Patent ID: 6820464
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: G01M,Y02E

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting a leak of pressurized hydrogen from a system for storing and/or transporting a volume of the pressurized hydrogen, the system comprising at least one vessel and at least one semi-permeable sealant having an outer surface wherein the semi-permeable sealant permits transport of hydrogen, but does not permit transport of the odorant into the hydrogen or an atmosphere surrounding the outer surface of the sealant, comprising:an odorant material encapsulated on the sealant, at least a portion of the odorant material having at least one detectable odor, detectable by a sense of smell of a living being, wherein a flow of the pressurized gas flows from the vessel through the sealant, whereby the flow of the pressurized gas picks up and transmits a portion of the odorant material into the atmosphere surrounding the outer surface of the sealant wherein at least a portion of the odorant material is encapsulated on the sealant with a polymer selected from a group consisting of a rubbery polymer, a glassy polymer, and combinations thereof, the rubbery polymer being selected from a group consisting of a polydimethyl siloxanes, poly phasphazenes, and combinations thereof, and the glassy polymer being selected from a group consisting of polyimides, polysulfones, polyamides, polyarylates, polyolefins, polyetherketones, polycarbonates, polydienes, polytetrafluroethane, polyvinyalidine-fluoride, polyetherimides, and combinations thereof.