Apparatus and method for detecting the loss of vacuum
US4484818A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 1982 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M3/226
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In high voltage vacuum interrupters and similar devices, it is desirable to provide some indication that vacuum conditions within the containment vessel have degraded . Advantage is taken of the fact that metallic barium forms a substantially opaque and reflective film but that barium oxide, formed as a result of air penetrating the vacuum, forms a nonreflective and substantially transparent film. In the present invention, a housing is provided with means for attachment to the vacuum vessel with the housing having at least one light-transmissive portion. A barium film is disposed on at least one of these light-transmissive portions and means for detecting changes in the optical characteristics of the barium film are also provided. In this way, degradation in vacuum condition, evidenced by oxidation of the barium film, results in a signal indicating that contamination of the vacuum condition has occurred.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.