Patent ID: 6526805
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for continuously analyzing and measuring the contents of gas and/or vapor components in an insulating fluid substantially on a real time basis, comprising:a gas extractor unit for separating the gases and/or vapor from the fluid, comprising a gas and/or vapor permeable polymer membrane and a gas chamber with one gas stream inlet and one gas stream outlet; an infrared gas analyzer for determining the concentration of individual gas or vapor components, comprising a collimated infrared source, a gas cell with a gas inlet and outlet at both ends, a quad detector having ultra narrow band optical infrared filters, each filter having a specified wavelength corresponding to said individual gas or vapor components, an infrared source controller having means for continuously adjusting the output power level of the infrared energy source to a fixed value, and a pyroelectric detector signal processor; a gas pump for recycling the gases and/or vapor to said gas extractor in a closed loop; and calibration means for said infrared gas analyzer including valve means for purging the gas and/or vapor components using air and resetting said collimated infrared source to zero.