Detection of refrigerant contaminants

US10416113B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CARRIER CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Lei Chen · South Windsor, US
• Zhiwei Yang · Laishui, CN
• Antonio M. Vincitore · South Windsor, US
• Michael L. Perry · Glastonbury, US
• Warren Clough · Cicero, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 20, 2015
• Grant date: Sep 17, 2019
• Expiry date: Jan 12, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N33/0036
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A gas sensor for detecting one or more contaminants in a refrigerant includes a housing having disposed therein a membrane electrode assembly comprising a sensing electrode, a counter electrode, and a solid polymer electrolyte disposed between the sensing electrode and the counter electrode. The sensing electrode comprises nanoparticles of a first catalyst comprising noble metal. The counter electrode comprises nanoparticles of a second catalyst comprising noble metal. The sensing electrode in the sensor has been preconditioned by exposure under a positive voltage bias to a preconditioning gas comprising the contaminant(s) or their precursors or derivatives.