Getter system for hydrogen sensitive devices

Abstract

Solutions for integrating hydrogen getter in powder form within hydrogen sensitive devices, and hydrogen sensitive devices employing such solutions are described. One of such solutions is a hydrogen getter system with a metallic mesh with closed extremities containing material powders.

1 . Hydrogen getter system comprising a metallic mesh with closed extremities containing getter material powders characterized in that:
 the metallic mesh openings are comprised between 10 and 200 micron;   the getter material powders have dimensions comprised between 50 and 3000 micron; and   the ratio between the smallest dimension of the getter material powders and the mesh size openings is 2 or higher.   
     
     
         2 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 1  wherein said ratio is 3 or higher. 
     
     
         3 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 1  wherein the metallic mesh forms a cylindrical container for said getter material powders. 
     
     
         4 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 3  wherein said cylindrical container has diameter comprised between 5 and 25 mm. 
     
     
         5 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 3  wherein said cylindrical container has a length comprised between 100 and 500 mm. 
     
     
         6 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 1  wherein the closed extremities have coupling means for their reciprocal coupling. 
     
     
         7 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 6  wherein said coupling means are elastic. 
     
     
         8 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 7  wherein the closed extremities coupling comprises one or more springs. 
     
     
         9 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 8  wherein said spring comprises shape memory elements. 
     
     
         10 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 6  wherein the closed extremities coupling comprises a shape memory or superelastic element. 
     
     
         11 . Hydrogen getter system according to  claim 10  wherein said coupling further comprises one or more springs. 
     
     
         12 . Hydrogen sensitive device comprising a hydrogen getter system comprising a metallic mesh with closed extremities containing getter material powders characterized in that:
 the metallic mesh openings are comprised between 10 and 200 micron;   the getter material powders have dimensions comprised between 50 and 3000 micron; and   the ratio between the smallest dimension of the getter material powders and the mesh size openings is 2 or higher.   
     
     
         13 . Hydrogen sensitive device according to  claim 12  wherein said getter system is hold in place within the sensitive device by elastic forces. 
     
     
         14 . Hydrogen sensitive device according to  claim 13  wherein said elastic forces are due to a radius increase of the getter system. 
     
     
         15 . Hydrogen sensitive device according to  claim 13  wherein said elastic forces are due to a radius decrease of the getter system. 
     
     
         16 . Hydrogen sensitive device according to  claim 12  wherein said device is a receiving tube for solar collector.