US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Edgar F Croomes

James A Murfree, Jr

Disclosed is a detector for fumes of hydrazine and its derivatives, methydrazine (MMH) and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (UDMH). The detector encompasses a means for generating heat when fumes of hydrazine or its derivatives are catalytically decomposed after coming in contact with the active ingredient of the detector. The means for generating heat includes the active ingredient, iridium, which is deposited within and upon a ceramic pellet. The pellet is fitted with a thermal responsive means responsive to the generated heat. An output signal proportional to the generated heat can be interpreted by a balanced electronic bridge. The electronic bridge is balanced by preparing an unimpregnated pellet in the same way as the impregnated pellet and putting it in the circuit as a reference. The reference, being the same size and shape and prepared in the same manner, compensates for changes in temperature and other changes in the circuit, thus allowing one to zero the instrument. When the impregnated pellet comes into contact with fumes of hydrazine, MMH or UDMH, an imbalance is caused. The potential difference may be monitored by a meter, recorder, bell signal, etc. Neither the heat nor the catalytic action depletes the iridium or its action upon fumes of hydrazine and its derivative compounds.

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Athens, AL, United States of America

Edgar F Croomes