hydrogen separator by the steam, thereby making the hydrogen separator more efficient. The hydrogen is separated from the steam is used to power a fuel cell. The fuel cell produces electricity and water is recycled back into the system.
Abstract:
A looped circuit for generating a variable bias voltage. The looped circuit includes a variable current source having a current output that is dependent upon the variable bias voltage. The looped circuit also includes a capacitor that is periodically coupled to the current source for a predetermined period of time, wherein the current source charges the capacitor during each predetermined period of time. At least one subcircuit is provided for varying the variable bias voltage, wherein the variable bias voltage automatically causes the current source to charge the capacitor to a predetermined reference voltage during each predetermined period of time. Accordingly, the generated bias voltage will vary with temperature and other external variables. However, the ratio of the current produced by the current source divided by the capacitance of the capacitor is equal to the ratio of the predetermined reference voltage divided by the referenced predetermined period of time. This ratio remains constant regardless of variations in process and temperature.
Abstract:
A hand-held, low cost, low voltage surface resistivity meter is provided by a contact surface which is essentially independent of the geometry of the surface to be measured. The use of special materials for the contact surface permits increased accuracy to be achieved at low voltages. Recognition that readings shown simply to the power of 10 are fully useful in characterizing a measured material permits a low cost, low voltage arrangement for the meter.