Mary B Nolan

US Patent:

44889518, Dec 18, 1984

Filed:

Nov 4, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/549344

Inventors:

Mary E. Nolan - Topsfield MA
Anthony B. LaConti - Lynnfield MA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

C25B 110
C25B 130
C25B 900

US Classification:

204129

Abstract:

The integrated electrochemical/chemical oxygen generating system of the invention includes a water electrolyzer combined with a chemical oxygen generating subsystem which converts hydrogen from the electrolyzer to a decomposable oxygen source such as hydrogen peroxide. The total oxygen output of such a system is greater than that possible from the electrolyzer alone while safely disposing of the electrochemically generated hydrogen.

US Patent:

42657148, May 5, 1981

Filed:

Mar 24, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/133163

Inventors:

Mary E. Nolan - Topsfield MA
John A. Kosek - Danvers MA
Anthony B. La Conti - Lynnfield MA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G01N 2752

US Classification:

204 1T

Abstract:

A gas detecting and measuring device and method highly selective for the detection of certain gases is described. The gas detector is capable of detecting and measuring a gas which can be electrochemically oxidized or electrochemically reduced at a voltage of between about 0. 6 and 1. 5 volts relative to a standard hydrogen electrode. The gas detecting and measuring device and process are highly selective for the oxides of nitrogen (NO. sub. x) and chlorine. The gas detecting device utilizes a hydrated, solid polymer electrolyte ion transporting membrane in electrical contact with an improved catalytic graphite sensing electrode. For detecting an oxidizable gas such as nitric oxide (NO), an improved graphite anode in contact with the solid polymer electrolyte is used with a cathode and a reference electrode as an electrochemical cell, and for detecting a reducible gas such as chlorine (Cl. sub. 2) or nitrogen dioxide (NO. sub. 2), an improved graphite cathode is used with an anode and a reference electrode as an electrochemical cell.

US Patent:

42279844, Oct 14, 1980

Filed:

Mar 1, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/016364

Inventors:

Russell M. Dempsey - Hamilton MA
Anthony B. LaConti - Lynnfield MA
Mary E. Nolan - Topsfield MA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G01N 2746

US Classification:

204195S

Abstract:

A compact electrochemical gas sensing cell is described for detecting gases such as carbon monoxide, NO. sub. 2, alcohol vapors, etc. The cell is characterized by temperature stability during zero-air operation so that background current with no gas flow is eliminated or minimized. This cell utilizes a hydrated, solid polymer electrolyte having reference, sensing and counter electrodes mounted on the surface thereof with one side of the membrane being flooded with distilled water to provide self-humidification of the cell by water vapor transport across the membrane. A potentiostatic circuit is utilized to control the potential on the sensing circuit and also to maintain a fixed potential difference between the reference and the sensing electrodes. In addition, the chemical, electrochemical, and thermal characteristics of the sensing and reference electrodes are matched so that the sensor is highly temperature invariant during zero-air operation. The sensing and reference electrodes are so positioned that the resistance of the current path between these electrodes is greater than 60 ohms.

US Patent:

41712536, Oct 16, 1979

Filed:

Feb 28, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/773136

Inventors:

Mary E. Nolan - Topsfield MA
Anthony B. La Conti - Lynnfield MA
Russell M. Dempsey - Hamilton MA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G01N 2746

US Classification:

204195S

Abstract:

A compact electrochemical gas sensing cell is described for detecting gases which are either immediately dangerous to health such as carbon monoxide, NO. sub. 2, etc. , or represent a social or public welfare risk. The latter area, for example, may require determining alcohol breath content of a driver of a motor vehicle. The cell uses a hydrated, solid polymer electrolyte which has sensing and reference electrodes positioned on one side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a counter electrode positioned on the other side. One side of the hydrated SPE membrane is flooded with distilled water so that incoming gases are brought to essentially 100% relative humidity by rapid vapor phase water transport across the membrane, thereby eliminating the need for external humidification in the form of bubblers and the like. An ionically conductive hydrated SPE bridge is formed on one side of the membrane and is located spatially to provide a low resistance path between the reference and sensing electrodes.