Patent ID: 8051953

Claim:
A hydrogen cooled generator comprising: a rotary member including a first end that extends to a second end, the rotary member being configured and disposed to be exposed to a hydrogen gas coolant; and at least one lubricant drain system operatively associated with the rotary member, the at least one lubricant drain system including: a drain conduit having a first end section that extends to a second end section, the first end section being fluidly associated with the rotary member; a hydrogen detraining tank fluidly coupled to the second end section of the drain conduit, the hydrogen detraining tank including a body portion having an external surface and an internal surface that defines a hollow interior portion, the hydrogen detraining tank being configured and disposed to separate hydrogen gas coolant entrained in a lubricant passing from the drain conduit; a sensor operatively mounted in the hydrogen detraining tank, the sensor being configured and disposed to detect an interface zone between an amount of lubricant and an amount of hydrogen gas in the hollow interior portion; a drain line fluidly coupled to the hydrogen detraining tank, the drain line having a first end portion that is exposed in the hollow interior portion and a second end portion; a valve mounted in the drain line between the first and second end portions, the valve being configured to control fluid flow through the drain line; and a controller operatively connected to the sensor and the valve, the controller being configured and disposed to selectively open the valve allowing a portion of the amount of lubricant to flow from the hollow interior portion when the interface zone is above the first end portion of the drain line.